There are myriads of co-operativess in Korea.
It's a growing trend, especially in the field of culture and arts.
Since landing permanent jobs can be an illusive goal for many of these professionals...
forging such a link amongst each can a solid option.
Our Cha Sang-mi explains why Co-ops are not an outdated concept.
Behind the walls of this run-down house in southwest Seoul, is the sound of acoustic
guitar, the colorful garments of pantomime artists, and a crowd getting into the rhythm.
This house concert is a part of this old neighborhood's restoration program.
But it also serves as a bridge to connect underground artists with locals, most of whom
have difficult lives.
This concert is run by 'BesideU', a co-op of ten artists with different talents.
Since its inception in 2008 as a small library, BesideU has been working on numerous activities,
from publishing to consultation.
(KOREAN) "The best part about co-ops is that we can
create a virtuous cycle where our meaningful work doesn't end.
The first members grew into artists and are now fostering the second generation.
We can tell our own story and it feels like we are dressed in 'perfectly fitting' clothes."
The category of culture and arts covers a wide range of co-ops.
Theatre group Mangwondong Brothers, is named after a play with the same name.
Its 40 members -- some actors, some producers, and some even professors -- came together
to continue performing the play.
(KOREAN) "In fact, not just actors and actresses, but
staff are also out of work whenever a project ends.
But since the 'Mangwondong Brothers' co-op was formed, each member found their own identities.
Despite our occasional fights, we are much happier within the co-op."
The government passed regulations in 2012 giving a legal framework to culture and arts
co-ops in fields like indie music, modern dance, ballet and drama.
(Stand-up) "The number of co-ops related to culture and
arts is on the rise.
...As of August this year, 428 of Seoul's nearly 3000 co-ops, nearly 14-point-5 percent
of the total, are registered under this broad field."
The culture and arts category encompasses publishing, media and information services,
as well as arts, sports and leisure.
And the head of Seoul Co-op Support Center says culture and arts co-ops have unique qualities
that make them different from other sectors.
(KOREAN) "There is a growing number of artists who
visit our center for consultation.
They often have precarious jobs.
Establishing a co-op isn't hard, but since a co-op is considered a corporation, it has
to generate revenues.
And I think artists are often very talented, but have strong personalities, which put them
off working together."
An expert in the field of co-op management says conflict between members is natural;
the most important is how they get through it.
(ENGLISH) "If they decide to form co-operative, they
(should) open their mind as co-op members and share their knowledge and even if complex
situation pops up, they should try to solve the problem together."
When the members realize the value of cooperation and are ready to spread that value to others,
they are finally ready to run a successful co-op.
(KOREAN) "We can't say how far our co-op will go, but
since we are the pioneers of this field, we feel a big responsibility.
People around us are curious about how we are coping and we ourselves wonder what the
biggest force behind our bond is."
(KOREAN) "Not many pay attention to culture and arts
co-ops since we are still just starting up.
As they look at culture and arts co-ops from only an economic perspective, it's hard to
get support.
Even though we are all co-ops, I hope people will appreciate our value as art and support
us."
Apart from the co-op members' efforts to come up with a business model and realize their
self-worth, experts say that co-ops also need help from the outside.
This help could come through government policies to help co-ops financially, from the private
sector as part of their corporate responsibility, or from public support and awareness of the
artistic work that co-ops do.
Cha Sang-mi, Arirang News.