K-pop concert hall proposed to promote Korean culture

An artist’s impression of Seoul Arena, a K-pop concert hall that four districts in northeastern Seoul hope to build in Changdong, Dobong-gu. Chiefs of the districts made the proposal to Seoul City, Tuesday. (Photo : Dobong-gu Office)

Four districts in northeastern Seoul have proposed jointly building a K-pop concert hall, saying the facility will help promote the nation’s pop culture as well as boost the region’s economy.

Chiefs of the districts ― Dobong, Nowon, Seongbuk and Gangbuk ― signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with private investors to construct the tentatively named “Seoul Arena” on a current parking lot site in Chang-dong and suggested this idea to the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG), Tuesday.

The move comes while Seoul is assessing where to build a performance hall in a culture ministry-driven K-pop promotion project. The ministry plans to announce the final scheme, including the location, in November or December, according to a Dobong official.

“Three locations ― Chang-dong, Magok and Jamsil ― are vying. The concert hall should be set up in a location where it can benefit development of the local economy and cultural industry. We believe the facility will create 3,000 jobs here, boosting the economy in northeastern Seoul which has served as just a bed town,” the official said.

On the 33,000 square meters parking lot site owned by SMG, the districts plan to build a performance hall complex which can host not only K-pop concerts and musicals, but also exhibitions and sports events.

The ministry estimates the cost of the project at about 200 billion won, and plans to spend 25 billion won from the state budget, while inviting private investors to cover the remainder, according to the official.

“Attracting investors is the key to establishing the facility, and the four districts signed an MOU with a special purpose company today. The MOU shows we are financially prepared and fully entitled to promote the project,” he said.

The special purpose company, Seoul Super Arena, is comprised of entertainment firms, constructors and investment companies, including KT and Shinhan Investment Corp. It will submit a written proposal to the city government next month.

“The population of an area within a 10-kiometer radius of Chang-dong is 5 million, including 3.5 million in northeastern Seoul and 1.5 million in adjacent Gyeonggi provincial cities. They have lacked a cultural and art infrastructure, so building the hall there will contribute to balanced development in the metropolitan area,” the official said. <The Korea Times/Kim Rahn>

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