Hyundai Department Store Opens Second 'Connect Hyundai' Branch in Cheongju, Aiming to Become Chungcheong Region's Consumption Hub

Pre-opening on the 24th... Official Opening on the 27th
A "New Entertainment Mall" with Enhanced Play and Experiential Features
Many Regional Firsts, Including Musinsa and IKEA

Hyundai Department Store announced on June 23 that it will open the second branch of its urban complex shopping mall, 'Connect Hyundai,' in Gagyeong-dong, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province.

Connect Hyundai is a regionally specialized urban complex shopping mall that promotes itself as a "playground connecting people, places, and culture." The first branch opened in Busan Metropolitan City in September 2024.

Photo of Connect Hyundai Cheongju bird's-eye view. Provided by Hyundai Department Store

Connect Hyundai Cheongju, opening as the second branch, aims to be a "New Entertainment Mall" that maximizes entertainment functions such as play and experiential content. The company expects it to become a new consumption hub in the Chungcheong region, absorbing not only local residents but also the floating population from surrounding metropolitan areas, as it serves as a complex cultural platform where culture, art, and the local community are organically connected, going beyond a simple shopping space.

Connect Hyundai Cheongju will hold a pre-opening event for three days starting June 24, then officially open on June 27. The Gagyeong-dong commercial district, where the new mall is located, is emerging as a new urban center through the complex development of the Cheongju Express Bus Terminal. The area boasts locational advantages with a concentration of residential, commercial, and office facilities, and is adjacent to Daejeon, South Chungcheong, Sejong, the Gyeongbu Expressway, and the Jungbu Expressway, offering excellent accessibility from across the Chungcheong region.

Connect Hyundai Cheongju consists of five floors, from the GF (Ground Floor) connected to the outdoor plaza up to the fourth floor above ground. It will house over 180 brands, including the latest lifestyle brands and Cheongju regional content.

Many brands will be introduced to the region for the first time. Notably, the fashion brand 'Musinsa Standard' will open its first store in Cheongju, while the Swedish furniture brand 'IKEA' will open a pop-up store, and the Japanese furniture brand 'Nitori' will launch its official store in Cheongju for the first time. In addition, stores that have become hotspots for the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z), such as the fashion select shop 'hype2k' from Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, the 'Frola' cafe from Seongsu-dong, and the DIY goods shop 'Objeksanga' from Yeonhui-dong, will open their first Chungcheong region branches.

Entertainment-related content is also extensively featured. To commemorate the opening, the art project 'Mr. Pink' by renowned French artist Philippe Katerine will be presented for the first time in Korea, spanning from the first to the fourth floor. The region's first intellectual property (IP) specialty space, 'Culture&Mania,' will be located on the third floor, covering a total area of 1,652 square meters (about 500 pyeong), and will showcase a variety of content. Visitors can also experience the mobile escape room game space 'RealWorld,' the 'ActionPlay' area featuring popular game consoles, 'PlayInTheBox' selling character goods, and the 'Illustar Cafe' offering subculture animation merchandise.

Local content will also be highlighted. 'Bbangbbang Road,' a space that brings together famous bakeries from Cheongju, a city known for its unique neighborhood bakeries, as well as renowned bakeries from across the Chungcheong region, is a prime example.

HEYDI, the artificial intelligence (AI) shopping assistant first introduced by Hyundai Department Store in the industry, will also begin serving domestic customers at Connect Hyundai Cheongju. Generative AI will curate a vast array of information within the store, including brands, restaurants, and events, tailored to customer preferences. In addition, the company plans to offer customers a new retail experience utilizing advanced technologies such as AI patrol robots and AI automated cleaning robots.

Jung Jaehoon, manager of Connect Hyundai Cheongju, said, "We will make Connect Hyundai Cheongju the hippest complex cultural space overflowing with things to enjoy and experience, bringing new vitality to the region."