Gangseo-gu to Launch ‘After-Work Humanities’ Lecture Series Oct. 1, Offering Evening Talks by Psychology, Art, Economics and Philosophy Experts for Office Workers

The Gangseo-gu Office in Seoul (District Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon) has prepared a humanities lecture series to comfort office workers and residents who keep working late into the night. The district announced it will run ‘Gangseo Happy Humanities School NOW: After-Work Humanities’ from October 1 through November 12, on alternating Thursday evenings at 7 p.m., in the underground community hall of Seoul Startup Hub M Plus (14 Magok Jungang 8-ro) in Magok-dong. Four experts in psychology, art, economics and philosophy will take the stage in rotation to offer comfort and insight for weary daily lives, with the program open to any resident or office worker interested in the humanities.

[코리안투데이] District Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon delivering opening remarks at a humanities lecture (March 3, 2026) © 송정숙 기자

The program stands out for expanding evening lectures to improve access for office workers who have struggled to attend daytime programs. The aim is to let participants use their after-work hours for both learning and rest, and the series illustrates how local lifelong-learning programs are broadening beyond homemakers and retirees to include working professionals as well. Observers say the initiative carries added significance at a time when work-life balance has become a major topic, as the district government is directly creating a space for people to pause and reflect on their way home from work.

[코리안투데이] Promotional material © 송정숙 기자

The series will run for four sessions in total. In the first session (October 1), Park Sang-mi, a professor of cultural psychology at Hanyang University, will lecture on ‘How to Relieve Relationship Stress at Work.’ In the second session (October 15), art docent Baek In-pil will introduce ways to recharge through art in ‘Art Therapy for Recovering Passion in Spain.’ In the third session (October 29), Kim Hyun-woo, head of the Happy Asset Management Center, will share practical financial advice under the title ‘My Assets by My Side: Asset Management for Office Workers.’ The fourth and final session (November 12) will close the series with a philosophy lecture by Ahn Kwang-bok, a teacher at Jungdong High School, who will share life wisdom under the question ‘So How Should I Live?’

Registration opens September 1, with 100 spots available per session on a first-come, first-served basis. The fee is 5,000 won per session, discounted to 12,000 won for those who register for all four sessions at once. Basic livelihood recipients and bereaved family members or relatives of national merit recipients can participate free of charge, while senior citizens, single-parent families and households with multiple children receive a 50 percent discount on the fee. Details on registration can be found on the notice and news board of the Gangseo-gu Office website, and inquiries can be directed to the Education Support Division (☎02-2600-6938).

Gangseo-gu Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon said, ‘I hope this After-Work Humanities program gives residents and office workers who give their best at work and in daily life a moment to catch their breath and find warm comfort.’ He added, ‘I ask for residents’ keen interest and participation in these varied humanities lectures we have prepared.’ The district plans to continue expanding lifelong-learning programs tailored to different life stages and lifestyles going forward.

송정숙 기자 | gangseo@thekoreantoday.com 

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