Early performance times irk fans, concert organizers
By Baek Byung-yeul
Ko Hak-chan Seoul Arts Center president
News that concerts at the Seoul Arts Center (SAC) will start at 7:30 p.m. next year, 30 minutes earlier than now, has irked some fans who fear they will not be able to get there on time.
The SAC sent an announcement to some 50 concert organizers this week, rescheduling the starting time of concerts to 7:30 p.m.
Some organizers and fans are voicing concerns the change, given that many office workers in Seoul are not able to leave work early enough to make it to the venue on time.
“I think the SAC seems to forget that majority of ticket buyers are office workers. And, it is hard for them to be there by 7:30 p.m.,” said a concert organizer, who requested anonymity. “Frankly, the decision doesn’t seem to sufficiently reflect opinions from us or fans. They should consider that visitors need enough time to get to the SAC or to have a dinner before the concert.”
Choi Sun-kyeong, an avid classical music fan and office worker, living in northern Seoul also expressed her concern.
“I visit the SAC every other month. Though I live in Seoul, the SAC is located way south from where I work. It takes about 40 to 50 minutes to get there,” Choi said. “Considering that I leave my office after 6:30 p.m., I won’t try to book a weekday concert starting next year.”
“We have not made this change unilaterally,” said a SAC spokesman. “We arrived at the decision after getting requests from some concert planners who wanted to hold their shows before 8 o’clock."
Built in 1988, the SAC has been recognized as the most comprehensive cultural complex in the country. Comprised of concert hall, art museum and theater, more than two million people visit the venue each year. It is located near the Nambu Bus Terminal station, subway line 3.