In the 1960s, all you needed was ₩100 to cover your daily expenditures. A bowl of black paste noodles (Jajang-myeon) was ₩20; a Korean full set meal (Baek ban) was ₩30. And with only ₩25, a price lower than that of Baek ban, people could watch the most renowned show of the time, C'estsi bon Concert. This converted to modern day price would still only cost ₩4000.
Now compare this to the year we are living in. Nowadays, ticket prices seldom go lower than₩30,000. In fact, most of the popular and the so-called ‘well made’ performances will cost over ₩70,000. Live performances at Hongdae may be cheap, but only to today’s standards. The average price for watching a live performance in Hongdae ranges from ₩20,000 to ₩25,000. Thus, those who cannot afford to pay for their basic necessities also cannot enjoy cultural life. Although people have gained freedom of rights throughout the history, Korea in the 21stCentury may not be a free enough country to guarantee cultural rights to every citizen.
ㆍRecession, Economically and Culturally
“People are deprived of the right to enjoy cultural life and leisure.”
Think back to your high school years. Were you the kind of student to go out and see musicals, and plays afterschool or were you the kind to rush off to academies? I’m sure a majority would not have had time for leisure as a high school student. So then, now that you are a university student, partially free from the amount of studies, do you see yourself enjoying cultural life regularly?
According to Statistics Korea, cultural and leisure expenditures in 2011 recorded the lowest after the global economic crisis in 2008. The culture and leisure expenses of families nationwide in the 3rd quarter of 2011 recorded a monthly average of ₩137,480 out of total household expenditures of ₩2,443,629. In other words, only 5% of the total expenditure was used on leisure.
Annual 3rd quarter expenditure rateson leisure and entertainment had been increasing to 5.65% and 5.68% in 2009 and 2010 respectively, since their decrease in 2008(5.12%), when the global economic crisis stirred the nation. But starting this year, the number has once againhalted to a decrease, recording 5.63%. Such result seems to be derived from the growing burden on household debt. The gap between two opposite factors, increasing debt and decreasing income, is making life in Korea financially cumbersome. In turn, families are willing to cut back on leisure expenses and compensate it for their children’s’ education and health. Korea is at risk of going through another vicious cycle of plummeting rates in recreation and culture expenditure.
ㆍ₩1,000 Happy Concert
In the hopes of alleviating people’s burden in the midst of such financially tough times, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts launched an event on 2007 calling it“₩1,000 Happiness Concert.”In order to break the barrier between the rich and the poor and promote cultural access to all levels, Sejong Center offers high quality performances to people for only ₩1,000. The project aims at transforming Seoul into a culture-friendly city.
Homepage: http://happy1000.sejongpac.or.kr/main/main.asp
ㆍFirst Concert in 2012: February “Spring Chamber Music”
The first concert held in 2012 was the “Spring Chamber Music,” which lasted for 3 days from February 7th. Swiss ZürichUniversity of the Arts(ZHdK) Strings, Korea’s own Seoul String Quartet, and a string ensemble with classic guitarist Jang Seung-ho and a group of cellists each performed at this three-day concert.
Newscaster JeongSae-jin was the narrator, allowing people without musical knowledge to enjoy the performance.
ㆍ₩1,000 Happy Concert- Annual Programs
Check the list of programs below, and choose a performance you would like to watch in the months to come.
Month Performance Date Place
2 Spring Chamber Music 2012.02.07~2012.02.09 Sejong Chamber Hall
3 Opera “Yeonseo(Love Letter)” 2012.03.15 Sejong Grand Theater
4 2012.04.16~2012.04.18 Sejong M Theater
5 Happy Classic “The Story of Marimba” 2012.05.22 Sejong Grand Theater
6 Ballet with narration 2012.06.27 Sejong Grand Theater
7 BeyongGukak(Traditional Korean music) 2012.7.31 Sejong Grand Theater
8 World Music Festival 2012.08.25~2012.08.26 Sejong Grand Theater Sejong Chamber Hall
9 Opera Night 2012.09.25 Sejong Grand Theater
10 Jazz Melody 2012.10.4 Sejong Grand Theater
11 Good Bye Stress Concert 2012.11.20 Sejong Grand Theater
*In2007, in celebration of the first implementation of city administrative policies, a presentation was held at the International Conference Hall of Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). “₩1,000 Happy Concert” was introduced as one of the most successful initiatives.
ㆍ₩1,000 Happy Concert, its Targets
The concert is designed to satisfy the needs of those who are not financially eligible to enjoy the cultural life that modern day offers. Mostly aimed at the minorities who easily suffer marginalization and discrimination, the project itself is a means to bring them into the mainstream of culture. Some people might doubt that those who are socially isolated and living in comparative poverty may not feel the needs to enjoy cultural life. However, as is the term 'Homo Ludens (Playing Man),' every human feels the urge to play and have fun. Social and financial barriers may temporarily overshadow their needs, but needless to say, the needs to enjoy is within them for sure. Thus, in order to make culture accessible to the homeless and the unemployed, this special event of ₩1,000 Happiness Concert plays a significant role.
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts also hosts events for the homeless,showing them one of the programs in₩1,000 Happy Concert for free. This arrangement was made in an effort to give hope to those who are socially isolated. The project aims at restoring theirself-esteem and motivation to hope for a better life.It is estimated that over 170,000 homeless people, seniors living alone, and other low-income families have had the privilege to participate in these events since 2007. Financial aid and assistance may satisfy physical needs of low-income families, whereas these small events act as a mental approach to rejuvenating the mental needs of partaking in cultural life.
ㆍCheap Price, Cheap Performance?
People might have the intention that because the admission fee is cheap, the quality of programs might not meet the standards of a well-made performance. However, after watching the performance, many people said otherwise. Some audience members have left comments on the webpage community board, saying it was an unexpectedly satisfying show. The most recent comments online are about the "Spring Chamber Music," and so far the audience seemed to have had a good time. One audience member remarked that "Spring Chamber Music" allowed her to feel the spring breeze even in the coldness of winter and that '₩1,000 Happy Concert' was an angel to have given her the opportunity. Thus, it seems that despite its cheap price, the level of performance is something out of question.
What better offer is there than to be able to watch a high quality show for only the price of ₩1,000? Consider today’s reality, how tight times call for tight wallets. If you are short on cash visit Sejong Art Center’s homepage and take a look at the program schedule. You might just find the perfect performance at the lowest price ever. Tight belts and thinner wallets may be the new consumer reality, but every cloud has a silver lining. Look out for pleasant surprises like the ₩1,000 Happy Concert.