| Title |
A Study on the Institutional Limitations and Improvement Directions of Underground Clubs in Korea |
| Authors |
김명준(Kim, Myong-Joon) ; 최춘웅(Choi, Choon) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2025.41.9.121 |
| Keywords |
Underground Club; Club Culture; Performance Venue; Food Sanitation Act ;Building Act; Public Performance Act; Urban ulture; Itaewon |
| Abstract |
This study examines the legal status and institutional limitations of underground clubs in South Korea and explores strategies for transitioning these spaces into legitimate cultural venues. Underground clubs are not merely entertainment spaces but serve as cultural laboratories for creativity and experimentation in electronic music, fashion, and design. However, current legal frameworks?including the Food Sanitation Act, Building Act, and Public Performance Act?impose restrictions that hinder their operation, with negative perceptions of standing-room audiences and dance culture contributing to legal ambiguities. This research analyzes these legal gaps and proposes solutions such as introducing new business classifications (e.g., dance halls or live clubs), reintroducing standing-room audience standards, and easing regulations on recreational facilities. By comparing policies in the United States and Japan, the study identifies actionable measures to ensure the sustainability of club culture in South Korea. The findings emphasize the need to recognize underground clubs as spaces of cultural and artistic value rather than mere entertainment venues, aiming to establish a legal framework that supports their growth as legitimate cultural hubs. |