Oh Young-su and Monica Take the Lead in Promoting 'Korean Performance Tourism'

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Appoints Ambassadors for 'Korean Performance Tourism' and '2022 Welcome Daehangno' Promotion

On the 26th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 25th that two individuals were appointed as the 'Korea Performance Tourism Ambassadors' and '2022 Welcome Daehangno Ambassadors' respectively, to encourage tourists from around the world to visit Korea more often. Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Actor Oh Youngsoo and choreographer Monica are joining forces to promote Korean performing arts tourism.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 25th that the two were appointed as the 'Korean Performing Arts Tourism Ambassadors' and '2022 Welcome Daehangno Ambassadors,' respectively, to attract more global tourists to Korea.

Oh Youngsoo, appointed as the 'Korean Performing Arts Tourism Ambassador,' joined the theater troupe Gwangjang in 1967. For over 50 years, he has appeared in nearly 200 productions mainly centered in Daehangno and continues to be actively involved in theater.

Last year, he elevated the status of Korean popular culture through the Netflix drama Squid Game, winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series?the first Korean actor to do so. He plans to promote Korean performing arts as another facet of the Korean Wave globally and lead efforts to revitalize Korean performing arts tourism.

Monica, appointed as the '2022 Welcome Daehangno Ambassador,' sparked a dance craze in Korea through the show Street Woman Fighter. Her performances, which expanded the boundaries of dance, were loved by viewers. Her passion and creativity for dance are expected to create synergy with the '2022 Welcome Daehangno' festival. She is anticipated to contribute to promoting Korea’s diverse performing arts culture and works worldwide, focusing on Daehangno, the hub of performing arts tourism.

Since 2017, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with the Korea Tourism Organization and the Korea Performing Arts Tourism Association, has held the Daehangno performing arts tourism festival, 'Welcome Daehangno.' Due to COVID-19 prevention measures, the event was held online in recent years, but this year it will take place from September 24 to October 30 in the Daehangno area as '2022 Welcome Daehangno.' The festival will feature 100 performances along with permanent and street performances such as 'Welcome Theater,' 'Welcome Fringe,' and online performances 'Welcome K-Stage,' offering various events for domestic and international tourists to enjoy together.

A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official said, "We plan to promote Daehangno as a world-class performing arts tourism destination through actor Oh Youngsoo, who symbolizes Daehangno, and Monica, who pioneered a new realm of the Korean Wave through choreography. Just as tourists visiting New York see a Broadway show, the ministry will strive to make Daehangno a renowned performing arts tourism spot."