KT and Seoul City Install Large Media Facade at Gwanghwamun Square

Utilization of Protective Barriers at Gwanghwamun West Building Under Remodeling

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] KT is transforming the construction hoarding of the Gwanghwamun West building, currently undergoing remodeling, into a large-scale media facade.

On the 13th, KT announced that through a business agreement with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to operate the ‘Gwanghwamun Square Media Facade,’ it plans to provide citizens visiting Gwanghwamun with various cultural content experiences.

The KT Gwanghwamun West building, located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, was completed in 1986. Remodeling began at the end of last year, with completion targeted for 2024.

The Gwanghwamun Square Media Facade is a joint project between KT and the Seoul Metropolitan Government that projects various videos onto the KT Gwanghwamun WEST building and the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts walls, centered around Gwanghwamun Square, to screen content.

KT plans to use the remodeling construction hoarding of the Gwanghwamun Building WEST as a large screen to conduct the media facade every evening after sunset for the next year. The construction hoarding depicts the old building’s exterior peeling away to reveal the new building’s appearance. KT explained that this reflects its determination to pursue new changes as a Digico.

The Gwanghwamun Square Media Facade is scheduled to debut during the reopening period of the newly renovated Gwanghwamun Square this August. It will consist of immersive media art and cultural tourism content introducing Korea’s nature and culture.

KT and the Seoul Metropolitan Government will jointly hold a contest for media art and video content creators to promote the operation of the Gwanghwamun Square Media Facade. The main contest themes are ▲‘Onsaemiro Seoul,’ which tells the story of the new Gwanghwamun Square and Seoul’s future, and ▲‘DX LIFE,’ which expresses future life changed by transformation and development in the digital era. Four works per theme, totaling eight works, will be selected and exhibited on the KT Gwanghwamun West building and Sejong Center media facades starting in October.

Additionally, KT and Seoul will continue their collaboration for the ‘Seoul Light-Gwanghwa’ light festival held around Gwanghwamun in December. Various attractions will be displayed against the backdrop of Gwanghwamun during the Christmas season and year-end holidays.

Kim Chae-hee, Head of KT’s Strategic Planning Office, said, “It is meaningful to offer citizens new sights and enjoyment through the attempt to rebirth the remodeling hoarding of the KT Gwanghwamun West building, which has protected Gwanghwamun Square for decades, as media,” adding, “We will continue to strive to show diverse and innovative aspects as Digico KT.”