KoCACA stage prop manager honored

Lee Byeong-sub, front row second from right, is the recipient of this year's "Unsung Hero Award" from Seoul Cyber University. Lee has been a stage prop manager at the Korean Culture and Arts Centers Association since 2003. / Courtesy of Seoul Cyber University

By Lee Hae-rin

Lee Byeong-sub, a stage prop manager at the Korean Culture and Arts Centers Association (KoCACA), received this year's "Unsung Hero Award" presented by the Seoul Cyber University at the university's Tchaikovsky Hall, Monday, for his offstage contributions to art and culture.

Since 2003, Lee, 50, has been managing the association's 9,851-square-meter warehouse in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, where stage equipment, costumes and props used in performances at national theaters, opera, and ballet are stored.

"I have always been fond of art and culture," Lee told The Korea Times, Thursday, on how and why he started working as the warehouse keeper. "And the warehouse happened to be close to where I live, on the outskirts of town. Seoul is an expensive city to build and keep a warehouse and that's why we are here."

The theaters using the KoCACA warehouse include the National Theater Company of Korea, Korean National Ballet, Korea National Opera, Gyeonggi Arts Center, Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, Seoul Ballet Theater and Seoul Performing Arts Company.

Sometimes Lee stays awake for a whole 24 hours, waiting for the props to return after large-scale spectacles which end late.

"I feel somewhat ashamed to receive such a huge award for doing my job. I appreciate the recognition, but there are many backstage crew members who work harder and make greater contributions and deserve recognition," Lee said.

Seoul Cyber University gives the award to unrecognized individuals or groups of all nationalities to honor their unseen work in the arts and culture industry in Korea. The winner of the award receives a prize of 30 million won ($ 24,939) and a plaque.

The university also gave special awards to three others who contributed to art education, incubating new artists, activating local cultural scenes and promoting performance art through publications. The special awardees each received 10 million ($ 8,311) won and a plaque.

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