Goodbye Hakchon! Fond Memories of a Longtime South Korean Theater

What Is Hakchon?

Founded in 1991 at Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Hakchon is a comprehensive production company that started as a theater company under the leadership of Kim Min-ki and has been planning and producing various performances, including high-quality plays, musicals, and concerts. It is a representative performing arts organization in Korea that has been producing high-quality works for over 30 years.

“Running a small theater was just something I felt I had to do. My most memorable moment is the 4,000th performance of ‘Subway Line 1’.” — Founder of Hakchon, Kim Min Ki

Singers such as Deulgukhwa, Yoo Jae-ha, and Kang San Ae led the culture of live concerts at Hakchon. Kim Kwang-seok, who had a special relationship with Hakchon, held 1000 live concerts there every year from 1991 to 1995.

This small theater also welcomed 730,000 people with the musical “Underground Line 1.”

Who Is Kim Min Ki?

Kim Min-ki is a lyricist, composer, arranger, playwright, and director. Numerous artists have grown into stars through his longtime operation of Hakchon at Daehak-ro.

“Running a small theater was just something I felt I had to do. My most memorable moment is the 4,000th performance of ‘Subway Line 1’.” — Founder of Hakchon, Kim Min Ki

This Hakchon Is Closing

The theater’s closing date is looming due to a sharp drop in public attendance of Kim Min-ki’s battle with cancer. March 15, 2024, is the closing date. So far, all scheduled performances have been sold out. A procession of actors who felt grateful to Hakchon and Kim Min-ki continues. 

We will all remember for a long time how precious what we have lost is!

—

📧 UoH has a personal assistant program for traveling in Korea, including reservations, rentals, and personal assistants. Feel free to email us at [email protected] for a quote and to find out how to proceed!