"It is the field that leads in elevating the nation's status and spreading our culture worldwide. From now on, we must record and preserve it well."
On the 26th, Yoo In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, expressed his determination to establish the 'Hall of Fame for Popular Culture and Arts' at a seminar held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. The seminar, titled 'Promotion Plan for the Hall of Fame for Popular Culture and Arts,' was jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute. The Ministry plans to hold a seminar once a month for the next six months to systematically prepare plans for establishing the Hall of Fame for Popular Culture and Arts.
Minister Yoo expressed regret that although he first mentioned the Hall of Fame 17 years ago, there had been no progress since then. However, the status of Korean popular culture and arts has changed significantly over the past 17 years. Popular culture and arts, once dismissed as mere 'ddanddara' (a derogatory term for entertainers), have now sparked a global K-Culture boom, establishing Korea as a leading cultural powerhouse worldwide.
Yoon In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is giving a greeting at the "Seminar on the Promotion Plan for the Hall of Fame of Popular Culture and Arts" held on the 26th at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Chae Ji-young, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute, who presented on the topic "Why Now ‘Hall of Fame for Popular Culture and Arts’," said, "When I first started researching Hallyu 20 years ago, the most common comment was 'Isn't Hallyu going to end soon?' but now no one says that," emphasizing, "Popular culture and arts have spread globally under the name of Hallyu for over 20 years and have created tremendous value."
Minister Yoo also said, "Compared to 17 years ago, the value and status of our popular culture have changed tremendously," adding, "It is important that we remember the efforts of those who have dedicated their lives to the field of popular culture and arts."
Last month, a 'Private Promotion Committee for the Hall of Fame' was formed. The committee consists of 27 popular artists representing various fields: 14 actors, 4 singers, 3 comedians, 3 voice actors, and 3 musical theater professionals. Members include actors Shin Young-kyun, Yoo Dong-geun, Jung Bo-seok, Choi Soo-jong, Shin Hyun-joon, Jung Joon-ho, Lee Young-ae, Lee Byung-hun, Lee Jung-jae; singers Nam Jin, Kwon In-ha, Bi (Jung Ji-hoon), Kim Tae-woo; voice actor Jang Gwang; comedians Lee Kyung-kyu, Shin Dong-yup; and musical directors Park Myung-sung and Seol Do-yoon.
On the 26th, attendees of the 'Hall of Fame for Popular Culture and Arts Promotion Plan Seminar' held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, are taking a commemorative photo. [Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]
At the seminar, Yoo Dong-geun, who attended, revealed that since July last year, he has been advocating for the Hall of Fame construction as a long-cherished project. Minister Yoo had also promised at the '2024 Korea Tourism Honorary Ambassador Appointment Ceremony' held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in July last year to establish a museum and Hall of Fame to record the history of popular culture.
Yoo Dong-geun said, "Our popular culture and arts history has reached 100 years," adding, "Now, people worldwide love our culture, young people around the world want to learn our language, consume our culture, and share in its emotions. Since this cultural industrial value has emerged, I think it is time to have a space that can showcase this legacy."
He further stated, "We popular culture artists do not want a large and flashy space," adding, "Because our space itself has historical value, I think a space that can display intangible heritage is sufficient."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
