Miryang, Now Below 100,000 Residents, Finds a Path Through Arirang and Young Entrepreneurship

Minister Choi Hwiyoung Attends Miryang Arirang Arts Group Performance and Byotnui Entrepreneurs Meeting
Expresses Commitment to Supporting Regional Content While Inspecting Culture City Sites
"We Will Support Local Initiatives So They Go Beyond the Local"

In Miryang, Gyeongnam, where the population has dropped below 100,000, old hanok houses and the time-honored Arirang are being transformed into experimental platforms for local culture and tourism.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwee-young Choi is taking a commemorative photo with the members of the Miryang Arirang Art Troupe after watching their performance of "Look at Me" at Miryang Hyanggyo in Gyeongnam on the 14th. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

On May 14, Choi Hwiyoung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, visited Miryang, a designated Culture City, attended a performance by the Miryang Arirang Arts Group, and met with local young entrepreneurs at the multi-purpose cultural space 'Byotnui' to discuss ways to build a sustainable regional cultural ecosystem.

Miryang was designated as a Culture City in 2021 and is now in its fifth year. The project aims to improve the region's cultural environment—including content, spaces, and talent—by utilizing unique local cultural assets. Miryang received the top evaluation for two consecutive years in the 2024 and 2025 performance reviews, and, based on its 2024 achievements, was selected as the "Culture City of the Year."

Minister Choi first watched the original play "Look at Me" by the Miryang Arirang Arts Group at Miryang Hyanggyo. This performance reinterprets Miryang Arirang, the city's representative cultural asset, through song, acting, and dance. Composed of student members, the Miryang Arirang Arts Group has been selected for three consecutive years, starting in 2024, for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's "Local Representative Arts Group Support Project."

On the 14th, the Miryang Arirang Arts Troupe will perform 'Look at Me' at Miryang Hyanggyo. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

After the performance, Minister Choi gave a standing ovation and remarked, "I did not expect to be so moved here in Miryang," adding, "We will spare no effort to support and pay attention to local artists so they can continue their cultural activities with stability."

Next, Minister Choi visited Byotnui, a multi-purpose cultural space created by renovating an old hanok. Byotnui has become a regional cultural hub in Miryang, attracting 64,000 visitors last year. Since April this year, it has also hosted Wednesday music concerts as part of the expanded "Culture Day" program.

Among the local entrepreneurs present were Shin Yujin, CEO of Yujin Atrium; Park Jinwon, CEO of Gullimdang; Seo Bohyun, CEO of Red Apple Farm; and Hyun Dream, CEO of Gu-inong. They proposed various ideas such as revitalizing flea markets, increasing the value-added processing of local agricultural products, expanding regional cultural events, and improving age criteria for youth support programs.

Minister Choi stated, "K-Food is also a part of K-Culture," and emphasized, "The moment agricultural, marine, and processed foods enter the kitchen, they become culture." He continued, "Local does not have to remain local. It may start here, but it can expand outward," adding, "The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue seeking ways to promote active cooperation and exchange among local entrepreneurs."

Through this visit, the ministry plans to assess whether the Culture City project is taking root in the local community and to explore support measures to ensure that young entrepreneurs and local arts groups can continue their activities.

Minister Choi said, "When there are successful cases, good opportunities will follow for the next generation," adding, "We will work together to create new value through culture."

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