Culture minister calls club shutdown over dancing ‘embarrassing’ and vows to scrap outdated rules

“Dancing in response to indie music is not a crime,” South Korean Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young wrote as he addressed the dispute over a Busan live club’s operating suspension.

Choi said on X that he would work to change the laws and systems involved. He described dancing as a natural response to music and a universal way for people to enjoy it. He also said he was embarrassed that some places still prohibit dancing even when live music is allowed.

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Dancing in response to indie music is not a crime. I will break outdated regulations.

The venue, Ovangarde, operates in Busan and is regarded by Choi as a symbol of the city’s indie music scene. He said venues that have quietly supported the independent music ecosystem should not be hurt by such rules. He also pledged to support grassroots indie conditions so young musicians’ creative energy could meet enthusiastic audience reactions and movement.

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Dance is a natural response to music and a universal way for humanity to enjoy music. It is truly embarrassing that there are still places where dancing is prohibited even when live music is allowed.

The dispute arose after Busan’s Nam District objected to audience members standing and dancing in an area where tables and chairs had been removed while watching a performance. The district began administrative action, citing a violation of enforcement regulations under the Food Sanitation Act. Musicians and audiences criticized the rules as out of step with the realities of live performances and called for legal changes.

Choi said authorities should act quickly, either by amending the current law or creating a new concept of a performance venue, to correct what he called an abnormal situation.

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Ovangarde is like a symbol of Busan’s indie music scene. Performance venues that have steadfastly and quietly protected the indie ecosystem should not be hurt like this.