Opening of a Cultural Experiment Space at Seokchon Lake in Songpa-gu

Restaurant Previously Privately Operated at Seokchon Lake Transforms into 'Public Cultural Space'... Online Opening on the 18th

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su)'s representative landmark, Seokchon Lake, has been transformed into a cultural space for residents.

Seokchon Lake, the only natural lake in Seoul, is divided into East Lake and West Lake, equipped with various convenience facilities. The Songpa Tourism Information Center is located at East Lake, while West Lake houses Lotte World Adventure, cafes, restaurants, and more.

The district had been considering ways to utilize the cafes and restaurants in West Lake, which were operated under private consignment, as their contracts expired on October 31 last year.

After gathering opinions from residents and experts, the district decided to promote the 'Seokchon Lake Public Culture Project' for residents instead of commercial facilities.

From January this year, the district remodeled the space over about two months, transforming the former restaurant into a cultural experimental space. Named 'Hosoo' (Lake), this space will offer various programs in a pop-up store format.

'Hosoo' is a three-story facility composed of spaces with diverse concepts. Visitors can experience a variety of cultural programs in one place, including a performance and exhibition hall, a diversity cinema, an instrument lounge, a cooking studio, Hosoo Garden, and a smart healthcare zone.

Considering the COVID-19 situation, the district will first hold an online opening ceremony on the 18th. Future offline cultural programs at 'Hosoo' will be made available for viewing by anyone through the 'Songpa TV' website (www.songpa.tv) and YouTube channel.

The programs include music performances and one-day class lectures. △ The 'Hosoo Home Concert' features jazz, traditional Korean music (gugak), and practical music, with performances by pianist Lee Ye-ji, ajaeng player Seong Han-yeoreum, and busking band Nasanghyun's Band. △ The 'Hosoo Home One-Day Class' offers a gardening class to learn spring sowing and a pasta cooking class.

To commemorate the opening, an event will also be held. Viewers who leave comments about their impressions of the 'Hosoo Home' program on the 'Songpa TV' YouTube channel will be entered into a draw to win priority access to the cooking studio rental.

The district plans to conduct on-site programs from early June, depending on the COVID-19 situation. Additionally, the facility formerly operated as a cafe (Gogos) is preparing to reopen as a small performance venue with audience participation in the second half of the year.

Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, “Seokchon Lake, a famous landmark of Seoul, will become a new cultural hub with the cultural experimental space and a future art gallery.” He added, “Through diverse methods such as the online opening of 'Hosoo,' we will provide culture so that residents' daily lives become culture, creating Songpa as a culture-centered city.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.