[Report] 'Take Photos, Eat, and Enjoy' Gen Z Flocks... Remicon Site Perfectly Transformed into 'K-pop Holy Land'

Land Site Supplying Ready-Mix Concrete in Downtown for 44 Years
Transformed into K-Pop Concert Venue After Demolition Last Year
Seoul City Plans to Develop It as a K-Pop Landmark

On the weekend of the 7th and 8th, the former Sampyo Remicon factory site in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, transformed from a usually quiet area surrounded by high-rise apartments and residential neighborhoods into a lively concert venue. This was due to the 'One Universe Festival 2023' hosted by the car styling brand Peaches. The event featured K-pop, hip-hop, and the first-ever Korean performances by world-renowned rappers Kid Cudi and Lil Uzi Vert. The popular girl group 'aespa' also lit up the stage. The 'all-standing' venue, without designated seats, was filled with the energy of the audience dancing and singing along together.

The audience is thrilled by the performance of popular rapper Samdi.
Photo by Peaches

This site had been used as the Sampyo Remicon factory since 1978. It is a 'golden' piece of land measuring 28,804 cubic meters (about the size of three soccer fields). The Han River can be seen in front, and Seoul Forest, the largest green space in Seoul, lies behind. After confirming the factory's relocation in 2017, the factory was demolished last year. On the 5th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the opening of an outdoor K-pop concert venue, a lawn plaza, and a parking lot. This marked the first music festival held in 45 years at a site that played a key role in Seoul's industrial-era development.

The venue can accommodate up to approximately 15,000 people. Currently, only venues like KSPO Dome and Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul can host events of this scale. The Seoul city government leased the entire site to be used as a concert venue. There were also notable differences from typical concerts. The event was hosted not by a concert agency but by a car styling brand. Peaches, based on the car tuning business, pursues 'cross-industry' integration that breaks down boundaries between industries. They are also collaborating with Hyundai Motor Company. At this event, they made a bold attempt to connect car culture and music, following F&B (food and beverage), fashion, music, and gaming.

The area near the RWB vehicle became popular as a spot for certification shots.
(Photo by Peaches)

At the site, various car-related objects attracted attention. The performance car from the 'Fast & Furious' movie series was surrounded by attendees taking 'proof shots.' Visitors could experience 'Peaches Gum,' presented in collaboration with Lotte Wellfood, and the first domestic RWB (a Japanese handmade tuning brand) car 'Bato,' as well as booths from Hankook Tire and the liquor brand Hennessy, which drew continuous foot traffic. Food trucks selling takoyaki and slice pizza helped attendees satisfy their hunger during the performances. Most of the audience belonged to the 'Gen Z' generation (born from the mid-1990s to early 2010s).

Kim Junbeom, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Peaches, said, “We are pleased that the first music festival held at the former Sampyo Remicon site was successfully completed with the interest and support of many attendees. Starting this year, we plan to develop it into a signature festival and will do our best to contribute to the growth of the Peaches brand.”

The appearance of Sampyo Remicon factory before demolition (Photo by Seoul City)

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Sampyo Group plan to develop an international business district here by 2030. Until construction begins, the site will be used as an outdoor concert venue for K-pop and other events for about two more years. Seoul plans to link this area with the Seongsu-dong caf? street, which has established itself as a 'hot place,' and Seoul Forest to develop it into a K-pop hotspot. Several entertainment companies, including SM Entertainment, Cube Entertainment, and FNC Entertainment, have also established offices in Seongsu-dong. This has provided some relief to entertainment companies that had been struggling to secure concert venues amid the growing demand for K-pop performances.

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