Yeongdeok Youth Meet the Musical 'Hero'... A Trip to Seoul to Discover Interests and Aptitudes

Yeongdeok Culture and Tourism Foundation Launches 'Dream Theater' Ambassador Project
Musical 'Hero' Viewing and SC Theater Backstage Tour Participation

The Yeongdeok Culture and Tourism Foundation in North Gyeongsang Province attended the musical "Hero" at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on the 1st, as part of a special project in collaboration with the "Dream Theater Troupe" promotional ambassador, and participated in the SC Theater backstage tour.

Yeongdeok Cultural Tourism Foundation provided an opportunity for 10 teenagers in the Yeongdeok area to experience the large-scale musical "Hero."

Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the "Dream Theater Troupe" is one of the "Dream Arts Troupes" that have expanded into various artistic fields such as theater and musicals. This cultural project provides children and teenagers with cultural and arts education, including workshops in music and dance, integrated arts programs, and joint performances.

In particular, Kim Moonjung, the promotional ambassador for the Dream Theater Troupe, is a top musical director in Korea and is currently serving as the music director for the musical "Hero."

The Yeongdeok Culture and Tourism Foundation, as part of its cultural specialization project, collaborated with the "Dream Theater Troupe" to provide ten local teenagers from Yeongdeok, who aspire to major in culture and arts, especially musicals, with the opportunity to experience the large-scale musical "Hero" through the "Deokming Out" program.

Before watching the musical, participants of "Deokming Out" interviewed with a Sejong Center official and took a backstage tour, satisfying their curiosity about musicals and performance venues and learning proper theater etiquette. For the youth of Yeongdeok, who rarely have access to large stages and major performances, this visit to the Sejong Center was a valuable experience not available in their region.

With the 79th anniversary of Liberation Day approaching on August 15, Yeongdeok’s youth, after watching the musical "Hero," which deals with the anti-Japanese independence movement, deeply reflected on the spirit of sacrifice of Ahn Junggeun and took pride in having been born and raised in Yeongdeok, the birthplace of the March 18 Independence Movement.

The person in charge of the "Deokming Out" program at the Yeongdeok Culture and Tourism Foundation said, "The 'Deokming Out' program, which has served as a stepping stone for discovering and developing the tastes and aptitudes of youth every year, achieved further progress through this musical viewing and backstage tour. We are proud that this experience has sparked greater interest in culture and the arts among Yeongdeok’s youth and contributed to them pursuing their dreams. We will continue to provide even broader opportunities for Yeongdeok’s youth and support them wholeheartedly so they can plan their futures through culture and the arts."

A youth participant in the first round of "Deokming Out" said, "Being able to watch the large-scale musical 'Hero,' which I had only heard about, and even take a backstage tour, was a learning experience beyond my imagination. Watching this performance felt like a stage for my dreams had opened, and I became much more interested in culture and the arts. I hope there will be many more opportunities like this in the future."

The Yeongdeok Culture and Tourism Foundation added that, in addition to performance viewing, it will continue to expand opportunities for local youth to enjoy diverse cultures and dream of their futures, and will provide ongoing cultural and arts education to Yeongdeok residents of all generations.

The second round of "Deokming Out" this year is scheduled for August 11, with a tour of Daegu Opera House and an opera viewing. For more details, visit the Yeongdeok Culture and Tourism Foundation website or Instagram.