What is the story behind Yongsan-gu Namyeong-dong Community Center's character 'Namyeongi'?

Considering Yongsan Park Development, Symbolic Representation of Nature-Friendly Leaves... To Be Used in Various Promotional Materials and Notices Such as Banners and Signboards

Kwon Seong-gil, Administrative Officer

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] The year 2020 saw the emergence of more beloved characters than ever before. Increasingly, places are successfully promoting local policies using characters or generating revenue through related products.

The Namyeong-dong Community Service Center in Yongsan-gu (Director Im Han-kyung) has attracted attention by developing the character ‘Namyeongi’ and unveiling it through the district’s Facebook page.

The character developer is Seonggil Kwon, a 37-year-old administrative officer. Kwon, who enjoys drawing comics in his free time, wanted to apply his hobby to his work. When he was assigned to promotional duties at the community center, he decided to create a district character to actively utilize in promotional activities.

Namyeongi features a symbolic representation of a leaf, reflecting the district’s characteristic transformation of the Yongsan US military base into Yongsan Park, emphasizing a nature-friendly image. Namyeongi will be used in various promotional materials such as banners, signboards, and notices that require resident outreach, appearing in a witty manner before the community.

Kwon said, “In addition to Namyeongi, we plan to create Namyeong-dong Friends to brighten and energize the image of Namyeong-dong and to make it more familiar to local residents by actively using them on Facebook and at community events.”

Im Han-kyung, director of Namyeong-dong, stated, “Promotion using characters is expected to have a strong effect by providing visual impact and a sense of intimacy. Especially through Namyeongi, I hope to bring a moment of laughter to residents weary from social distancing.”

Meanwhile, the district developed the character ‘Yongyongi’ for Seobinggo-dong in 2018. Yongyongi, meaning a dragon that protects Yongsan, has been used in various ways for promotion through Seobinggo-dong’s SNS, notices, and event materials.

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