Myeongdong Theater reopened amid a ceremony on Friday after a movement to restore the theater began 15 years ago. The original outer appearance has been maintained as much as possible, while the stages inside have been modernized with about W23 billion spent on the project (US$1=W1,244).

The Myeongdong district in downtown Seoul was once a center of the dramatic arts in Korea, and theater officials say the opening represents a restoration. They expressed hope that the opening will mark a turning point in Korean theater culture and said they plan to focus on producing in-house pieces that appeal to a wide range of audiences.