[Culture&] "Nostalgia of the Old Boyoung Theater"… Donghae City's 'La La Land' Drive-In Theater Transformation, Early Reservation 'Sold Out'

Balhan-dong, Donghae City, Gangwon is transforming into a romantic Street of Movies. Donghae City announced that on the 6th at 7:30 PM, it will open 'Balhan's Moonlit Night, Drive-In Theater' at the public parking lot of the Balhan-dong Administrative Welfare Center. This event is gaining attention as a cultural attempt to revitalize the old downtown area.

This theater, planned as part of the Balhan District Urban Regeneration Activation Project, will accommodate 45 vehicles for simultaneous viewing. The film to be screened is the globally popular musical movie 'La La Land'. The response from citizens has been enthusiastic. As soon as reservations opened, they were sold out early, proving the explosive interest in this event.

Balhan-dong, where the event is taking place, is not just a simple location. It was a cultural center where three theaters thrived, coinciding with the heyday of Mukho Port. In particular, the old Boyoung Theater, loved by citizens from the 1960s to the 1990s, served as a cultural refuge and a meeting place for the people of Donghae City at that time.

Donghae City has modernly reinterpreted this historical context. The drive-in theater of 2026 is expected to be a medium that evokes nostalgia for that era beyond just screening movies. This project, connecting the past and present, is anticipated to inject new cultural vitality into the stagnant old downtown area.

Jeon Mi-ae, head of the Urban Maintenance Division of Donghae City, stated, "We confirmed the high interest of citizens as it sold out shortly after registration began," and added, "I hope this event will provide unforgettable memories for local residents and serve as an opportunity to inject new vitality into the local community."