Seoul Metropolitan Council discusses support for theater artists

The Seoul Metropolitan Council held a forum to examine the current state of the theater support system in Seoul and discuss ways to improve the creative environment for artists. The discussion highlighted a significant gap between demand and support, noting that while over 53% of South Korea’s theater professionals are based in Seoul, the selection rate for major creative support projects remains around 10%.

Experts and participants identified several structural challenges, including unstable income, lack of rehearsal spaces, and insufficient compensation for the preparation period of creative works. Current support is criticized for being focused on short-term production costs rather than long-term sustainability.

Proposed solutions included expanding direct creative budgets, implementing multi-year support systems, and providing specialized assistance for youth, mid-career, and senior artists. There were also calls for establishing fair contract practices, recognizing labor during rehearsal periods, and creating social safety nets to prevent career breaks among theater professionals.