Is There a Promotion Man in Chungju... and a NewMe Team in Jung-gu?

Everyday Life as 'Documentary': Jung-gu New Media Team's Documentary Production on Sindang 10 District Gains Attention

The employees of the New Media Team in the Public Relations Office of Jung-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Kim Gil-seong) are "running out of 24 hours a day."

As word spreads that promotional videos created by the New Media Team become a "huge hit," video requests from various departments of the district office have been pouring in, making the filming schedule increasingly tight day by day.

Whether it snows or rains, carrying heavy equipment and roaming around Jung-gu is exhausting, but the team members unanimously say, "We find fulfillment in seeing people cry and laugh at the videos we create."

Weaving a story with a beginning, middle, and end into the videos is mainly the responsibility of Team Leader Jeong Gang-min. Any "boring" story transforms into "super fun" content through his hands.

The videos made by the New Media Team even surprise reporters from news agencies. After seeing the footage provided by Jung-gu, reporters consistently say, "We use Jung-gu videos without question," giving a thumbs-up.

On Jung-gu's YouTube channel, in addition to promotional videos, they serialize various aspects of work life such as "Human Theater: A Day at Jung-gu Office," "There’s No Other Newcomer Like This," and "The Most Annoying Boss Ever," while also uploading rich information about the region’s history, landmarks, and local eateries. They also introduce the quietly working staff behind the scenes.

Thanks to the New Media Team's efforts, the number of subscribers to the Seoul Jung-gu YouTube channel surged more than fivefold from 1,000 in January last year to over 5,600 earlier this year. It is analyzed that they secured new viewers with content that spans all generations and sparkling wit.

Riding this momentum, the New Media Team recently produced a documentary about the "miracle" Jung-gu achieved together with its residents and released it on the Jung-gu YouTube channel. "The 36-Day Miracle: What Was Different About Sindang 10 District?" is a documentary capturing the past year’s efforts of Jung-gu residents to develop the underdeveloped Sindang-dong area.

Sindang 10 District is the first redevelopment zone where Jung-gu took public support initiatives by leveraging the Rapid Integrated Planning and Direct Establishment by the Association system. In August 2021, this area was selected as the first target site for Seoul’s Rapid Integrated Planning housing redevelopment project. In June of this year, it was designated as a redevelopment zone in less than two years, benefiting from the system.

Moreover, with the support of the Direct Establishment by the Association system, the project period was shortened by more than three years. On December 28 last year, the association establishment was approved, making Sindang 10 District the first case in Seoul’s Rapid Integrated Planning redevelopment zones where a housing redevelopment association was established through public support.

Despite having a considerable number of landowners, Sindang 10 District achieved the required 75% consent rate for association establishment in just 36 days. This achievement is unprecedented in redevelopment projects. The speed and results from Rapid Integrated Planning to association establishment approval demonstrated by Sindang 10 District are the product of Jung-gu’s flawless public support and active resident participation working in harmony.

Jung-gu YouTube Channel Screen

Kim Gil-seong, Mayor of Jung-gu, said, "The Sindang 10 District documentary made by Jung-gu contains the reality Jung-gu faces in the heart of Seoul, and yet the hope we cannot afford to miss," adding, "Please visit the Jung-gu YouTube channel to enjoy Jung-gu’s 'hope' and also press the 'subscribe' button."