With a total project cost of 2.117 billion won, the venue's main and small theaters have been transformed into a safer, more comfortable cultural space — featuring new lighting, a replaced stage floor, and upgraded seating and finishes.
Yongsan-gu in Seoul has completed a renovation of the main theater "Mir" and the small theater "Garam" at Yongsan Arts Hall (150 Noksapyeong-daero), marking the venue's 15th anniversary with a safer and more comfortable performance environment for audiences.
The renovation focused on upgrading aging facilities while expanding accessibility features for people with disabilities and mobility challenges, creating a cultural space that everyone can enjoy. Work carried out since the beginning of the year covered lighting in both theaters and the main stage, among other deteriorating infrastructure. Seating in the main theater was also improved, with new chairs and flooring installed to enhance audience comfort.
The main theater Mir — with 787 seats, including eight designated for people with disabilities — underwent comprehensive improvements: new floor finishes, replacement of audience seating, a new stage floor, new entrance doors, new audience-area railings, indirect lighting along walkways, and expanded accessibility facilities. The existing carpeted flooring was removed and replaced with hardwood. Step height differences on staircases were also eliminated to provide a more comfortable viewing environment.
The small theater Garam, with 304 seats including six for people with disabilities, had its aging lighting system replaced to ensure audience safety, alongside broader facility maintenance work to support stable performance operations.
The renovation also prioritized access for people with limited mobility and disabilities. The wheelchair seating area in the main theater was given more generous spacing, and a convertible wheelchair lift-staircase was installed in the small theater, where wheelchair access to the stage had previously been difficult.
The total project cost came to 2.117 billion won ($1.56 million), including a 2 billion won city subsidy. A completion ceremony will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the lobby of the main theater Mir.
A free performance is also planned to mark the reopening of Yongsan Arts Hall. As part of a program supporting resident performing arts groups, an all-seats-free concert titled "An Evening of Art Songs and Arias" will be held Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. in the main theater Mir.
"Yongsan Arts Hall has established itself over the past 15 years as a space where residents can experience a wide range of culture and the arts in their everyday lives," Yongsan-gu District Mayor Kim Kyung-dae said. "With this renovation delivering a safer and more comfortable performance environment, we will continue to make it a place where all residents can visit with ease and enjoy high-quality culture and the arts."
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