"'Pioneer of Performance Filming Projects' Go Hak-chan, Former President of Seoul Arts Center, Passes Away"

Former Seoul Arts Center President Ko Hak-chan passed away on the 4th at the age of 77.

Ko Hak-chan, former president of the Seoul Arts Center.
Photo by Yonhap News

The Seoul Arts Center announced on the 5th that former president Ko Hak-chan, who served as the 14th and 15th president of the Seoul Arts Center from 2013 to 2019, passed away on the 4th due to an illness.

Ko was born in Jeju Island and graduated from Hanyang University with a degree in Theater and Film. In 1970, he joined Tongyang Broadcasting Company (TBC) as a PD. His directed works include the popular radio drama "Son Ogong," the comedy program "Joatgun Joasseo," and the entertainment program "Jangsu Manse." From 1977, he also worked as a broadcast writer.

After the media consolidation in 1980 led to the dissolution of TBC, Ko moved to the United States with his family. In the U.S., he worked as the programming director at New York KABS-TV and hosted the first Korean-language broadcast in America.

Upon returning to Korea, Ko served as the director of Q Channel at Cheil Worldwide, adjunct professor in the playwriting department at Seoul Institute of the Arts, and general director of the broadcasting division at Samsung Video Business Group. He also operated the small theater Yundang Art Hall in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, introducing various theatrical works.

He later served as president of the Korea Culture and Arts Centers Association and was appointed president of the Seoul Arts Center in 2013.

Ko was the only president in the history of the Seoul Arts Center to be reappointed, serving as the 14th and 15th president. During his six-year term, he promoted the performance video project, which was the first in Korea to film outstanding repertoire performances and screen them domestically and internationally, contributing to the popularization of the arts. He personally planned and hosted the "Seoul Arts Center Night of Art Songs" over 60 times.

Even after retirement, Ko continued to take on new challenges. In 2019, through his YouTube channel "Ko Hak-chan's Begin Again," he pursued his dream of becoming a singer and made a "late debut" by holding a solo concert in Insadong at the age of 75. On his Instagram, he presented himself as a fashion model, showcasing "senior fashion."

In 2021, as chairman of the Hanyang University alumni volunteer group, he actively engaged in activities such as hosting an exchange concert with the Brandenburg State Youth Choir in Germany.

He is survived by his wife, Ahn Jung-hee. The funeral is being held at Hanyang University Hospital Funeral Hall. The funeral procession will take place at 1 p.m. on the 7th.

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