It is believed to be the oldest movie theater in Korea, having been founded in 1895.

It is believed to predate what was widely considered to be the first movie theater, Dansungsa, which was founded in 1907.

According to a book (《개항과 양관 역정》) from Choe Seong-yeon, the theater was first founded in 1895, during the First Sino-Japanese War, as Hyŏmnyulsa (협률사; 協律舍; Hyeomnyulsa, not to be confused with Hyŏmnyulsa, which has a different final Hanja character).

[4] In 1912, it changed its name to Ch'uk'angsa (축항사; 築港舍; Chukangsa).

[4] In 1921, it again changed its name to Ae Kwan (애관; 愛館; Aegwan), and renovated on October 10, 1927.