The Korea Racing Authority (KRA), led by President Woo Hee-jong, will open a permanent store selling products from its signature character brand "Malma Friends" on June 14 at the 100th Anniversary Hall of Let's Run Park Seoul.
Malma Friends was conceived and developed by the KRA during the COVID-19 pandemic to bring comfort and laughter to a weary public. The brand is the only public enterprise character to have won the grand prize at the Korea Character Awards, earning recognition for its broad appeal and competitiveness, and has since established itself as the KRA's signature character brand.
The store will operate every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering a total of 17 products — eight types of keyrings, two plush dolls, five bags and two lifestyle items.
A keyring modeled after real racehorses from the Myeongmadang collection will be available through a vending machine installed on site.
"Malma Friends was created to share the KRA's horse industry content with the public in a more accessible and friendly way," a KRA official said. "We hope the permanent store gives many customers a chance to experience the charm of Malma Friends firsthand and feel closer to the KRA and the horse industry."
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