Hongdae Complex Cultural Arts Space 'Red Road Power Plant' Officially Launches in May

Aging Gyeongui Line Chaekgeori Remodeled into a Complex Cultural and Arts Space
Exhibitions, Experiences, and Festivals Planned with Resident Creators 'Redroad Makers'
Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, "Will Actively Support Local Cultural and Artistic Activities"

Park Kang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, listening to the artwork explanation at Red Road Road Gallery (left)

Mapo-gu (District Mayor Park Gang-su)'s former 'Gyeongui Line Book Street' will return to the residents this May as the expanded complex cultural and artistic space called 'Red Road Power Plant.'

'Gyeongui Line Book Street' is a book-themed street adjacent to Hongdae Red Road, a representative tourist attraction in Mapo-gu, and connected to the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail. So far, Mapo-gu has operated book-related programs using facilities such as book street booths.

However, despite being located near the bustling Hongdae area, the number of visitors to Gyeongui Line Book Street has decreased, and since its opening in 2016, the facilities have aged, leading to continuous demands for space improvements.

Additionally, social issues related to the Gyeongui Line Kids area around the book street, which were highlighted in numerous media reports last year, have increased residents' concerns, making facility renovation urgently necessary.

In response, Mapo-gu held three public-private advisory meetings for Gyeongui Line Book Street, including university professors, literary and tourism figures, district council members, and merchant representatives. As a result, opinions were presented on improving the aging book street booths, breaking away from the closed structure, and the need to connect with the Hongdae tourist district.

Based on the advisory meeting's opinions, since last year, Mapo-gu has been expanding the function of the space to create 'Red Road Power Plant,' a complex cultural and artistic space reflecting Hongdae's unique culture and characteristics.

Also, cultural and artistic creators who will operate as 'Red Road Makers' are being recruited to move into the newly renovated booths, and additional points were given during recruitment to include existing book street booth operators.

A district official stated, "We have established the 'Red Road Power Plant' to break away from the stagnant identity of Gyeongui Line Book Street and allow cultural and artistic creators from various fields in the Hongdae area to freely carry out creative activities. To carefully support these artists, the operation method has been changed from private consignment to direct district management."

'Red Road Power Plant' is scheduled to complete finishing construction in April and open on May 1. It plans to offer various programs such as exhibitions, experiences, and festivals with cultural and artistic creators so that residents and tourists alike can enjoy and appreciate culture and arts up close.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, "'Red Road Power Plant' is expected to become a representative hub facility of the tourist district that can expand the base of Hongdae culture and arts. Mapo-gu will spare no support so that local cultural and artistic figures can be more active and advance to a larger world."

Red Road Power Plant

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