Tree & Water Theater closes down due to COVID-19 blow

Small theaters suffer zero income

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Tree & Water, a small theater in Seoul's theater district Daehangno, has closed down due to financial difficulties as the nation's theater industry continues to suffer from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jeong You-rhan, CEO of Moonhwa Icon which operates the theater, posted the news on Facebook, Monday.

"Due to COVID-19, the theater has been temporarily shut down since February. Without any income, it is difficult for us to pay the monthly rent," Jeong said.

Established in 2013, the 100-seat theater has been home to Korean musical "Love in the Rain" and children's show "Cloud Bread."

Most small theaters in Daehangno area are operated by proprietors who rent the venues and sublease them to production companies and troupes.

"The landlord said the space will not be used as a theater anymore, so we have to pull down all theatrical facilities," Jeong said. "The theater will be demolished from May 1."

Jeong said the government's support system on private small theaters needs to be revised.

"In Daehangno, located in heart of Seoul, rents are extremely high even for basement premises. The high rents go to the landlord, but the theater operator has to pay for facilities and maintenance expenses. Current support measures focus on paying rental fees on behalf of troupes, but more fundamental aid for operating small theaters in a healthy way is what we need," Jeong said.

According to the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System (KOPIS), the number of shows opening dropped from 33 in February to 11 in March and 10 in April. Only a handful of theaters presenting more popular musicals and plays remain open amid the COVID-19 blow.

The Korea Art Theater Association (KATA) said none of its member theaters reported rent exemptions or discounts from landlords even though theaters have been closed for months due to COVID-19.

"The average rent for a small theater space would be around 4.5 million won per month and if this situation continues, more theaters will face closures," an official of the KATA said.