On June 5, the Dong-gu District Office in Gwangju announced that construction of the "Shining Ainara," a children's media complex cultural space being established in Section 2 of the Geumnam Underground Shopping Mall, is scheduled for completion at the end of June.
"Shining Ainara" aims to transform 39 long-vacant underground shopping mall units into a dedicated cultural complex for children, with a project budget of 8.6 billion KRW invested since 2023.
The project was designed to revitalize the long-depressed underground shopping mall and boost the local economy by converting a commerce-centered space into a culture and arts experience venue focused on children.
Covering a total area of approximately 1,600 square meters (484 pyeong), "Shining Ainara" is mainly divided into an Art Studio and a Fairy Tale Workshop. Signature areas will include the "Path of Light," the "Shining Gallery," and interactive play zones such as the "Shining Class," a play workshop, and a "Create Your Own Fairy Tale" space.
Content and facilities have been carefully designed so that children of various ages, from kindergarteners to elementary school students (ages 4 to 11), can use the space safely. A rest area for guardians has also been included to enhance convenience for family visitors.
Art experience programs incorporating AI (artificial intelligence) media technology are planned to foster children's emotional development and creativity, providing both educational value and a variety of enjoyable experiences.
Previously, in December 2024, an information session was held for kindergarten and elementary school teachers in the Gwangju area to gather feedback from the educational field, which is being reflected in the ongoing development of operating programs through a field-oriented preparation process.
In addition, operational plans have been established to create synergy through collaboration with the National Asia Culture Center, including discussions on mutual cooperation. During the recent Children's Day week "HOW-FUN" event at the Asia Culture Center, "Shining Ainara" preview programs were offered, allowing over 1,000 children and their families to experience them in advance.
Im Taek, head of the district office, stated, "'Shining Ainara' will be a play and learning space that nurtures children's creativity and emotional intelligence, and will serve as a key hub injecting new vitality into the local community. We will ensure that this space continues to grow together with the community and further enhances the value and brand of our city as a center of culture and humanities."
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