Korean Musical Society Inaugural Academic Conference: "60 Years of Korean Musicals and Prospects"

At Art Korea Lab on January 31

The Korean Musical Society announced on January 20 that it will hold its inaugural academic conference, "60 Years of Korean Musicals and the Prospects of K-Musicals," at Art Korea Lab in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on January 31.

This inaugural academic conference is hosted by the Korean Musical Society and sponsored by the Arts Management Support Center.

The Korean Musical Society, the nation's first academic organization specializing in musicals, was officially launched on August 16 last year. At that time, the society held a founding meeting and inaugural general assembly at the Artist's House in Daehangno, Seoul, appointing Koh Heekyung, Dean of the Graduate School of Performing Arts at Hongik University, as its first president. The society aims to promote the development and artistic growth of K-Musicals through the establishment and research of musical studies, and plans to expand the creative foundation by building an organic cooperative system with the performance industry in the future.

This inaugural academic conference is designed to reflect on the 60-year history of Korean musicals and to examine the identity and diversity of the recently spotlighted K-Musical. The goal is to establish an academic foundation for sustainable growth and enhanced competitiveness. The event emphasizes that musicals, as a genre, are worthy of scholarly discussion beyond popular art and the performing arts industry, and aims to create a platform for communication between the creative field and academia.

The conference will begin with a welcoming address and congratulatory remarks by Won Jongwon, Vice President of the Korean Musical Society, followed by a keynote lecture by inaugural president Koh Heekyung titled "Korean Musicals: Harvesting the Past and Sowing New Seeds."

The subsequent presentation sessions will be divided into two parallel tracks. The first session, "K-Musicals and Global Expansion," will analyze the various international approaches Korean musicals have attempted so far and their significance. Jang Jiyeong, reporter at Kukmin Ilbo, will present "Exploring the Origins of Korean Musical Orientation"; Lee Yoonjung, professor at Hongik University, will discuss "Globalization Strategies of Korean Musicals in the Late 1990s and 2000s-Focusing on the Overseas Tour of the Musical The Last Empress"; and Choi Seungyeon, professor at Korea University, will present on "Characteristics of Contemporary Daehangno Musicals." In addition, Kim Bahola, professor at Keimyung University, will give a presentation on "The Gap Between Asian and American," examining the differences between East Asian and American musicals.

The second session, "Hybridity and Diversity of 21st Century K-Musicals," will discuss the components and genre identity of K-Musicals. Hong Jeongmin, professor at Dongguk University, will present "The Role of Translation in the Advancement of K-Musicals into the English-Speaking World and Proposals for Successful Export"; Hyun Sujeong, professor at Chung-Ang University, will discuss "Hybridity in Korean Musicals and K-Musicals"; and Won Jongwon, professor at Soonchunhyang University, will present "From Growth to Maturity: Suggestions for the Future of K-Musicals."

After the presentation sessions, a roundtable discussion will be held with experts from academia and the performing arts industry. Panelists will include Sung Kiwoong (Seoul Institute of the Arts), Song Kyungok (Myongji University), Park Byungseong (musical columnist), Han Jaeun (Seoul National University), Lee Heonjae (President of the Korea Performance Producers Association), Park Chunhui (musical composer), and Seo Mijeong (independent producer), who will discuss current issues and future visions for Korean musicals from various perspectives.

Koh Heekyung, the inaugural president, stated, "This academic conference will not merely be a series of presentations, but rather an opportunity to diagnose the current state and explore the future of Korean musicals through active exchanges of opinions and discussions with participants. We look forward to the enthusiastic participation of everyone interested in musicals."

The event is free and open to anyone interested in musicals, and pre-registration is available via the QR code provided in the promotional materials.