The Acoustic Equipment of the 'Sweden Wangnip Opera House' Has Arrived at 'Seocho Munhwa Yesul Hoegwan'

Introduction of Realistic Sound and Variable Reverberation Systems through Remodeling
First Domestic Venue to Have Both Systems Simultaneously

Performance hall of Seocho Culture and Arts Center. Provided by Seocho-gu.

High-quality performances including classical music, musicals, and operas will be held at the Seocho Culture and Arts Center, which has been renovated with state-of-the-art sound facilities. Seocho-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jeon Seong-su) announced on the 19th that the Seocho Culture and Arts Center in Yangjae-dong has been transformed into a cutting-edge cultural facility where vivid sound and stunning visuals can be enjoyed, and performances will begin from the 21st.

The Seocho Culture and Arts Center was originally a community center that was remodeled into a culture and arts center in 2016. However, the sound and lighting facilities of the performance hall had become outdated, and there was a lack of space for performers. Through this remodeling, the performance facilities, waiting rooms, and lobby have been newly renovated to be user-customized.

The performance hall has introduced an immersive sound system that provides surround effects and three-dimensional sound, as well as a “variable reverberation system” that adjusts the reverberation time of the hall from 1 to 3 seconds to create an optimized acoustic environment for various genres of performances. The variable reverberation system is an acoustic technology also installed in the Tokyo International Forum Hall, Warsaw Opera House in Poland, and the Royal Swedish Opera House.

The Seocho Culture and Arts Center is the only performance hall in Korea to have both of these systems installed simultaneously. Through this remodeling, the center is evaluated to have acquired a world-class acoustic environment.

In addition, a large LED screen has been installed in the center to provide vivid stages to the audience, and ceiling lighting has been added to further enhance the quality of performances, according to the district office. For the convenience of performers, waiting rooms and movement routes have been improved, and the number of seats for the disabled has been increased from 6 to 10. Along with the remodeling, the ticket reservation system has also been revamped to allow seat selection.

As this is the nation’s first introduction of a state-of-the-art sound system, the district plans to invite a top-level sound director to hold a “sound demonstration” that simultaneously implements and delivers immersive sound and the variable reverberation system.

District Mayor Jeon Seong-su said, “The introduction of this state-of-the-art sound system has provided a turning point for the Seocho Culture and Arts Center to be reborn as a high-quality cultural facility. We will continue to make Seocho-gu the cultural and artistic hub of Korea with diverse cultural performances befitting the cutting-edge facilities.”