Aegwan Theater

Aegwan Theater is the first and oldest theater in South Korea with a deep history. In 1895, a wealthy Korean named Jeong Chi-guk established a performance venue called Hyeopnyulsa in the Sa-ri-jae area of Gyeong-dong, which gained great popularity. Hyeopnyulsa changed its name to 'Aegwan' in 1925, meaning 'to love watching.' The theater was destroyed during the Korean War (6·25 War) and reopened in 1960. At one time, the Gyeong-dong area flourished as Incheon's cinema hub, even being called 'Cinema Street,' but over time it declined. While other theaters closed, Aegwan Theater survived and in 2004 was reborn as a multiplex (5 screens) equipped with state-of-the-art projectors and a digital sound system. Even today, it screens the latest films and hosts various special screenings and events to revitalize local visual culture. Beyond being a simple theater, it continues to play a vital role as a local cultural and artistic space. If you want to learn more about Aegwan Theater, it is also recommended to watch the documentary film <To Love Watching>, which is about Aegwan Theater.