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Busan Metropolitan City Expands “2026 Youth Culture and Arts Pass” for Youth Aged 19–20

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will fully implement the “2026 Youth Culture and Arts Pass Program” to expand opportunities for youth to enjoy culture and to support their growth into proactive cultural consumers.

This program is jointly implemented by Busan Metropolitan City and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and is operated by the Arts Council Korea. It provides support for performance and exhibition viewing costs for young people taking their first steps into society.

In 2026, eligibility will be expanded from age 19 to ages 19–20 (those born in 2006–2007). A total of 15,624 applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis among youth whose resident registration address is in Busan.

This figure corresponds to approximately 31% of Busan’s population aged 19–20 (50,406 as of June 2025). Regardless of income level, any youth in the eligible age group may apply; however, among those born in 2006, anyone who used Youth Culture and Arts Pass points in 2025 will be ineligible to apply.

The support amount is up to KRW 200,000 per person per year (KRW 150,000 from the national budget and KRW 50,000 from the City budget).

This year, the scope of support has been expanded beyond performances and exhibitions to include movie admissions, further broadening cultural options for youth. The number of partner ticketing platforms has also increased from two to seven to enhance convenience. However, movie use is limited to a maximum of four times (non-capital region standard).

The application and issuance period runs from Feb. 25 to Jun. 30, and the usage period is through Dec. 31 of this year based on the viewing date. However, even if the pass is issued, if there is no spending at all by Jul. 31 based on the reservation date, the support funds will be recovered.

After applying for and receiving issuance via the Youth Culture and Arts Pass website (https://youthculturepass.or.kr/), recipients may use the provided points when booking performances, exhibitions, and movies through the seven partner ticketing platforms: NOL Ticket, YES24, Ticketlink, Melon Ticket, Megabox, Lotte Cinema, and CGV.

Meanwhile, Busan Metropolitan City plans to separately implement the “Busan Youth 10,000 Won+ Culture Pass Program,” which has received strong positive responses from youth since its launch in 2024, in the first half of this year for Busan-resident youth (ages 18–39).

However, participants in the Youth Culture and Arts Pass Program are not eligible for duplicate support, and eligible individuals (ages 19–20) will be restricted from applying for the Busan Youth 10,000 Won+ Culture Pass Program.

Mayor Park Heong-joon said, “I hope the Youth Culture and Arts Pass will serve as a catalyst that goes beyond simply supporting cultural expenses and helps young people build cultural literacy,” adding, “Together with the Busan Youth 10,000 Won+ Culture Pass, we will actively support more Busan youth so they can experience culture and the arts in their daily lives.”