Expanding Family-Oriented Cultural Spaces Enhances Residents' Quality of Life and Revitalizes Old Downtown Areas
[Haenam＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, is establishing Haenam Cinema and the Youth Nurim Culture Center, which opened in July, as key hubs of local culture.
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According to the county on the 20th, the newly constructed four-story building in the old downtown area of Haenam-eup is utilized as Haenam Cinema on the first floor and the Youth Nurim Culture Center on the second and third floors.
With cultural and leisure spaces for families including youth gathered in one place, not only has the living standard of residents improved significantly, but it has also created an opportunity to revitalize the old downtown area, which had been experiencing severe depopulation.
As a key project of the 7th local government administration, Haenam-gun has been promoting the construction of a small cinema and a youth complex cultural center to address the lack of family-oriented cultural spaces in rural fishing and farming areas and to support creative leisure activities for youth.
By linking the small cinema and youth center in one building, the efficiency of project implementation has been enhanced, attracting a diverse flow of people and playing a significant role in revitalizing the stagnant original downtown economy.
In particular, Haenam Cinema, the first movie theater to open in Haenam in over 30 years, has resolved the long-standing wish of residents who had to travel to other regions to watch movies since local theaters closed in the mid-1990s.
In its first month alone, it attracted about 5,000 visitors, the highest among small cinemas nationwide, and as of December 13, the fifth month since opening, the cumulative audience reached 19,389, showing great popularity.
The Youth Nurim Culture Center, which began operation on the same day, is also thriving as a cultural and leisure space exclusively for local youth.
Since its opening, over 6,700 people have used the center, playing a vital role in securing cultural spaces in rural county-level areas where youth facilities are lacking.
The center offers a total of nine spaces including various program rooms and classrooms, and youth aged 9 to 24 can use most facilities free of charge.
While operating high-quality regular courses focused on experiential lectures that are difficult to experience at school, the center has also strengthened weekend content and added classes for youth in rural areas, establishing itself as a truly youth-tailored space.
By operating a youth complex cultural center where young people can enjoy diverse cultural experiences in state-of-the-art facilities, the shortage of youth infrastructure in rural areas is being addressed, and it is also contributing to improving the local educational environment.
In fact, with the opening of Haenam Cinema and the Youth Nurim Culture Center, the economic revitalization effect in the old downtown area is becoming noticeably evident.
As family audiences increase, customers using restaurants, convenience stores, and grocery stores around the cinema have also increased significantly, and the formation of various commercial districts is helping small business owners who have been struggling due to COVID-19.
The county plans to devote full efforts to the activation of Haenam Cinema and the Youth Nurim Culture Center, as they have had a great effect on residents’ cultural life enjoyment and local commercial revitalization.
County Governor Myeong Hyun-gwan said, “With the establishment of the cinema and youth center, which were long-awaited by Haenam residents, the local cultural enjoyment index has noticeably increased,” adding, “We will continue to strive to improve the quality of life for our residents and create more opportunities for happiness through culture.”
Haenam=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun kh0424@asiae.co.kr
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