| Sejong Center for the Performing Arts 세종문화회관 | |
| Coordinates: | 37.5725°N 126.9756°W |
| Location: | 175 Sejongdaero, Jongno-gu Seoul, 03172, South Korea |
| Type: | Art center |
| Director: | Kim Joo-song |
| Architect: | Um Duk-Moon, Pyung Goo Rhee |
| Website: | Official Website |
| Hangul: | 세종문화회관 |
| Hanja: | 世宗文化會館 |
| Rr: | Sejong Munhwa Hoegwan |
| Mr: | Sejong Munhwa Hoegwan |
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is the largest arts and cultural complex in Seoul, South Korea. It has an interior area of 53,202m². It is situated in the center of the capital, on Sejongno, a main road that cuts through the capital city of the Joseon Dynasty. The center took 4 years to complete, opening in 1978. It was "built as a cultural center for Seoulites". It currently contains one of the biggest pipe organs in Asia.
After the Seoul National Hall was destroyed by fire in 1972,[1] the construction of a venue to continue the cultural heritage of that structure was proposed. Construction began in 1974, and it completed in April 1978. In 1999, the center was placed under control of a foundation.
The center's design was based on a fusion of Korean national symbols and the western architectural designs. The name "Sejong" is from the 4th ruling king of the Joseon Dynasty, Sejong the Great.
On 23 September 2012, the Seoul Metropolitan Government started on a trial basis, a 550-m designated section of Sejong-ro as pedestrian-only but permitted for cyclists. The section includes the road from the Gwanghwamun three-way intersection, along Gwanghwamun Plaza in front of the Sejong Center to the Sejong-ro intersection.[2]
The "Big" Theater as it is called in Korean, is a technologically advanced theater. It opened in 1999 to show Shim Hyung-rae's Yonggary and has a capacity for 3,000 people and is the biggest Theater at the country.
Called The "Small" Theater in Korean, is constructed in an interesting style over 2 floors, and can seat 442 people, the stage can allow for 100 people on performance.
The Gwang Hwa Rang is situated underneath the Sejong-ro crossroads, it opened on February 17, 2005, with complete free access to pedestrians and art-discerning Seoulites. It includes a window-gallery that enable by-passers on ground level to peek inside.
The Convention Center and Hall is usually used for big events and conferences. With a size of 627 m2, it can house around 400 people. It is available for many different events. It includes 250 translating systems that interprets five different languages simultaneously. The convention hall has a smaller size convention center that is used for similar purposes and is able to accommodate 120 people.
Measuring in 19417m², Sam Chung Gak is a collaboration of six traditional Korean Housings. Since 2001, it has been used by the center as a place for traditional heritage experience.