'Yongin Poeun Art Hall,' a representative performance venue in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, is gaining recognition as a national performance hall beyond its local district. After increasing the seating capacity and upgrading the sound and video facilities through remodeling, the venue has been attracting a series of large-scale performances.
Located in Jukjeon-dong, Suji-gu, Yongin, Yongin Poeun Art Hall opened in 2004 and is named after the pen name of Jeong Mongju, a loyalist from the late Goryeo Dynasty. After its opening, the venue was mainly used for local events targeting residents, and it did not receive much external attention.
However, following Mayor Lee Sangil's decision to "expand opportunities for citizens to enjoy high-quality culture and the arts," the hall's status has changed significantly after a temporary closure last year and six months of remodeling.
From 0 to 10: Number of Popular Music Performances Surges This Year
Yongin Poeun Art Hall, which reopened in January this year after six months of remodeling construction. The number of seats was increased to accommodate large-scale performances, and facilities such as acoustics, lighting, and video were improved. Provided by Yongin City
Through the remodeling, the city increased the number of seats in the performance hall from 1,259 to 1,525. In addition, the sound, video, and lighting systems were improved, and the venue reopened in January this year.
The effects of the remodeling have been significant. Since its reopening, Yongin Poeun Art Hall has hosted a total of 10 large-scale popular music performances so far this year, including 3 planned performances and 7 rental performances. This is a remarkable achievement compared to 2023, when there were none.
The lineup of major performances presented this year has also been impressive.
Musicals such as 'Chicago,' 'The Last Empress,' and 'Jekyll and Hyde,' as well as a concert by the KBS Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Chung Myung-whun, and the 25th anniversary concert of Yuhki Kuramoto's visit to Korea, have all taken place at the venue.
There has also been strong interest from the popular music industry. Well-known singers such as Lee Moonse, Yoon Jongshin, Jang Minho, Lee Jaehoon, and Shim Soobong have held concerts on the Yongin Poeun Art Hall stage.
In addition, a variety of performances spanning genres and generations have been staged, including the children's musicals 'Sarangui Hyachuping' and 'Numberblocks,' the 'Joe Hisaishi Film Music Concert,' and 'Lee Eungyeol's TRACK.'
Upcoming events at the venue include ▲Seol Minseok's Korean History Adventure: Ahn Junggeun (September 13-14), ▲Egg Doctor Season 2 (October 3-4), ▲Choi Baekho Concert (October 11), ▲Lee Seungcheol Orchestra 2 (December 13), ▲Danny Koo Winter Concert (December 20), and ▲Going Home Project with Son Yeoleum (December 27).
Seat Occupancy Rate Rises from 70% to 84%, Rental Revenue Jumps 57%... A True Asset
Yongin Poeun Art Hall has been hosting a series of large-scale performances following its remodeling. The reopening performance of Yongin Poeun Art Hall, which completed remodeling in January this year. Provided by Yongin City
With a series of high-profile large-scale performances, the average seat occupancy rate at Yongin Poeun Art Hall has risen from 70% in 2023 to 84% in the first half of this year. The Yongin Cultural Foundation, which operates the venue, also expects rental revenue for the performance hall to increase by about 57% compared to 2023.
The city plans to continue improving the venue's facilities to establish it as a leading cultural and artistic space in southern Gyeonggi Province. To this end, a large media facade will be installed on the front building of Poeun Art Hall Plaza within the year, allowing visitors to enjoy video content and performances outdoors. Through this, the city plans to operate more than nine seasonal outdoor programs annually, such as 'Seasonal Art Plaza,' 'Autumn Night Concert,' and 'Art Experiment Plaza.'
Mayor Lee Sangil said, "Since its remodeling, Poeun Art Hall has continued to host performances by world-class artists and popular musicians, bringing great inspiration to citizens," adding, "This has served as an opportunity to elevate the cultural stature of Yongin."
Mayor Lee also stated, "Once the construction of the high-quality outdoor performance venue is completed by the end of the year, the Poeun Art Hall area will be established as a refined space for culture and the arts."
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