Evolution of the Publishing Creation Hub 'Mapo Publishing Culture Promotion Center'?

Startup publishers, authors, illustrators, and booktubers residing at the 'Publishing Creation Hub' launch support programs including courses, mentoring, and networking... Residents show high satisfaction... Evolving into a platformP with competitiveness hard to experience in general co-working spaces

Seo Ji-hyung artist

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seo Ji-hyung (42), a mother of two children and author of the drawing guidebook for the general public, "Chairs and Doodles" (2019), rated Platform P a perfect score of 100. Seo said, "This place is where slow and quiet solidarity happens. Since you can choose and experience lectures, mentoring, and networking activities tailored to your needs in one space, it offers an excellent opportunity in terms of time utilization."

This was a story about Platform P's unique competitiveness, which is hard to experience in typical co-working spaces. In fact, Platform P operates support programs such as specialized lectures for creators and resident companies, one-on-one mentoring, and networking seminars.

This can be seen as a differentiating factor from other systems that focus on facility management after setting up facilities and bringing in related industry workers as residents.

Jung Ki-young (54), CEO of the newly established publishing company Mobidic Communication, which published "Yang Joon-il Maybe," gained deep inspiration from the one-on-one mentoring session with instructors following the specialized lecture program.

He said, "During mentoring, I received unexpected great help regarding copyright issues of overseas works, and as a result, I am about to sign two contracts."

Regarding Platform P, CEO Jung said, "First of all, this place exudes a good vibe. I think the fact that people who have a special affection for books communicate and create synergy through excellent support programs generates that energy."

Platform P, established in July within the complex station CO-STATION at Hongdae Entrance Station, spans a total floor area of 2,438.98m² across the 2nd and 3rd floors. The 3rd floor (716.96㎡) startup support space includes 20 independent offices, 32 open office seats, an open kitchen, meeting rooms, and a mini lounge. The 2nd floor (1187.61㎡) cultural and creative space is equipped with a book lounge, caf?, a multipurpose room with 80 seats, a workplace with over 60 seats, an editing room, and a multimedia room.

For residency recruitment, over 250 teams applied, showing a competition rate of more than 5:1. The district selected 52 first-phase residents, including early-stage publishing companies, startups, and solo creators, providing them with workspaces and support programs.

Lounge

Seo Ji-hyung plans to publish a drawing guidebook for seniors titled "Shaking Lines" soon. It is a drawing guidebook that offers a joyful methodology of contemporary art to those challenging drawing for the first time in their lives, allowing them to experience "pleasant surprises" or "natural disappointments" within art and to soften prejudices about "beauty and lack of beauty."

CEO Jung Ki-young currently lives with seven cats and is preparing to publish the animal log "Please Take Care of the Cat" (author Kim Eun-seon), which broadens understanding through careful observation of cats.

Cho Min-ho, CEO of the startup Antares, dreams of sustainable publishing activities at Platform P. Rather than short-term publishing for profit, he envisions establishing a foundation at Platform P to grow into a company that contributes to South Korea's cultural industry and publishing world.

Meanwhile, the Mapo Publishing Culture Promotion Center is recruiting membership for the Workplace (co-working office) until the 30th of this month.

Due to COVID-19, the last residency space of Platform P, the Workplace, which had not been opened, is an open startup space optimized for publishing startups, equipped with meeting rooms, phone booths, and an open kitchen.

It operates on a monthly membership basis, and users have priority access to publishing-specialized educational programs and receive discounts on renting multipurpose rooms and small lecture rooms. They also get one free monthly use of the multimedia room and editing room.

The recruitment target includes not only publishing-related creators but also general citizens aged 19 and over. The monthly fee is 220,000 KRW (including VAT, management fees, and utilities). The usage period is renewed monthly, and existing membership holders can apply for an extension up to five times.

Applications can be submitted to the Mapo Publishing Culture Promotion Center by October 30.

Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo District, said, "The Mapo Publishing Culture Promotion Center, where creators' dreams gather to create synergy and foster passion, will be a lever to revive the local publishing and design industries that have been sluggish. We will provide continuous scale-up support, not one-off aid, in connection with the Mapo Publishing and Printing Smart Anchor scheduled for completion in 2022," outlining his vision.

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