Lost in the amplifier abyss, Busan's university bands sound venue SOS

K-campus

Published: 07 May. 2024, 17:59 Updated: 07 May. 2024, 18:02

Lost in the amplifier abyss, Busan's university bands sound venue SOS

A student band holds a performance near the main gate of Pusan National University in 2008, with traffic being halted. [CHANNEL PNU]

A Pusan National University student, enrolled in the Department of Psychology, is part of a student band that organized a performance at a pub in Busandaehak-ro in Geumjeong District, Busan, last year.

Despite the hard work and considerable amount of money paid to use the venue, the band wasn't satisfied.

“The space was cramped, and there were issues with the sound system, like having an old microphone, because it hadn't operated during the Covid-19 pandemic," said the student. "But there aren't many performance venues in Busandaehak-ro, and I didn't have much choice."

Other Pusan National University students also express frustration over the lack of performance venues near the university.

According to a survey of 150 Busan youth conducted by the university's newspaper Channel PNU in October and November last year, 60 percent said the accessibility of performance venues for Pusan National University clubs and young people was "insufficient." Another 28 percent found it "adequate," and only 2 percent said it was "sufficient" and "very sufficient."

"There aren't enough places to perform in Geumjeong District, including Busandaehak-ro," said Kim Jong-wan, president of Pusan National University's dance club UCDC. "Although many student bands at Pusan National University exist, only a small number can showcase their performances due to the shortage of stages."

UCDC, Pusan National University's student dance club, pose for a photo after holding a performance in Seomyeon in Busanjin District, Busan, last year. [CHANNEL PNU]

To solve the problem, clubs are venturing out to places where it’s easier to secure places to perform.
According to UCDC president Kim, the club mostly performs at locations such as the Haeundae Busking Zone in Haeundae District, the Gwangalli Busking Zone in Suyeong District, Seomyeon Sangsangmadang in Busanjin District and the Asiad Main Stadium in Yeonje District.

All four venues are far from the university's Busan Campus, taking around a one-hour bus ride to get there.

Student clubs can earn profits from those external performances, and the profit is all used to book stages near the university.

"We maximize performance opportunities as much as possible, using the money earned from external performances to create our own stages on campus,” said Kim.

Not being able to hold performances in front of the university's main gate since 2013 is one of the main reasons why students struggle to find performance venues.

There was a stage in front of the main gate of the university since the 1980s, which allowed students to perform dances, sing and host plays.

When the NC Department Store's Busan Univ Branch opened in 2012 in a 10-minute walking distance from the university, there were complaints about noise from performances at the main gate.

Although the then-General Students' Association and Club Association requested the department store to allow students to perform, performances at the main gate have been discontinued since 2013.

Indie band culture is also gradually disappearing, with privately operated live pubs losing their grounds. Instead, commercial pubs have been emerging in the Busandaehak-ro area since the 2010s.

"As university students, one should be able to meet diverse people, share their thoughts and experience both the academic field and performing arts," said 61-year-old Kim Jung-sub.

Kim has been operating Pictures at an Exhibition, a live music cafe, and Interplay Club, a live music bar, near Pusan National University since 1993.

Students say being able to communicate with organizations that can provide performance venues will be helpful.

"It would be beneficial if networks were established to facilitate smooth communication between clubs and organizations like the Geumjeong Foundation for Arts & Culture," said Shin Hee, a Pusan National University student part of the PNU Drama Club, which hosted the Autumn Performances Arts Festival last year.

Some also say the university needs to offer additional help.

“Universities need to transform themselves into places that provide more opportunities and experiences for students to create their own lives," said Lee Yil-lae, a professor teaching sociology at Pusan National University. "It’s important to secure spaces in a way that guarantees students’ autonomy and creativity to make campus culture blossom.”

This article has been contributed by Yoon Da-gyo, Choi Yoo-min, Choi Sun-woo, Lee Soo-hyun and Kim Tae-yi of Channel PNU from Pusan National University.

BY STUDENT REPORTERS YOON DA-GYO, CHOI YOO-MIN, CHOI SUN-WOO, LEE SOO-HYUN, KIM TAE-YI OF CHANNEL PNU [pnuherald@gmail.com]