Starlight Live Expands to 12 Locations Nationwide
Carefully Selected Young Artists to Perform
Live Performances Across Various Genres Planned
Starbucks Korea is expanding its cultural and arts program, "Starlight Live," which aims to broaden performance opportunities for young artists, to stores nationwide. This move is intended to strengthen cultural communication with local communities in celebration of the company’s cultural and arts programs surpassing 500 sessions since their launch in 2018.
On July 11, Starbucks Korea stated, "We have provided customers with cultural experiences in daily life through various programs such as Special Performances by Cultural and Artistic Talent, Starlight Story, and Star Stage," adding, "As part of these efforts, we are expanding Starlight Live from Seoul and the metropolitan area to locations across the country."
Starlight Live is a youth artist support project jointly planned by Starbucks, the Arts Council Korea, and In The Cave, and was launched in 2023 to help revitalize the performance ecosystem, which had been weakened by COVID-19. The program provides young cultural artists with real stage experience, expanding their opportunities to showcase their talents.
After collecting applications from stores nationwide hoping to host performances, 11 branches with unique natural scenery and local characteristics?including The Bukhangang R Branch, Pohang Hwajin Beach Branch, Gangneung Jumunjin Branch, and Busan UN Park Branch?were selected as Starlight Live venues.
In addition, the Seoul Gyeongdong 1960 Branch, which is equipped with a dedicated performance stage, has been designated as the hub store for Starlight Live. This branch will host regular performances once a month throughout the year, further strengthening its role as a cultural hub.
The young artists participating in the performances were selected through an open recruitment process. A total of 573 music teams from various genres, including jazz, acoustic, and pop rock, applied. Outstanding artists were chosen from among them to perform in a total of 42 concerts. The first performance will be held on July 13 at the Daejeon Yongun Branch, featuring the acoustic guitar duo Teukbyeolhaniyu.
To date, Starbucks has put more than 650 young artists on stage through its cultural and arts programs. The company also supports infrastructure, such as providing sound equipment, as part of its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) social contribution initiatives.
Kim Jiyeong, head of the Starbucks ESG team, stated, "Starlight Live is a program designed to provide customers with special cultural experiences in their daily lives, while offering young artists opportunities to perform on stage," adding, "We will continue to expand our support for culture and the arts in the future."
Meanwhile, Starbucks was recognized for its contributions over the past 6 years and 8 months through various cultural and arts programs such as Starlight Story, the Starbucks Art Contest, and Starlight Art Museum. The company received the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award in the "2024 Certification System for Intermediary Organizations and Outstanding Institutions in Cultural and Arts Sponsorship," and was re-certified as an outstanding institution for cultural and arts sponsorship.
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