Talented children pursue dreams at Hanlim (2024)

Students of Hanlim Multi Art School perform a musical during an event held every year at the school auditorium in Seoul. / Courtesy of Hanlim Multi Art School

‘Good teachers, unique curriculum make school popular'

Lee Hyun-man, principal of Hanlim Multi Art School

By Bahk Eun-ji

"My interest is always what I can do for the underprivileged people who don't have education opportunities," said Lee Hyun-man, 76, principal of Hanlim Multi Art School and chairman of the school board.

"Many years ago, I happened to see several young children who were dancing on a subway platform, I thought there was no school for those talented children in this country, and I came to think those people are also underprivileged in a way," Lee said.

He explained how he came up with the idea of establishing the art school.

Hanlim is the nation's first secondary public art school teaching popular culture. Unlike traditional art school, students can learn performance, practical music and dance, music, modeling and film making. It was set up in 2009 and accredited by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.

"When it comes to education, my philosophy is to embrace neglected people. I saw so many talented young children but no one provided an adequate education for them at that time. I believe we, adults have to guide the young generation in the right way," the principal said.

Students of the drama department at Hanlim Multi Art School rehearse during a class at the school in Seoul. / Courtesy of Hanlim Multi Art School

Before Hanlim became the art school, it used to be a school for female adults who were unable to go to school in their childhood due to financial difficulties in the 1960s.

For 50 years, Hanlim was the place many housewives could achieve academic accomplishment.

"Thanks to Korea's rapid economic growth for the last 50 years, there are now few people who cannot get a basic education. I realized Hanlim had to be changed to play its role as a school for neglected people," Lee said he found the answer from the young children who are dreaming of being entertainers.

"Hallyu has been the key word for many industries not only in Korea but worldwide for years. I felt sorry for those talented children who are interested in pop culture, because the public education system couldn't embrace all of them at that time," Lee said.

Lee said he still feels sorry for many children who fail to enter the school. The student quota is about 800, but almost 2,000 students applied last year.

The principal said good teachers as well as the unique curriculum are key factors that have made the school so popular among students even though it was established only five years ago.

"We have tried to hire the best teachers for each department. The best teachers mean that they are excellent not only for teaching dance or performance, but for providing personality development education that builds students' character," Lee said.

Academic achievement is important but building a healthy character is also an important role that public schools have to play for children, the principal noted.

"Almost 20,000 students drop out of school in Seoul every year. I think many of them couldn't adapt themselves to regular schools, as they are interested in popular art. Those schools just want children to study to enter a good college or university, ignoring their distinct individuality," Lee said.

According to data from the education office, the number of students who dropped out of school last year in Seoul stood at 16,126 at primary and secondary schools.

Lee pointed out that many of those dropouts can find their talent and become excellent members of society by going through an adequate education program.

"I believe Hanlim has been playing a pivotal role in guiding them to take the right way and continue to do so in the future," Lee said.

Hanlim's students' goals are mainly separated into two tracks: to enter colleges specializing in pop art, and paving a professional career path as an actor, singer or other performer.

Students, who want to go to college, need to follow a similar curriculum to other regular high schools in order to prepare for the College Scholastic Ability Test. Other students, who want to be entertainers, take extra lectures to train them in singing, performance, acting and film making after the regular course is finished at 4 p.m.

"The schedule is very tight and tiring but students always do their best when they are training. I think it's because they know that they are doing what they want," Lee said.

He also noted he is very proud of the alumni of Hanlim who have been highly active as entertainers, especially various idol groups.

Dong-ho from U-KISS; Christal from F(X); Areum from Tiara; and Subin from Dal Shabet are popular K-pop singers who graduated from Hanlim.

Lee believes those alumni who have been building their professional career as entertainers can also make the school become more reliable for his students. He said his final goal is to launch an art company under the name of Hanlim so that students can pursue their dreams.

"The local entertainment industry is dominated by several giant management firms, and many children have faced endless competition. If we set up an art company, not many children will have to give up their dreams," Lee said.

"And I believe that our graduates will help us achieve the goal," the principal said with confidence.