Installation of 'Haneulgorae' Mural Carrying Hope at Yeontral Park in Mapo-gu

2021 Yeonnam-dong Citizen Participation Budget 'Yeontral Park Entrance Road Regeneration Project' Promotion...Repainting of Existing Aged Murals with 'Haneul Gorae' Containing Messages of Leap and Hope

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The "Sky Whale" filled with hope has risen in the Gyeongui Line Forest Park in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, which has become a representative landmark known as "Yeontral Park."

Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) announced on the 12th that it has completed the repainting of the old mural at the entrance of Yeontral Park (78 Seongmisan-ro 23-gil) as part of the regeneration project, resulting in the "Sky Whale" mural.

This project was promoted through the 2021 Yeonnam-dong citizen participatory budget, aiming to improve the surroundings that had been darkened by the old mural and to revitalize the stagnant area. It is especially meaningful as the residents directly participated in planning and preparing the creation of a new local landmark.

The selected work titled "Sky Whale" (15m wide, 6.7m high), chosen through a design contest last August, features whales freely swimming in the blue sky harmonizing with people. It symbolizes a leap toward the future and conveys a message of hope during the COVID-19 era.

The "Sky Whale" mural was unveiled to residents after the mural unveiling ceremony held at 3 p.m. on the 9th as part of the Yeontral Park entrance regeneration project. About 100 people, including Mapo-gu Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun, National Assembly member Jung Cheong-rae, local city and district council members, the chairman of the Yeonnam-dong Residents' Autonomy Committee, and residents, attended the meaningful event together.

Kim Yeon-sook (pseudonym), a resident of Yeonnam-dong, said, "I was very disappointed that the old mural did not harmonize with the beautiful Gyeongui Line Forest Trail around it," and expressed her expectations, saying, "Thanks to the hopeful Sky Whale mural, Yeonnam-dong will be reborn as a vibrant place."

Yeonnam-dong is gaining attention as a new cultural space where tourists and citizens continuously visit, with various art workshops, galleries, cafes, and design shops emerging around the Gyeongui Line Forest Park.

With a unique cultural fence formed around the park, Yeonnam-dong offers the fun of exploring various shops and charming alleys, making it a neighborhood with even greater expectations for the future.

Mapo-gu Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun said, "I hope the Sky Whale mural flying high toward the sky will bring some comfort to the residents exhausted by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic," and added, "I hope the 'Sky Whale' mural becomes a beloved local landmark for many citizens."

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