Goyang Takes on the Challenge of Becoming a 'Self-Sustaining City Based on IP'
Nation's Only Content Cluster to Break Ground This Year
Establishing a Support System Covering the Entire Content Industry Lifecycle
Accelerating the Creation of a Goyang-Style Content Ecosystem
Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Donghwan Lee) is accelerating efforts to create a self-sustaining content ecosystem, with the groundbreaking for the 'IP Convergence Content Cluster,' which covers the entire lifecycle of the content industry, scheduled for later this year.
On July 14, Goyang Special City announced its plan to foster Goyang as a future-oriented hub for the content industry through a support system that encompasses everything from the discovery of original IP (intellectual property) based on creative foundations to content production, distribution, and commercialization.
According to the Gyeonggi-do Content Industry Company Status Report (as of 2023), Goyang is recognized as a key base for the content industry in the Seoul metropolitan area, with 2,394 content companies and annual sales of approximately 1.9 trillion won. The city also boasts abundant infrastructure, including major broadcasters such as EBS, JTBC, and MBN, as well as Ilsan Techno Valley, Broadcasting and Video Valley, and KINTEX, providing an optimal environment for content creation and production.
In particular, the content industry has recently seen 'IP'?which can be expanded into various fields such as webtoons, dramas, games, merchandise, and theme parks?emerge as the core of competitiveness. Accordingly, Goyang aims to strategically nurture an IP-centered content ecosystem to simultaneously enhance the city's self-sufficiency and economic strength.
Goyang will fully launch the 'IP Convergence Content Cluster' project, which was uniquely selected nationwide through a Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism public contest. The project site is located in Daehwa-dong, Ilsanseo-gu, and will be built as a complex space with a total floor area of 5,198 square meters and four above-ground floors, with a total project cost of 28.2 billion won.
The cluster will include: ▲ 1st and 2nd floors for IP convergence exhibition and experience spaces, as well as content product sales areas ▲ 3rd floor for creative and R&D spaces ▲ 4th floor for company meeting rooms and office spaces. The cluster is expected to serve as a key hub covering everything from content creation to distribution and business.
Architectural design began in 2023, and the basic design and value engineering review by the Public Procurement Service have been completed. Once the detailed design adequacy review is finalized in the second half of this year, construction will begin, with the goal of opening in 2027.
Prior to the cluster's groundbreaking, Goyang has steadily promoted preliminary projects to establish a foundation for the content industry since 2022. This year, in cooperation with the Goyang Industry Promotion Agency, the city is operating the 'IP Convergence Content Business Support Project,' providing a total of 920 million won in project funding to 13 companies.
'IP Convergence Content Cluster Exhibition Service Kickoff Meeting' held on July 17 last year Photo by Goyang Special City
In particular, works by five companies that received support for immersive content production will be unveiled to the public through a showcase at the Goyang Aramnuri Gallery Nuri Exhibition Hall from October 17 to November 2. These works, which incorporate cutting-edge technologies such as XR, AI, media art, and projection mapping, are expected to attract significant attention from visitors.
Furthermore, at the 'Digital Media Tech Show' to be held at KINTEX starting November 5, additional IP-based convergence content?including AR content, robot characters, and LED video?will be showcased, further demonstrating the strength of Goyang's content industry.
Goyang plans to go beyond simple creative support by establishing an 'IP industry value chain' that connects IP content distribution, business, and overseas expansion, aiming to become a leading city in the content industry.
Mayor Donghwan Lee of Goyang Special City stated, "The content industry is a future strategic industry that creates high added value through technological convergence. By building an ecosystem where creators, companies, and platforms can grow together around IP, we will make Goyang an attractive city that leads K-content."
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