40 Years of Experience: Seo Seung-man’s Vision for National Jeongdong Theater Explained

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Seo Seung-man, a well-known comedian aligned with President Lee Jae-myung who was recently named CEO of the National Jeongdong Theater, pushed back against questions about his qualifications and accusations of political patronage by posting his resume and awards on social media.

On the 10th, Seo published a lengthy Facebook post with several photos that opened, “I have been appointed director of the National Jeongdong Theater.”

“Records don’t lie,” he wrote. “With 40 years of on-the-ground experience and administrative know-how, I will open a new chapter for the Jeongdong Theater,” he said, expressing his determination.

Seo said he accepts the concerns and scrutiny surrounding his appointment, but urged critics to judge him by his record and achievements rather than by labels. He then laid out a detailed account of his career.

He described himself as “a stage and video specialist forged by 40 years of field experience.” “I did not remain only an actor in front of the camera,” he wrote. “I wrote and directed scripts for MBC comedy programs, which honed my skills as a producer and planner. As a film director, I also helmed projects that deepened my engagement with the visual arts.”

Presenting himself as “a rational manager shaped by a Ph.D. in public administration,” Seo noted that he earned his doctorate from Kookmin University Graduate School, grounding him in organizational management and public policy theory. He added that he operated private theaters of roughly 250 and 350 seats in Daehangno and Guro for more than eight years, overseeing everything from fundraising and staffing to marketing, and confronting the sector’s practical challenges as a hands-on executive.

Framing himself as “a public leader who has delivered social value,” Seo said he did not focus solely on box-office success. He cited projects such as the children’s safety musical “Nono Story” as evidence of his commitment to social messaging. He added that his work earned recognition in the public sphere, including two awards from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and selection as “Small Hero in Daily Life No. 1,” which he says validated his sincerity in public service.

He closed by saying he had compiled his career record for those concerned about his expertise and asked readers to review his roughly 40 years of continuous work to assess both his path and the future of Jeongdong. He also asked that the post be shared.

Seo publicly endorsed President Lee in February 2022 and has since been active as a pro-Lee YouTuber. He ran in the 2024 general election as a candidate for the Democratic Union — a proportional satellite party associated with the Democratic Party — but failed to win a seat.

In 2021, amid allegations of preferential treatment in the Daejang-dong development, Seo posted, “I hope those who criticize the Daejang-dong development get stomach pain and end up with colon cancer after the presidential election.” The remark drew backlash, and he later apologized.

That incident has amplified accusations that his appointment amounts to political patronage. The debate intensified after reports in February that Jang Dong-jik, another figure known for pro-Lee views, was appointed chairman of the National Jeongdong Theater’s board.

In response, Choi Hwi-young, the minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, “We expect Director Seo to strengthen the National Jeongdong Theater’s role as a tourism asset and to play a key role in promoting outstanding performances beyond Korea to the world, based on his accumulated field experience and promotional capabilities.”