A large media display showcases a short video featuring Korea's natural landscapes and cityscapes on the facade of Shinsegae Department Store's main building in central Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-hyun
Seoul's Jung District plans to transform Myeong-dong into a vibrant media hub, similar to New York's Times Square, by installing LED electronic boards and digital urban panels in a bid to attract more people, the district office announced, Wednesday.
Starting this year, 16 large LED displays and 80 digital panels will be set up in Myeong-dong in a three-phase project.
Myeong-dong is one of the city's most popular destinations, with 77 percent of foreign tourists visiting the area. It is seen as an ideal location for global promotions through outdoor ads.
The initiative aims to revitalize the area and introduce new cultural tourism content as the number of visitors have surged following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The district office aims to establish "Myeong-dong Square" as a new city landmark, enhancing the appeal of its shopping streets through dynamic media facades designed to attract global brands.
Last December, Myeong-dong was designated as a special zone where outdoor electronic displays can be installed without restrictions, allowing the district to freely set up digital signs regardless of shape, size or color.
This move is part of a broader effort to create a vibrant, visually dynamic streetscape, akin to New York's Times Square.
The initiative has already begun, with large electronic displays being installed on prominent buildings near Myeong-dong, including Shinsegae Department Store's main branch, Hana Bank's headquarters and Kyowon Building.
According to the district office, the installation of outdoor advertising boards in Myeong-dong will be completed over the next decade, with the project set to conclude by 2033.
The first phase, slated for completion next year, will introduce basic infrastructure and information and communications technology, and large LED screens will be installed on six key buildings, starting with Shinsegae Department Store.
Notably, Lotte Department Store's new building features the largest display, measuring 115 meters wide and 21 meters high, visible from neighboring Jonggak area.
The second phase, running from 2026 to 2028, and the third phase, from 2029 to 2033, will see the gradual installation of additional large electronic displays across Myeong-dong.
Media poles, smart street lamps and smart LED stands will also be set up throughout the area. These smart media installations, equipped with digital screens, will provide information and services to passersby.
Once completed, the district office expects the project to generate an estimated 50 billion won ($36.2 million) annually.
Shinsegae Department Store's main building is illuminated with Christmas-themed lights in Jung District, central Seoul in 2023. Yonhap
Utilizing Myeong-dong's new media facades and displays, the district plans to host a series of events, starting with a lighting ceremony at Shinsegae Department Store's main building on Nov. 1.
Shinsegae is the oldest standing department store building in Korea, dating back to the Gyeongseong branch of Mitsukoshi during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial era.
In addition, a New Year's Eve countdown event will be held on Dec. 31 in front of the store, marking the start of what the district office hopes will become an iconic annual celebration.
Dubbed "Myeong-dong Square, Light Now," this year's event will feature K-pop performances and a countdown to ring in 2025.
"We aim to make Myeong-dong Square a global tourist destination, offering an immersive experience that surpasses even the reputation of New York's Times Square," said Kim Kil-sung, head of the Jung District Office.