Is Seo Seung-man’s Leadership at National Jeongdong Theater a Political Favor? Insights into the Controversy

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Seo Seung-man, a former comedian who now heads the National Jeongdong Theater, pushed back against claims that his appointment was political patronage, saying, “Criticism is short; art is long.”

In a Facebook post on April 12, Seo wrote, “In the two days after my appointment I saw about 100 articles. Some directed sharp scrutiny at me personally, but it also reminded me how intensely the public cares about the National Jeongdong Theater.”

He added, “Some people try to define who I am today by piecing together fragments of my past. Others use a brief, impulsive post as a tool to deny the time I’ve spent and the expertise I’ve built. I will not be shaken by that. When biased views chase controversy, I will focus on creating high-quality content for the public to enjoy.”

Seo pledged, “Criticism is short, and art is long. I will prove myself through results and answer with achievements.” He also quoted former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill: “A kite does not rise by riding the wind; it rises highest when it faces the wind.”

Seo debuted in 1989 on the 3rd MBC Gag Contest. He went on to work in television, stage directing, and theater management, evolving into a performing-arts and content planner. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Theater and Film and Visual Media from Kookmin University and a doctorate in public administration. He has served as artistic director of the troupe Sangsang Nanum and as director of the small Sangsang Nanum Theater. His directing credits include madangnori productions such as Ondal-a, Pyeonggang-a and Bbaengpajeon, as well as the musicals Nono Story and Tunnel.

The People Power Party called Seo “an individual who repeatedly sparked controversy with offensive remarks” and demanded that the government withdraw his appointment. The party cited a 2021 social media post tied to allegations around the Daejang-dong development in which Seo wrote, “Those who bash the Daejang-dong development. After the presidential election, I hope they get stomachaches and develop colon cancer” — a post he deleted and later apologized for after it drew criticism. In a statement, party chief spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon criticized the appointment as a textbook case of political patronage and called it the definitive example of a partisan, or “code,” appointment.

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