The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), in collaboration with Meta Consulting, unveiled plans for the National Musical Complex during a briefing and forum held on December 12 at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul. The initiative aims to establish a national hub for the musical industry, addressing the industry's rapid yet uneven growth.

The musical industry in South Korea has seen remarkable expansion, growing from approximately 15 billion won in 2000 to 400 billion won in 2022. However, this growth has been largely driven by private enterprises, leaving the industry ecosystem underdeveloped. To address this, the National Musical Complex is envisioned as a cornerstone for government support and sustainable growth.

The proposed complex will be located on a 25,000-square-meter site at the former Gyeongbuk Provincial Government building in Buk-gu, Daegu. It will include a large theater with 1,800 seats, a medium-sized theater with 500 seats, rehearsal and practice rooms, production support facilities, and a dedicated archive for musical-related resources.

The project was outlined by Oh Sung Ho, head of Meta Consulting, who explained that the space is designed to host performances, workshops, and educational programs while serving as a networking hub for the industry. The facility will focus on fostering talent, supporting productions, and expanding the reach of musicals beyond Seoul.

Daegu was chosen as the site due to its established reputation as a musical city. Since 2007, the city has hosted the annual Daegu International Musical Festival (DIMF), which has significantly contributed to promoting original Korean musicals and discovering new works. The choice aligns with both national policy goals and Daegu’s strategic branding efforts as a hub for musical arts.

Oh emphasized the importance of decentralizing the musical industry, which is heavily concentrated in Seoul. He noted that Daegu’s policies, coupled with the need for a dedicated venue for DIMF, made it an ideal location for the complex.

The project is proposed to operate as an independent legal entity to ensure strategic and stable management. The roadmap includes a preparatory task force from 2024 to 2025, followed by design and construction between 2026 and 2029. The complex is slated to officially open in 2033.

The initiative is separate from the ongoing push for the Musical Industry Promotion Act, a proposed legal framework for government policies supporting musicals. The act, initially introduced in the 21st National Assembly, has yet to be fully debated but has been reintroduced in the current session.

Lee Jong Kyu, director of the Korea Musical Association, highlighted the comprehensive role of the complex, saying it would not only provide performance spaces but also focus on training musical professionals, enhancing production capabilities, and fostering education.

Sohn Seong Hoon, CEO of the musical production company Shownote, underscored the importance of integrating facilities in Seoul to ensure connectivity and suggested establishing a Korean Musical Academy within the complex, similar to the Korean Academy of Film Arts.

The MCST plans to proceed with feasibility studies and refine the project based on these findings. A ministry representative stated, “While the facility's scale may be adjusted during feasibility evaluations, our focus remains on creating a comprehensive complex that goes beyond performances to include education, networking, and archiving.”

Sayart / Joy, nunimbos@gmail.com