Seoul is preparing to open a vast underground cultural complex hidden beneath Seoul Plaza, transforming a long-abandoned utility space into a new destination dedicated to K-content experiences.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the underground facility beneath Seoul Plaza is being remodeled into a "K-Content Culture and Experience Platform" and is scheduled to officially open to the public in October.
The passage stretches 335 meters in length, measures 9.5 meters in width, and covers a total area of 3,261 square meters. Located between the upper section of Seoul Subway Line 2 and the underground shopping arcades of Euljiro, the space is believed to have been constructed during subway development projects in the early 1980s.
For decades, public access remained restricted, leaving the original concrete walls, pillars, and industrial structures largely untouched.
The renovated site will be designed as an immersive urban experience zone where visitors can interact directly with cultural content rather than simply observe it.
Permanent media art installations will utilize the tunnel's extended walls as projection surfaces for large-scale visual displays. Interactive systems responding to visitor movement through sound and imagery in real time will also be introduced.
The elongated structure will further serve as a venue for K-fashion runways, brand showcases, and a rotating lineup of pop-up stores featuring K-pop artist merchandise and virtual idol intellectual properties aimed at both domestic and international fans.
Unlike conventional exhibition halls, the venue will preserve the raw atmosphere of its 40-year-old concrete architecture while integrating advanced technologies such as holograms, augmented reality, virtual reality experiences, and computer-generated imagery developed through Unreal Engine-based production systems.
Its direct connection to entrances near Euljiro 1-ga Station is expected to make the site an attractive destination for pedestrians and tourists exploring central Seoul, particularly as a new nighttime and underground attraction.
Because the facility is located deep underground within a previously closed structure, Seoul is currently working with Seoul Metro to strengthen fire protection systems, disaster prevention infrastructure, ventilation equipment, and emergency evacuation routes.
The city plans to complete comprehensive safety reviews covering both design and construction before opening the facility to the public.
Seoul officials also indicated that the Seoul Plaza project will serve as the first phase of a broader initiative to repurpose underutilized urban spaces. Similar redevelopment projects are being considered for areas around Gangdong Station and Gasan Digital Complex Station, with each site tailored to the characteristics of its surrounding district.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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