From 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has stopped the cultural industry from providing cultural products such as offline concerts and overseas trips. Although cultural facilities were busy catching customers by operating vaccine pass centers and introducing discount events for ticket prices, there were still restrictions such as those on gatherings and business hours which made consumers hesitate. However, from Nov. 1, the Korean government implemented the “living with COVID-19” strategy to abolish all restrictions in three stages. As the restrictions are being lifted, the cultural industry is preparing for a new renaissance.
According to JOBKOREA, visitors to culture and art infrastructures such as theatres, museums, and art galleries from Nov. 1 to Nov. 7 increased by 60% from the average of the past six weeks. TMON announced that the ticket revenue from Nov. 1 to Nov. 10 increased by 37 times compared to the same period in 2020. In particular, sales of musicals and plays increased 95 times. Sales of children’s and family performances increased 13 times and sales of exhibitions increased eight times.
Alongside the increasing demand for cultural life, the Arts Council Korea committee has resumed its project, which supports admission fees for 21 billion KRW worth of performances. Citizens can receive discounts of up to 8,000 KRW and 5,000 KRW for performances and exhibitions, respectively. One can receive at most 22 discount coupons—a total amount of 98,000 KRW. To revive the local tourism industry, 70,000 discount tickets are being released in collaboration with local governments. The Korean government has also begun its support of citizens’ cultural life. On Nov. 9, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) resumed its “Todak Todak Healing Trip”, a discount support project for domestic tourism products. Each citizen can receive one discount coupon from Tourvis or Naver. These coupons provide up to 40% of the travel product price within a limit of 160,000 KRW. The discount coupons are valid for travel products from Nov. 9 to Dec. 19. MCST also decided to provide free travel opportunities returning the full cost after the trip for the disabled and the national merits who had many difficulties in traveling due to COVID-19.
In compliance with the “living with COVID-19” strategy, Pohang also resumed cultural events such as Pohang Street Art Festival and the Pohang International Fireworks Festival. The Pohang Street Art Festival was held from Oct. 29 to Oct. 31. It permeated and revitalized citizens’ lives on the stage of Songlim Theme Street and Songdo Coastal Road. Citizens could experience creative activities on the street, such as mime, modern dance, street play, circus, and performance. Reservations for the performances were open to fully vaccinated citizens. The Pohang International Fireworks Festival was held at Yeongildae Beach from Nov. 19 to Nov. 21. It featured a fireworks competition, a parade of lights, street performances, and a range of hands-on activities. This year, offline and online events were held simultaneously. In the case of offline events, reservations were made for fully vaccinated citizens.