Significant Increase in Visitors at DDP... Growing Interest from Global Companies

42% Increase in DDP Visitors Compared to Last Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The number of tourists visiting Dongdaemun Design Plaza (hereinafter DDP) has significantly increased. The number of passengers boarding and alighting at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station connected to DDP rose by about 17%, from 18.27 million in 2021 to 21.34 million in 2022. The vacancy rate of individual stores within the station also sharply decreased from 69% in 2021 to 0% in 2022, as revealed on the 20th.

Visitors to DDP have gradually increased since the second half of last year, now recovering to pre-COVID levels. This rise in visitors is attributed to the increase in in-person events at DDP following the relaxation of quarantine guidelines.

The increase in visitors has also influenced DDP’s ability to attract global corporate events. Starting with the world-renowned luxury jewelry brand ‘Van Cleef & Arpels’ exhibition, a series of events were held at the DDP Art Hall, including the opening ceremony of Italy’s luxury brand FENDI’s first flagship store in Korea, ‘Palazzo Fendi Seoul,’ and Hyundai Motor Company’s ‘New Kona Launch Show.’

Popular rental stores have also massively entered DDP. From ‘Starbucks’ to the dessert cafe ‘Gomango’ targeting the MZ generation, and the famous bakery pilgrimage spot ‘Deli France,’ these establishments have secured their places in the DDP Design Market.

Especially, since the indoor mask mandate was lifted after this year’s Lunar New Year holiday, DDP plans to increase indoor and outdoor cultural events for citizens to enjoy. At the DDP Museum, visitors can experience the works of David Hockney and 14 other British pop art masters who shaped the 1960s British pop art culture all at once in the exhibition ‘David Hockney & British Pop Art’ (Exhibition Hall 1, March to July). Additionally, the ‘Art of Dance’ exhibition (Exhibition Hall 2, March to May) features media art interpretations by top domestic and international artists of dances performed by seven dance crews, including ‘Just Jerk,’ the winner of the popular Mnet show ‘Street Man Fighter,’ attracting even more visitors to DDP.

Meanwhile, to mark the 10th anniversary of DDP’s opening next year, global exhibitions and DDP metaverse events are being prepared to establish DDP as a world-class complex cultural space. As Zaha Hadid’s architectural works are built around the world, global interest in DDP continues to grow.

Lee Kyung-don, CEO of the Seoul Design Foundation, stated, “This year, DDP is preparing various exhibitions and events that will captivate people worldwide. DDP will not stand alone but will be a warm space of companionship advancing together with the surrounding commercial districts.”

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