South Korean student champions local cultural heritage preservation

Lee Kyung-young, a student at Korea Cyber University's Department of Cultural Arts Management, is dedicating her efforts to preserving and promoting Pyongchang Arirang, a significant intangible cultural heritage of Gangwon Province. Drawing upon her academic knowledge, Lee is actively involved in organizing performances and initiatives aimed at safeguarding and transmitting this traditional Korean folk song.

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As the secretary-general of the Pyongchang Arirang Preservation Association, while planning and operating cultural arts projects and performances, I felt the need for systematic study.

As the secretary-general of the Pyongchang Arirang Preservation Association, Lee has been instrumental in planning and executing preservation and performance projects since 2014. She has led various performance teams, including Arirang Nanta, Arirang Storytellers, and Traditional Dance teams, and in 2017, she founded the 'Arirang Citizen Theater Troupe' by integrating these diverse groups. Through this troupe, Lee has presented numerous works, such as the music and narration plays 'Grandma Byeol' and 'Yubaekmaegi Arirang,' in collaboration with association members and local residents.

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I chose Korea Cyber University because it allows me to balance my studies with field activities, reducing time and distance constraints while living in the region. I could also experience practical education, the faculty's expertise, and the diverse activities of seniors and juniors.

Lee attributes her ability to effectively apply her studies to her practical work to the university's curriculum. "The planning, operation, and management knowledge I gained through my Cultural Arts Management courses are being utilized in writing business plans, performance proposals, and preservation projects," she stated. Furthermore, her studies in design have enabled her to enhance promotional materials, including posters and videos, while her knowledge in fire safety has been crucial in ensuring secure performance environments.

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The planning, operation, and management knowledge I gained through my Cultural Arts Management courses are being utilized in writing business plans, performance proposals, and preservation projects.

Beyond her local initiatives, Lee is fostering inter-regional cultural exchange. Through connections made with seniors active in the Gongju region of Chungcheongnam-do Province, she is facilitating collaboration between the Pyongchang Arirang Preservation Association and the Gongju Arirang Preservation Association. This partnership aims to involve mutual participation in local festivals and preservation presentations, invite performance groups, and share event information, with plans for participation in the Gongju Baekje Cultural Festival in October 2026. Lee envisions future projects that will bring together various regional Arirang traditions for cultural festivals and systematic research into their unique characteristics and transmission status, aiming to build a foundation for the continuous exchange and intergenerational transmission of traditional culture.

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My content planning capabilities have also been enhanced by reviewing the performance's theme, composition, and promotional methods from the audience's perspective.