Incheon 2014 turn on the style by including PSY among Opening Ceremony performers

By Nick Butler

A clear message of Asian unity rather than any "flaunting of national power" will be the theme for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Incheon 2014 Asian Games, but the presence of "Gangnam Style" star DJ PSY is the clear highlight.

He will feature alongside other leading K-pop artists, including JYJ, EXO, CNBlu and SISTAR, with Chinese pianist Lang Lang expected to perform alongside them.

This comes as a welcome boost after the Pyeongchang 2018 segment of the Closing Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games earlier this year received criticism from some quarters for embracing only traditional South Korean values rather than modern elements.

Speaking at the National Museum of Modern Art in Seoul, artistic director Jang Jin claimed they had adopted a different aim from other major sporting ceremonies of recent years.

"Unlike the previous Asian Games and Olympics that focused on flaunting their national power, such as 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, 2012 London Olympics, and 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2014 Incheon Asian Games won't simply show off a scale but try to deliver a clear message," he said.

"It will tell the dream of 4.5 billion Asians, Asia as one."

Incheon will seek a different sort of Opening Ceremony from the one seen in 2010 in Guangzhou ©AFP/Getty Images

Jang, one of the host nation's foremost film directors and playwrights over recent decades, added that the Ceremonies will rouse all participants' empathy with story-telling performances and unique choreography in harmony with Korean-styled ideas and creativity.

He also announced other features of the Ceremony, due to begin at 6pm local time on September 19, with the main part due to develop a story composed of four acts, from "Asia long time ago", "Asia meeting through the sea", "Asia as family and friends", and to "Asia as one and future joining with today".

Leading South Korean actors Chang Dong-Geon and Kim Soo-Hyun will lead the stories, with Chang narrating the first story and Kim appearing through a video during the second stage.

Classical music will also feature, with violist Richard Yong-Jae O'Neil and cellist Song Young-Hoon among the performers, but it is the presence of a wide variety of K-pop stars which will generate most attention, both in South Korea and overseas.

Executive director Lim Kwon-Taek is confident with preparations for both ceremonies ©Incheon 2014

Lim Kwon-Taek, the executive director of the Incheon 2014 Ceremonies, is confident preparations are progressing well.

"All the staff for this event is comprised of the best directing team and the best cast," said Lim.

"Everyone is working hard to make the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Incheon Asian Games, which begins in 20 days.

"It will be a festival that builds harmony and consideration for others, and it is hoped that everyone pays close attention and will be able to participate in such a meaningful event."

The Games in Incheon are due begin on September 19 and continue until October 4.