Artist Shin Juwook works on his craft before a public audience at one of the Fringe's many street events (photo courtesy of Seoul Fringe Festival).

Hongdae is the scene of revelry and entertainment throughout the year, but for the second half of August it plays host to the Seoul Fringe Festival. Taking place in northwestern Seoul, the Seoul Fringe Festival celebrates its 15th year with a variety of events.

Starting in 1998 as an independent arts festival, the Fringe’s longstanding goal is to “rebel against commercial pop culture and authoritative fine arts,” supporting emerging artists in opposition to commercial pop culture.

This year’s Seoul Fringe Festival promises a selection of indoor and street performances. The schedule offers 120 indoor performances by 52 theater, dance, music, and interdisciplinary groups, and 60 outdoor performances by 23 music, dance, and street performance groups. A variety of special events are planned, including Project Big Boy, in which encore performances from previous Fringes will be offered at Doosan Art Center, as well as the Eco Fringe Project, a donation party held in partnership with the Beautiful Store Foundation, and forums on topics such as “Life as an independent artist” and “Let’s talk about the city.”

Participating venues include Sanwoolim Theater, Yogiga, C Cloud, and MyungwallGwan, but events will be happening throughout the neighborhood through the Fringe’s BYOV (Bring Your Own Venue) system encouraging participating artists to seek exhibition sites suitable for their works. These Fringe sites include everything from cafes, clubs, and galleries to alleys, parks, and the subway station, highlighting the many facets of the vibrant university area.

Left: Bijung Society questions how stories are made in its performance MammaMeal, Creation at Ye Theatre. Right: Band Mown performs for passersby in the street by Hongdae Station. Photos courtesy of Seoul Fringe Festival.

The Fringe aims to promote the indie culture of Hongdae, which is at risk due to rising rent, gentrification, and commercialization. At the same time, the Fringe uncovers the future of Korea’s arts scene, uncovering rising artists and encouraging an open dialogue between artists, audience, and society.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Arts Council Korea, Seoul City, Mapo District, Seoul Foundation Arts and Culture, and Seoul Art Space_SEOGYO, the Seoul Fringe Festival runs until Saturday, September 1. For more information about the Seoul Fringe Festival, visit the official website.

By Jon Dunbar
Korea.net Editor