Rubber Duck Returns After 8 Years... "We Will Comfort Your Tired Daily Life"

1.5 Meters Taller Than in 2014
Four Ducks Dressed in Halloween Concept Together
"Comfort for Daily Life Weary from COVID-19"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] After 8 years, the Rubber Duck has returned to Seoul's Seokchon Lake.

On the 29th, the day the Rubber Duck was first unveiled to the media, the sky was cloudy, but the yellow duck floating on Seokchon Lake was vivid enough to be seen clearly from afar. A lady walking in hiking clothes and a mother pushing a stroller with her child on a walk could not take their eyes off the yellow duck floating like a bathtub on the lake. The site was bustling with reporters and people who came to see the giant duck. Students in school uniforms on a field trip kept taking selfies with the duck as the background. Nearby office workers said, "I saw the Rubber Duck when it first came, but that was already 8 years ago," expressing excitement at the duck's return after a long time. At the opening ceremony held that morning, Florentijn Hofman, the artist who started the Rubber Duck project, Ryu Jedon, CEO of Lotte Property & Development, and Seo Gangseok, Mayor of Songpa District, attended together to celebrate.

Rubber Duck floating on Seokchon Lake on the 29th. (Photo by Lotte Property & Development)

Lotte Property & Development has been steadily conducting public art projects with Seokchon Lake as the backdrop. This Rubber Duck project is the second since 2014, when about 5 million visitors came over a month during the first project. A Lotte Property & Development official in charge of the project said, "We decided to bring back the Rubber Duck to give hope to people exhausted by COVID-19, and the artist also readily agreed to the purpose." This year's Rubber Duck has grown from 16.5 meters to 18 meters in size, and four friends join it. To celebrate Halloween, the artist created ghost, skeleton, Dracula, and Rainbow Duck figures and hid them nearby. These ducks are being showcased for the first time in the world at Seokchon Lake.

Florentijn Hofman, who reunited with Lotte Property & Development, is a Dutch public artist. He is known for recreating familiar subjects such as rabbits and monkeys in gigantic sizes, not only the Rubber Duck. The emphasis on size is to ensure that everyone can see the large artwork equally regardless of physical conditions.

At the Q&A session held that day, Hofman explained the meaning of the Rubber Duck project, saying, "The Rubber Duck is a project about love," and added, "I wanted to relieve the social fatigue caused by COVID-19. After hearing about the recent typhoon damage in Korea, I felt even more strongly about this." He especially embedded this meaning in the rainbow-colored 'Rainbow Duck.' He said, "In an era where inclusiveness has become important, I worked envisioning a warm society where everyone is welcomed," emphasizing, "I hope no one is excluded and that everyone comes to see and be comforted."

Meanwhile, Lotte World Tower will hold the Rubber Duck project from the 30th until the 31st of next month. Along with the Rubber Duck project, various events will be presented. A photo zone will be set up near the hidden Halloween Rubber Ducks, and stamps will be provided, with the number of stamps redeemable for Rubber Duck toys, magnets, stickers, and more on a first-come, first-served basis. Using social networking services (SNS), visitors can also receive souvenirs such as Rubber Duck balloons.