Sejong Center for the Performing Arts to Revamp 'Creative Theater'... "From Venue to Content Producer"

Restoring the Identity of a Professional Arts Group through Change and Innovation in the Daegwan Image
Establishment of Sejong Season Program and Reform of Operation Methods

On the 21st, Ahn Ho-sang, President of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, announced the rebuilding plan of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts at a briefing on the 'Sejong Center Operation Strategy and Introduction of the 2022 Sejong Season.' Photo by Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Sejong Center for the Performing Arts will relaunch as a production theater through changes in space and operation methods.

On the 21st, An Hosang, president of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, announced plans for rebuilding the Sejong Center at a briefing on 'Sejong Center Operation Strategy and Introduction of the 2022 Sejong Season.'

Having previously succeeded in operating the National Theater on a seasonal basis, President An declared his intention to lead Sejong Center as an "arts troupe-centered production theater."

At the briefing, President An said, "Starting with a feasibility study this year, followed by design, we plan to begin full-scale construction around 2026, aiming for completion in 2028."

Sejong Center is Korea's representative theater, housing the largest auditorium with 3,033 seats, the 609-seat M Theater, a flexible S Theater, a Chamber Hall, and an art gallery. However, its operation has been mainly rental-based, leading to criticism of insufficient production capabilities.

Accordingly, the space will be renovated, and based on six affiliated professional arts troupes?Korean traditional orchestra, dance, musical, theater, opera, and choir?the center will transform into an arts troupe-centered production theater.

The space will be renovated by supplementing the current main auditorium, M Theater, and S Theater, and expanding rehearsal spaces for the arts troupes. Additionally, the current Sejong Center organization will relocate to the second Sejong Center in Mullae-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, scheduled for completion in 2026.

President An explained, "In the past, Sejong Center's competitors were only other theaters, but after COVID-19, digital distribution platforms like Netflix have emerged and will become powerful intermediaries delivering performance content. We are facing difficulties in terms of revenue, so change is necessary."

Starting this year, Sejong Center will organize programs centered on works by its affiliated arts troupes, including the 'Sejong Spring Season' and the 'Sejong Fall/Winter Season.' In summer, it will operate 'Sync Next,' a program to meet the best contemporary artists.

Sejong Bob Season Poster. Photo by Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

The Sejong Spring Season (March 26?June 26) performances revealed on this day consist of a total of 9 works and 61 shows, of which 8 works and 55 shows are performances by affiliated arts troupes.

The opening work of the 2022 Sejong Spring Season is Seoul City Theater's 'Bulga Bulga' (March 26?April 10), which depicts the political reality of the 1980s through metaphor and symbolism. The Musical Troupe will present the grand production 'Fiddler on the Roof' (April 22?May 8), featuring dynamic ensemble dance and magnificent orchestral melodies, and the Seoul City Dance Company will showcase 'Ilmu (佾舞)' (May 19?22) in collaboration with designer Jung Kuho, who has expanded his activities across the cultural and artistic fields.

As a planned performance, the Sejong Chamber Series 'Dither Schubert,' composed of Schubert's chamber music works, will be presented to the audience. Following that, 'Sync Next' (June 23?September 2), featuring the best contemporary artists, will run with a total of 12 works and 49 shows. The opening work 'Ahn Eunmi Solo,' starring Ahn Eunmi, Jang Younggyu, and Baek Hyunjin?who have attracted global attention in the dance world?will be followed by diverse experimental performances including contemporary dance, Korean traditional music, creative opera, musical, and theater by Ambiguous Dance Company, Ilan Chil Band, Kimchi and Chips, and others.

A generational change to lead innovation was also implemented. President An stated, "Kim Seongguk, head of the Korean Traditional Orchestra, Kim Deokhee, head of the Musical Troupe, and Park Hyejin, head of the Opera Troupe, were all born in the 1970s and have actively accumulated professional expertise and field experience in their respective fields. They will inject new vitality into the planning and production of arts troupe performances."

On this day, Sejong Center also unveiled a new corporate identity (CI) symbolizing the building's front pillars, stage curtains, and the principles of Hangul creation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.