The 24th Miryang Performing Arts Festival ... 12-Day Journey Successfully Concludes

Received Enthusiastic Response with Diverse Side Events

The city of Miryang, Gyeongnam announced on the 5th that the "24th Miryang Performing Arts Festival," held at Miryang Arena, concluded its 12-day run on the evening of the 4th with "Summer Fantasia with Miryang Arirang Orchestra," a performance blending musical and classical genres.

This year’s Miryang Performing Arts Festival, under the theme "The Moment Theater Becomes Everyday Life," featured 60 teams from Korea and abroad, presenting a variety of captivating works. With a wide range of side events, the festival drew an enthusiastic response from over 17,000 audience members.

The 24th Miryang Performing Arts Festival Concludes Its 12-Day Journey.
[Image provided by Miryang City]

In particular, invited performances such as "Hightai," "Showgman Five Guys," and "That Guy Was Pretty" were sold out every day, reflecting the growing interest in the Miryang Performing Arts Festival and performing arts in general.

Furthermore, the opening play "Equus," considered the highest level in Korea, the audience-participatory play "Exceptions and Customs," and the uniquely interpreted and directed "Goodbye Hamlet" showcased grand scale and passionate performances befitting major productions. Troupes from across the country, such as "Amor Fati" and "Blue Dogs," also left a lasting impression with their distinctive styles.

Meanwhile, the MZ Directors’ Showcase, aimed at discovering young creators who will lead the future of Korean theater and supporting innovative challenges by the next generation of theater artists, featured five teams that advanced through fierce competition. The Future Award went to "Wings, Sprout" by Busan Theater Studio Dongnyeok, while the Gomanaru Award was presented to "DIEGO."

At the University Theater Showcase, which supports nationwide exchange among university students, theater and musical departments and clubs from across the country competed passionately. Among the five teams that passed the preliminaries, Howon University’s "Yellow Moon: The Ballad of Leila and Lee" won the Grand Prize, and the Best Director Award went to Seo Hwiri and Yoon Gunhee for the same work.

The 24th Miryang Performing Arts Festival Successfully Concludes Its 12-Day Journey. [Image provided by Miryang City]

Additionally, the 1st Miryang Playwriting Award, established to discover stories of the theater city Miryang and to improve playwrights’ creative conditions and activities, was awarded to Hwang Sua’s "Unexploded Bomb," which received a prize of 10 million won. This work is scheduled to be staged at next year’s Miryang Performing Arts Festival.

Beyond performances, a variety of side events took place. The special exhibition program "Ice Cream Walks on Frozen Ice" by digital creator Kim Kimlab offered visitors a unique visual experience, adding another layer of charm to the performing arts festival.

Moreover, the "City of Aurora," a fantastic DJ performance and dazzling dance event held under a star-filled night sky, further ignited the passionate atmosphere of the Miryang Performing Arts Festival.

In addition, an art market for performance distribution professionals provided a venue for theater artists and stakeholders from Korea and abroad to share new trends and developments in performing arts.

Mayor Ahn Byunggu stated, "I am grateful to everyone who enjoyed the Miryang Performing Arts Festival, which becomes richer every year. I am delighted that we were able to deliver unforgettable emotions to the audience again this year," adding, "Going forward, Miryang will strive to become the center of performing arts in Korea and a city where all citizens can enjoy culture and the arts."