Muan County in South Jeolla Province will stage an original play to broaden local access to the arts.
The county said the local troupe The Art Company Yeon was selected for the South Jeolla Cultural Foundation’s Performing Venue Collaboration Arts Group Support Project. Its debut production, the dark comedy Silent Night, The Three of Us, will be performed on the 15th at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the main theater of the Seungdal Culture & Arts Center.
The play opens with a question: “On a quiet night when everyone sleeps, have we ever truly confronted ourselves?” Set beside a trash dump near a new apartment complex, the story follows three men from different backgrounds who become entangled after a dog goes missing. While it uses comic situations, the play also probes loneliness and everyday life, aiming to leave audiences with empathy and something to ponder.
Officials say the performance is more than a one-off event; it’s the start of a broader effort to revitalize local performing arts. During the project period, The Art Company Yeon plans to present at least three additional works and develop them into signature local productions.
According to Muan County, the Seungdal Culture & Arts Center saw steady growth last year in both events and audience numbers, solidifying its role as a regional cultural hub. As rentals, planned shows and a range of cultural events increased, so too did residents’ demand for arts programming.
Still, officials acknowledge a shortage of regular, locally produced programming. Performances tend to cluster around certain times or rely on outside bookings, leaving limited opportunities for residents to engage with the arts in everyday life.
Residents have called for a steady expansion of events.
A resident of Namak New Town said, “There haven’t been many shows we can take the kids to. If plays like this continue locally, we won’t have to travel to Gwangju or Mokpo.”
Another resident of Muan-eup, identified only as A, said, “We have cultural facilities, but there hasn’t been a regular schedule of performances. If local arts groups keep presenting shows, residents’ quality of life will improve.”
Tickets are 10,000 KRW (about $7.50) for general admission. Students and Muan County residents can purchase tickets at a 90% discount for 1,000 KRW (about $0.75). Tickets went on sale May 1 through the Seungdal Culture & Arts Center website.
Jeong Dae-sul, head of the Cultural Arts Division, said, “This collaborative project will strengthen the creative capacity of local arts groups and provide residents with high-quality performances. We will continue expanding programming so people can easily experience arts and culture in their daily lives.”
