Seoul to establish K-pop complex

By Kim Se-jeong

A K-pop museum and music institute may be set up in Chang-dong, northeastern Seoul, along with the construction of a mega cultural performance arena.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday that it is considering opening the museum, the school and other facilities as part of its urban redevelopment project for the region, and has just undertaken a feasibility study.

By 2020, the area will also house Seoul Arena, the nation’s biggest performance hall with 20,000 seats, for contemporary music and dance performances.

“By the time Seoul Arena opens and hosts performances, it will attract hallyu fans who may fuel demand for other cultural attractions there,” a city official said.

The city said it is looking at Liverpool in England and Austin in the U.S. as models.

The area already houses Platform Chang Dong 61 which opened in April. The property built on 2,790 square meters of land is a venue for music, fashion and food, with 61 mega-size industrial shipping containers converted to host music recording studios, workshops, sales and exhibitions. Studio space is also available there for artists and musicians.