The National Theater Company of Korea will launch a new outdoor lunchtime series at Myeongdong Theater this month, inviting office workers, residents and tourists to performing arts shows in the middle of Seoul’s bustling shopping district. Titled “Myeongdong Theater at Noon,” the program will take place every Wednesday from Aug. 19 through Oct. 28 at the theater’s outdoor plaza, presenting a total of 10 free performances. The initiative is designed to make art more accessible to people by staging short performances during an hour when most people are free, rather than requiring them to enter a traditional theater venue. No reservations are required to attend. The lineup features veteran artists and groups experienced in outdoor festivals and street theater. It includes traditional mask dancing by the Bongsan Mask Dance Preservation Society, as well as percussion and sangmo — Korea’s traditional ribbon-hat dances — performances by Yeonhui Jeomchuri and Yeonhui Group The Gwangdae. Project Tong, known for movement-based physical theater, will also participate. Theater Asura w