Culture Ministry to Distribute 240,000 Performance Discount Vouchers Worth 10,000 Won Every Friday on a First-Come, First-Served Basis

Applicable to plays, musicals, and more; excludes pop music and popular dance
Vouchers must be used by midnight of the following Thursday after issuance

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that, starting May 22, it will distribute 240,000 performance discount vouchers in the first phase through online ticketing platforms and non-capital region cultural centers, in collaboration with the Korea Arts Management Service and the Arts Council Korea. This initiative aims to expand public access to the performing arts and revitalize the performing arts market.

From 10:00 a.m. on May 22, the discount vouchers will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis via five online ticketing platforms (Naver Reservation, Nol Universe, YES24, Time Ticket, and Ticket Link), with up to two vouchers per person per platform. The vouchers distributed during the first phase (from May 22 to August 20) can be used for performances taking place up to September 3, based on the performance date. Eligible genres include plays, musicals, Western music (classical), Korean traditional music (gugak), dance, and multidisciplinary performances. However, pop music and popular dance performances are excluded.

The issuance of vouchers is managed on a weekly basis. Every Friday from 10:00 a.m. until midnight the following Thursday, vouchers can be obtained and used via each ticketing platform. For example, vouchers received between May 22 and May 28 must be used by May 28; if not used within the period, they will automatically expire.

Each voucher provides a discount of 10,000 won, and one voucher can be used per transaction (up to two per platform). Even if the ticket price is lower than the voucher amount, the voucher can be applied if the total payment exceeds 15,000 won when purchasing multiple tickets together. The voucher can also be combined with existing discounts offered by the ticketing platforms.

To expand cultural access for local residents and promote regional performances, dedicated vouchers for performances held at non-capital region venues (excluding Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon) will also be provided. These vouchers will be issued via three online ticketing platforms (Naver Reservation, Time Ticket, and Ticket Link), with up to two additional vouchers per person. For seniors and people with disabilities who are less familiar with online booking, a telephone support line will be available; each ticketing platform will assist with voucher issuance via phone guidance.

On-site discounts will also be available at non-capital region cultural centers for digitally vulnerable groups. Eligible groups include seniors aged 55 and above, people with disabilities, low-income groups, and farmers or fishers. For planned performances at non-capital region cultural centers with ticket prices exceeding 10,000 won, a discount of 10,000 won per ticket will be provided at the on-site box office. The list of participating cultural centers and eligible performances can be found on the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System website.

This distribution of discount vouchers utilizes a portion of the 2026 supplementary budget of 4.1 billion won (for 400,000 vouchers) that was secured to expand access to the performing arts and boost the performing arts market. The remaining budget will be used for the second distribution of vouchers scheduled for September.

A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism policy official stated, "We hope this support for performing arts ticket prices will enable the public to enjoy the performing arts more closely in their daily lives and help revitalize the performing arts sector," adding, "The Ministry will continue to make efforts so that all citizens can enjoy culture and the arts."

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