Tel: 02-2280-4114

PR: kanchont@korea.kr

Jangchungdan-gil 158, Jung-gu,
Seoul, Korea
100-857

http://www.ntok.go.kr

National Theater of Korea, Traditional Arts, Seoul

Nestled softly at the foot of Mount Namsan and near the historic Jang Cheongdan Park, the Korean National Theater of Korea was founded in 1950. Along with performances by its three resident companies (the National Changgeuk Company, the National Dance Company, and the National Orchestra), the National Theater supports major national cultural events and operates various programs including festivals for the public, regional tours, and arts education. Expansions have been made to support the National Theater of Korea's deepening involvement in the performing arts, including the National Museum of Performing Arts, opened in the second half of 2009. 

Resident Companies: 
The National Changgeuk Company has been involved in the preservation and popularisation of traditional changgeuk (Korean traditional music) for over 40 years. The company performs and has translated five pansoris  (traditional Korean narrative songs) Chunhyangga, Simcheongga, Sugungga, Heungboga, Jeokbyeokga into English, French, and Japanese to make changgeuk known to the world as a traditional performing art form of Korea.

The National Dance Company of Korea was founded in 1962. Its signature traditional dance repertoire, features highlights from ten different traditional Korean dances: fan dance, hourglass drum dance, crane dance, playing with bupo, a hat with a big white attachment, three•five drum dance, the castle, spirit of the Shilla dynasty, spring snow and prayer. 

The National Orchestra of Korea is a government-established orchestra comprised of traditional Korean instruments that was founded in 1995. 

National Theater Festivals include:
The World Festival of National Theaters started in 2007 and takes place every year from September to October. By invitation only, national theaters from eight different countries present international performances and produce joint performances alongside Korean art groups. 

Performing Arts Youth Festival began in May 2006 as a youth project and takes places each spring in all National Theater of Korea areas of the culture plaza. Youths will experience Gamuak, musical, mime, play, and dance as well as outstanding domestic and international performances connected to education.  The event is held outdoors.

Children's Masterpiece Performing Arts Festival will be held twice a year, winter and summer, startin 2011.

Yeo Woo Rak Festival introduces young people to Korean music. 

Multicultural Festival began in 2010 and is held in the summer.

Seasonal Festivals:
The New Year's Day Festival " Spring Festival - First Moon over Namsan" is the first event of the National Theater’s seasonal festivals. During this festival, patrons can enjoy various programs which impart the traditional meaning of the Lunar New Year’s Day through events that encourage audience participation.
Summer Festival  “The Tropical Night Festival” began in 2000 as an environmentally friendly art park in the city. This outdoor festival presents pop music concerts and films along with food and numerous ways to cool off and enjoy the entertainment.
Fall Festival “The Hangaui Celebration” began in 2003 as a presentation of performances that aren’t often seen in Seoul. These old traditional Chuseok plays and local traditional performances take place at the National Theater of Korea’s plaza. Occasionally, the audience is invited to interact with the performers in traditional Korean style, making this modern art event fun for the entire family.
Winter Festival  “Song of Hope” takes place on the last day of the year. The festival includes highlight performances from all four companies of the National Theater and ends with a countdown and fireworks after the performances.

Saturday Culture Plaza opens every year from May to September and starts on Fridays at 6pm at the National Theater of Korea Cultural Plaza. This lively festival stages performances from every genre, ranging from professional art performances to hits from pop singers. The audience also has the opportunity to participate in these performances.

Regular Performances:
Midday Pansori, held monthly at 11 a.m. in the Haneul Youth Center, presents Pansori in a comfortable, friendly setting.
Midday Concert is intended to serve as a traditional Korean music concert for housewives.  It was designed to demonstrate to the audience the past and present of traditional Korean music.

The National Museum of Performing Arts of Korea opened on December 23, 2009 to preserve Korea's creative arts and keep a historic record of this accumulated cultural inheritance.

Facilities:
Main Hall 'Hae':  The 1,563 seat main hall includes16 seats with wheelchair access and 24 seats for waiting patrons.  
Small Hall 'Dal': This 427 seat minor hall, including 5 wheelchair spaces, maintains a proscenium stage with ideal facilities.  It is popularly used for staging signature repertoire pieces as well as scheduling programs by resident companies of the National Theater.  In addition, this theater is the primary hall for plays and changgeuk.
Studio 'Byeol' serves as an open space that inspires creativity in up and coming performers.  This small theater with seating for 100 includes 74 fixed seats and approximately 30 moveable seats.
KB Haneul Youth Theater has 732 seat theater and includes an air conditioning system, sound and sun screens, and a night-time lighting system.  
The Customer Room is located on the ground floor of the Main Hall Hae. There are many convenience facilities including a customer support room, an information search corner, a children's play room, etc. The Children's Play Room is a space for patrons who bring their children from ages of 3 to 6. Professional care givers take good care of the children during performance hours. Info: 02-2280-4213 (ask for English speaker).

Rental Service:  Some of the facilities are available for rental in September of every year and whenever the space is not being used for another performance. Applications received at any time (check availability on the Theater's Home page). Rental service office 02-2280-4054. 

Directions: Detailed information/map  
Get off at Dongkuk University Station on Subway Line 3, stop 332.Take the free National Theater shuttle in front of Taegeukdang, Exit No. 2 or take a taxi. The shuttle runs every ten minutes from one hour until twenty minutes before the performance. For example, when a performance starts at 19:30, the shuttle bus departs at 18:30, 18:40, 18:50, 19:00 and 19:10. After a performance: take bus at  Culture Square in front of the Main Hall- HAE.
City Buses:
 420 directly to National Theater

114, 301 (Blue)  2012 (Green) - Get off at Jang-chung dong and take the shuttle bus.

9410 (Red) - Get off at Jang-chung Stadium and take the shuttle bus.