SEOUL, Sept. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – In a bold move to blend art, technology, and urban renewal, Seoul’s Songpa District is set to break ground this month on a pioneering media art installation at Seokchon Lake, marking a first for South Korea’s public spaces.
The project, named The Sphere, is part of an ambitious plan to revitalize Songpa-daero, turning it into a premier destination. It represents a significant step in mayor Seo Kang-seok’s vision to create a “street of excellence” through 25 detailed initiatives.
“The Sphere will be the first of its kind in Korea — a permanent media art installation in an urban waterfront park,” a district official stated on Tuesday. “We aim to offer a uniquely attractive spectacle that can only be experienced in Songpa.”
The installation, a 23-foot-diameter globe featuring a curved LED display, will be erected at the site of the current lake management office. It’s designed to showcase high-resolution content, serving as the centerpiece of the Seokchon Lake Media Forest Creation Project.
Despite attracting approximately 5.5 million visitors last spring, foot traffic at Seokchon Lake has largely been confined to areas near Lotte World Mall and Jamsil Station. The district hopes this new attraction will encourage visitors to explore further along Songpa-daero.
The Sphere is just one of three planned media artworks for the lake. Others include The Cube, a pair of cubes, and The Line, a band-shaped installation.
These works are part of a larger strategy to create a cultural corridor from Seokchon Lake to Garak Market, where visitors will encounter world-class public art, including a trophy-shaped sculpture.
Seo’s Songpa-daero project aims to transform a neglected thoroughfare into a vibrant, walkable street representative of Seoul. As of August, 10 of the 25 sub-projects had been completed, with the majority scheduled for completion by early 2026.
“Starting with The Sphere, we will create a sculpture of light at Seokchon Lake, blending art and cutting-edge technology in a way that’s unprecedented,” Seo said.
“Our goal is to create a unique path from Seokchon Lake to Songpa-daero, attracting countless visitors and ultimately boosting Songpa’s brand value.”
Image credit: Songpa District / photonews@koreabizwire.com
