The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 4th that the largest domestic event for traditional markets, the ‘2023 National Excellent Market Expo’ (K-Market Fair), will be held in Incheon for four days from the 5th to the 8th.
Marking its 19th edition this year, the National Excellent Market Expo is an event showcasing and selling products from excellent traditional markets nationwide. It is the largest event related to traditional markets held annually since 2004.
This year’s expo has been newly revamped as the ‘K-Market Fair’ with the slogan ‘Back to the Market! The Market in My Life’ to create a turning point for the advancement of traditional markets. It will feature spaces where tradition and modernity harmonize, as well as new attempts combining young merchants’ creative ideas, culture, and design throughout the venue.
About 150 traditional markets from across the country will participate, with a total of around 120 exhibition and sales booths including the traditional market pavilion and food stalls. A variety of sights, foods, and entertainment will be offered.
This year, a live commerce open studio will be set up in collaboration with Naver, where influencers will sell excellent products and specialties from participating markets online. Various events will also be held at the win-win markets hosted by Coupang and Kakao, who are leading projects to revitalize traditional markets.
At the Digital Traditional Market Pavilion, visitors can indirectly experience and obtain information about markets with unique characteristics through kiosks. Various contents such as the Traditional Market History Museum will also be exhibited. An open gallery featuring works by young artists active on the theme of markets will be displayed outdoors, and the emotional picnic zone plans to captivate visitors both physically and mentally.
At Food Town, visitors can also find various market foods from across the country and meal kits from century-old stores. On the 6th, a curiosity special forces musical for family visitors will be held, and on the 7th, performances by popular singers such as Kim Yeon-ja, Insooni, and Kim Su-chan, along with a ‘Show Off Our Market’ contest, will entertain the audience.
Additionally, traditional market snack making, rice cake pounding experiences, an air bounce playground, and busking performances by local artists will continue daily throughout the event period.
Minister Lee Young of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups said, “I hope the K-Market Fair will help revitalize local commercial districts and boost domestic consumption,” adding, “We have prepared various programs that all generations can enjoy, from the warm affection of traditional markets to fun attractions, so we ask for your great interest and participation.”
For more detailed information, please visit the official website of the 19th 2023 National Excellent Market Expo.
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