Daehangno: Theater District in Seoul (Contemporary Korean Arts Series #1)

Daehangno is generally called a street of youth. However, it does not mean it is only frequented by young people. Daehangno is where the youthful passion of elderly artists is still tangible, where the youthful ardor of retired professors is still palpable and where the budding romance of late poets is still alive; in other words, where all of our youths can be found. The young people of today who flock here in pursuit of new cultures naturally mingle with those who were young here half a century ago. It is this generational crossroads that distinguishes Daehangno from other young streets in Seoul.

Daehangno: Theater District in Seoul describes what makes Daehangno what it is today, rather than merely listing the hundreds of small theaters that make this neighborhood unique in the world. The author conveys the history and spirit of the street, which are the secret to its dynamism and its cultural power that are hidden behind its splendid façade.

Daehangno is a treasure trove of stories. There are many important historical relics, and it also bore the turbulent periods of modern and contemporary Korean history, including the years of Japanese colonial rule. Most importantly, though, Daehangno is where young literati and artists gathered to discuss art and dream of the future. The people who breathed the air of Daehangno created not only poems and novels but also plays, movies and music, thus sharing the romance of this neighborhood with the general public.