Club Seolhwa

The club where the tiger, goblin, Nolbu, and the nine-tailed fox shout, "I am the most wronged"

On stage, the tiger, goblin, Nolbu, and the nine-tailed fox each try to convince the audience that they are the most wronged, and I cast my vote for one of them. CLUB Seolhwa is an audience-participation performance that twists familiar folktales, folk stories, and legends into a modern form, blending a musical and a club party onto one stage. It is not a show you sit still and watch; you move around freely, talk directly with the actors, and join in games and events along the way. Near the end, a salpuri ritual is performed for the being that receives the most votes, and in that moment the noisy club atmosphere suddenly becomes heavy and quiet. The venue is 'Theater ON' inside KBS in Yeouido, and the casts in the performances I saw included actors such as An Hyeon-seok, Park Hui-su, Park Hye-won, and Lee Yang-hwa, who shared roles like the tiger and the nine-tailed fox.

How to get to Yeouido KBS alone as a foreign visitor

The first thing to decide is the ticket. CLUB Seolhwa is sold like a regular performance through booking sites such as Interpark, with tickets for each show date, so I recommend booking online in advance rather than trying to buy one on the spot. Popular dates or shows with specific actors sell out quickly, so if there is a cast you want to see, it is best to hurry. Reservations and payment are handled by major Korean ticketing sites by card, and foreign cards can sometimes get blocked during identity verification, so it helps to use the account of a friend in Korea or ask your hotel concierge for assistance.

The route is simpler than you might expect. The address of the Yeouido KBS Hall is 13, Yeouigongwon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Korea Broadcasting System. I took Subway Line 9, and from Exit 4 of National Assembly Station, it takes about 4 minutes to reach the front of the KBS building. If you come by Line 5, you will walk about 15 to 20 minutes across Yeouido Park from Exit 3 of Yeouido Station. However, since the KBS complex in Yeouido is divided into the Main Building, New Building, and Annex, the trick is to search the exact venue name (Theater ON) in Kakao Map or Naver Map before going so you do not get lost. Navigation apps also support English, so even a foreign visitor can find it without difficulty.

If you were thinking of driving, think again. The KBS visitor parking lot charges 1,000 KRW per 10 minutes from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, so the parking fee adds up quite a bit during a single show. There is an notice that it becomes free after 6:00 PM, but if the show time is awkward, public transportation is still the most comfortable choice. Even for evening performances, Yeouido has relatively late last trains on Lines 9 and 5, so getting home was not a major concern.

A performance where you stand, shout, and cast votes

Once you enter, the atmosphere is clearly different from a typical musical. Since you are not tied to a seat and instead move around the space while watching, comfortable sneakers and light clothing that lets you move easily are the right choice. Since chanting and cheering are part of the show, even if you do not know Korean, the actors clearly guide you with expressions and gestures like "come this way" and "raise your hand." Even if you cannot understand 100% of the lyrics or dialogue, you end up following along by instinct to figure out who is the tiger, who is the nine-tailed fox, and whose side to take right now. However, voting and game instructions are mostly in Korean, so glancing at the person next to you once or actively getting into the mood is the best way to enjoy it.

In the show I saw, during the nine-tailed fox number the audience screamed together as if we were one body, and it was impressive how that energy seemed to bounce straight back to the stage. The salpuri scene that follows after all the excitement feels strangely poignant, because the concept is about releasing the sorrow of the being we had just been teasing and laughing at. It felt like tasting the excitement of a K-pop concert venue and the emotion of traditional Korean culture in one place.

Things to know before you go so you are less surprised

If you prepare just a few things in advance, you can enjoy it much more smoothly.

• Do not rely on buying tickets impulsively at the venue; book online in advance. Since foreign card payments may be blocked, check your payment method beforehand.
• Because it is a performance with lots of standing and movement, sneakers are more comfortable than shoes with heels.
• Since the voting and game instructions are mainly in Korean, you should not expect separate English interpretation, but because the performance is movement-based, you can still follow the mood.
• Subway is recommended over driving — Exit 4 of National Assembly Station (Line 9) is the closest.

Please note that details such as entry time, cast by show date, and exact running time may change, so I recommend checking the booking page once more before you go.

So, who is it recommended for?

It is perfect for people who prefer jumping in and shouting rather than sitting quietly and watching, and for foreign friends who want to meet Korean characters like goblins and the nine-tailed fox with the energy of a K-pop club. Even if you do not know Korean well, it is a performance you enjoy with your body, so the barrier to entry is low, and afterward you are left with the feeling that "I was part of that stage today." If you have a chance to go to Yeouido, leave one evening open and cast your vote for the stories of the tiger and the nine-tailed fox.