Jung-gu, Myeongdong Promote 'Seoul-style Times Square'

‘Myeongdong Tourist District Area’ Selected as Phase 2 Outdoor Advertising Free Display Zone in First Round... If Finally Selected, High-Quality Video Content to Be Screened, Becoming a Landmark of Seoul

Expected Photo of Myeongdong Free Display Area

At the end of the year, large department stores showcase dazzling media fa?ades, where visitors stop in their tracks and gaze blankly, enjoying the romance of the city. This has now become a cultural hallmark of Myeongdong's year-end scenery.

Expectations are growing about whether a ‘Seoul-style Times Square’ can be established in Myeongdong in the future.

Jung-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Kim Gil-seong) announced on the 11th that Myeongdong was selected in the first round of the ‘2nd Outdoor Advertising Free Display Zone’ evaluation. The target area is Sogong-dong 1, Jung-gu, specifically the ‘Myeongdong Tourism Special Zone’.

The ‘Outdoor Advertising Free Display Zone’ is an area where regulations on the shape, size, color, and installation methods of outdoor advertisements are significantly relaxed, allowing advertisements to be freely installed. If finally selected, large electronic billboards, media poles, and media fa?ades can be installed throughout Myeongdong. This will enable Myeongdong to rise as a landmark representing South Korea, similar to New York’s Times Square or London’s Piccadilly Circus.

Not only advertisements but also media art will be possible, allowing for highly artistic works to be displayed. It is expected to bring new vitality to Myeongdong by delivering high-quality visual content.

Myeongdong in Jung-gu is undoubtedly South Korea’s number one commercial district. The average daily floating population reaches 400,000. Within approximately a 1 km radius are historical and cultural heritage sites such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Deoksugung Palace, making it a must-visit place for foreign tourists. It also ranked overwhelmingly first in the ‘2023 Tourist Satisfaction Survey’.

Unlike other areas selected in the first round, Myeongdong’s target area is a ‘tourism special zone.’ The absence of residential areas nearby means it will not cause light pollution or similar issues, which is another advantage. If Myeongdong is designated as a free display zone, it is expected to generate enormous economic effects and revitalize the commercial district, which had worsened due to COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the ‘1st Outdoor Advertising Free Display Zone’ included the COEX area in Gangnam-gu. The district has thoroughly prepared by addressing the issues pointed out during the 2016 evaluation of the ‘1st Outdoor Advertising Free Display Zone.’

A consultative body will be formed starting in September, and a public hearing will be held in October to gather opinions from experts and residents. After a second evaluation in November, the final selection results will be announced in December.

Kim Gil-seong, Mayor of Jung-gu, said, “This is a great opportunity for Myeongdong, which is like the face of South Korea, to transform into a more attractive place.” He added, “We will prepare meticulously so that media content combined with art can bring synergy effects to the tourism industry and contribute to revitalizing the local economy.”

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