Ministry of Culture helps test-takers unwind with discounts and freebies

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced various cultural benefits, including free museum and art exhibitions and discounts at multiplex movie theaters, for students who took the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) on Thursday.

Test-takers wait to solve exam questions of the College Scholastic Ability Test on Thursday at Hanbat High School in Daejeon. [JOONGANG PHOTO]

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced various cultural benefits, including free museum and art exhibitions and discounts at multiplex movie theaters, for students who took the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) on Thursday.

“[The ministry] hopes the test-takers will fully wind down and relax after the exam while enjoying various cultural experiences,” Yu Byung-chae, head of the Culture and Arts Policy Office at the ministry, said Thursday. “Those who took the exam will be able to widen their perspective and develop cultural tastes after the CSAT, which is a time to prepare for the new chapter in their lives.”

The National Museum of Korea will offer free tickets for the upcoming special exhibition, “Tree and Serpent, Early Buddhist Art in India,” co-organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The exhibition will open on Dec. 22.

Gyeongju National Museum will run an online cultural course only for test-takers from Monday, titled “Aged 20: What if my first travel destination is Gyeongju?” to provide helpful tips to make their trips to Gyeongju more fruitful.

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) will give free admission to all Korean nationals under 24, including high schoolers in their final academic year. The Seoul, Gwacheon, Deoksugung and Cheongju MMCA branches will offer the benefit.

Test-takers hold their test slips verifying their identity at Youngil High School in North Gyeongsang on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

Test-takers with their application slips are eligible for tours of the Blue House without making reservations in advance through Dec. 31. The Blue House, which used to serve as the presidential office and residence, opened its gates to the public last year, and reservations are mandatory for general visitors.

The National Library of Korea will hand out souvenirs to a total of 100 test-takers who participate in the “Open Space Shilgam Exhibition Tour” on a first-come, first-served basis from Thursday to Dec. 16. As the word shilgam itself is used to describe something that feels alive, the exhibition uses digital technology to provide an immersive and interactive experience where visitors could read Korean literature written a few centuries ago.

Seoul Arts Center will share filmed performances with Korean high schools nationwide. High schools equipped with screening and sound equipment can watch recordings of the opera “The Magic Flute” and the play “The Return” after an online request. The test-takers with this year’s test slips can receive a 50 percent discount on tickets for SAC Saturday Concert this Saturday and the SAC Heart Classic Concert with KT on Nov. 24.

Test-takers celebrate their freedom after the test as they leave Youngbok Girl's High School in Suwon on Nov. 17, 2022. [YONHAP]

Crew members from the Regional Culture & Development Agency’s “Cheongchun Mic” project will deliver special performances for the benefit of future college students. The performances will take place at Dongseongro 28 Art Square in Daegu on Nov. 28., Millac The Market in Busan on Nov. 29., and Space Jak in Bucheon, Gyeonggi and Anyoung Insadong in Seoul on Dec. 3.

Arko & Daehakro Arts Theater will offer 50 percent discounts on tickets for the recital performance, “Spring Writer, Winter Stage,” which will run through Dec. 24 from Friday.

Test-takers can receive a 10,000 won ($8) discount from the original ticket price for the performances on Nov. 29 at Namhansanseong Art Hall and musical performances at Yeoncheon Sureul Art Hall on Dec. 1 and 2. Audiences can enjoy traditional Korean music, melodies played by Western instruments, and famous musical numbers.

Test-Takers could also enjoy the exhibitions at Seoul Arts & Tech Festival Unfold X for free at Culture Station Seoul 284, the former Seoul Station building right next to today’s Seoul Station. The benefit will be valid until Dec. 13.

Korean movie theater chain CGV offers discounts for the test-takers. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Korean movie theater chains Megabox, CGV and Lotte Cinema will let test-takers see movies for 7,000 won, about half price. They will also offer free or discounted popcorn.

Professional sports leagues will also provide discounted or free seats at games. Test-takers seeing football, volleyball and basketball games can benefit from the deal, as can their accompaniment. Specific discount rates and eligibility differ per team.

The ministry will post details of events that might catch test-takers' attention on its separate portal curating information about cultural events called the Munhwa portal. It will also circulate information to 17 education offices nationwide.

BY HAN JEE-HYE, LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]