'Seongsu Station Shoe Theme Space' Renovated

Seongdong-gu Creates Hot Places Targeting Young People with Media Art Promotion, Exhibitions, and Digital Kiosk Installations

Seongsu Station Gudo Theme Space

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The ‘Seongsu Station Shoe Theme Space,’ established in 2013 as a symbol of the revival of the Seongsu handmade shoe industry, is undergoing a complete transformation, shedding its worn-out appearance.

Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) is actively promoting an environmental improvement project for the ‘Seongsu Station Shoe Theme Space,’ which had been causing aesthetic discomfort due to facility damage and neglect in a high foot-traffic area within the subway station.

In July, Seongdong-gu, Seoul Metropolitan Government, and Seoul Metro signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote the environmental improvement of the Seongsu Station Shoe Theme Space. They decided to invest 1 billion KRW from Seoul city’s budget and 60 million KRW from Seoul Metro’s budget, with Seongdong-gu overseeing the project and promising inter-agency cooperation until completion.

The existing facility, which was mainly focused on simple exhibitions, will be completely demolished and reborn as an exhibition and promotional space utilizing media with enhanced visual effects to attract the interest and curiosity of the young main users of Seongsu Station.

In the long corridor inside the station, large-scale media art will be installed using the ceiling, floor, walls, and pillars to maximize visual promotional effects with content about the history of the Seongsu handmade shoe industry and engaging materials.

Additionally, distinctive photo zones for taking pictures to upload on SNS will be strategically placed throughout the space.

The existing exhibition area will be transformed into a stylish showroom space for young artisans and emerging designers. A ‘digital signage (kiosk)’ will be installed so visitors to Seongsu-dong can view the status of Seongsu handmade shoe companies at a glance and access desired information in real time.

Other spaces will be designed as resting areas featuring shoe benches symbolizing handmade shoes, naturally promoting the handmade shoe industry.

An official from the district office stated, “We have been accepting bids for the environmental improvement contractor since the 11th. We expect many companies with excellent spatial planning and technical skills to participate. Construction is scheduled to begin in September, with completion and an opening ceremony planned for December.”

Proposals and documents from participating companies should be submitted to the Seongdong Regional Economic Innovation Center by September 1st, referring to the Korea ON-line E-Procurement System (KONEPS) website.

In addition to this project, the district is conducting various initiatives to revitalize the Seongsu handmade shoe industry, including operating the Seongsu Handmade Shoe Hope Platform, managing a joint sales center for handmade shoes, and providing education programs on handmade shoes and leather crafts.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “I hope this project will provide many residents visiting Seongsu Station with a great opportunity to experience Seongsu handmade shoes and the culture of Seongsu-dong. I also look forward to Seongsu Station becoming a landmark and promotional hotspot for the handmade shoe industry.”

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