GWANGYANG — POSCO's Gwangyang Works is preparing a special cultural event for local residents to mark Gwangyang Citizens' Day.
The steelmaker said on the 30th that it will stage the musical "Prima Donna" free of charge at Baekun Art Hall on Oct. 9. The performance was planned to give Gwangyang residents access to high-quality performing arts and to express gratitude for the community's support over the years.
Two showings will be held that day, at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The performance is open to viewers in middle school and above, and residents who wish to attend can apply through the POSCO website. Attendees will be selected by a lottery held in advance.
"Prima Donna" follows Ji-yu, who returns from music studies in the United States and ends up staying in the countryside after her family suddenly goes bankrupt. There she meets Park Mal-sook, who shares the same dream. The two, who have led entirely different lives, come to understand each other through music and together take on the challenge of reaching a real stage.
The production offers a warm portrait of the longing to chase a dream and the courage to get back up. The process by which characters who have fought hard in very different circumstances are changed by a shared dream is expected to resonate deeply with audiences. With its moving story, the cast's committed performances and lively music, the show is expected to be one that families and neighbors can enjoy together.
An official at Gwangyang Works said, "We will continue to provide diverse opportunities for the local community to enjoy culture, with Baekun Art Hall at the center."
Baekun Art Hall has established itself as a leading performing arts venue for Gwangyang Works employees and local residents since it opened in 1992. It has presented concerts, plays, magic shows and musicals, helping broaden cultural life in the area. This year it has offered programming tailored to different age groups, including the film "Gunche," the musical "Someday," the children's musical "Lightning Man" and the book concert "First Summer, Wanju."
The hall was recently upgraded with the latest lighting and sound systems and a 4K ultra-high-definition projector. With those improvements, Baekun Art Hall is expanding its role beyond an in-house theater into a cultural platform representing Gwangyang.
