Seoul’s historic Myeongdong shopping district is set to undergo an ambitious transformation into “Myeongdong Square.” (Image courtesy of Seoul’s Jung District)
SEOUL, Oct. 24 (Korea Bizwire) – Seoul’s historic Myeongdong shopping district is set to undergo an ambitious transformation into “Myeongdong Square,” a digital entertainment hub that officials hope will rival New York’s Times Square.
“Myeongdong Square will provide an immersive experience that surpasses Times Square’s grandeur and will emerge as a new global tourist destination,” Kim Gil-sung, the head of Jung District, announced at a press conference on October 23.
The project, which won top marks among 11 candidates in the Ministry of Interior and Safety’s “Free Display Zone” competition in June of last year, will be implemented over a decade, from 2023 to 2033, with an estimated investment of 170 billion won.
The transformation will include the installation of 16 large LED displays on buildings and 80 smart media poles throughout the district. The first phase, beginning this year, will see LED displays mounted on six major buildings, including Shinsegae Department Store, Lotte Young Plaza, and Hana Bank. Lotte Department Store will feature South Korea’s largest LED display at 2,145 square meters, which will be visible from Jongno District.
Four themed plazas, each representing one of the four primary colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), will be created at key intersections. The K-Square near Shinsegae Department Store is scheduled to open by the end of this month.
The district will also pioneer a unified content management system, allowing synchronized displays across all screens – a world first, according to officials. Twenty-five percent of advertising space will be reserved for public service content.
The initiative includes the installation of smart media poles equipped with CCTV cameras, emergency bells, and public Wi-Fi. A public-private council, including representatives from the district office, major retailers, and the Myeongdong Tourism Special Zone Association, will oversee content management.
The project is expected to generate annual revenues of 50 billion won after completion, with a portion reinvested in infrastructure improvements and local business development.
The first LED display will be inaugurated at Shinsegae Department Store’s main building on November 1, operating from 6 a.m. to midnight daily. A New Year’s countdown celebration utilizing the digital displays is planned for December 31.
“This isn’t just about installing large displays,” said Kim. “We’re creating a new space that will boost both economic vitality and cultural-artistic value through rich, engaging content.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
