Short-form video content — planned, produced and shared by everyday users — has become a defining digital trend, giving rise to a new generation of young creators sometimes called "yeong keurieiteo kru," or young creator crews.
Seoul's Songpa-gu, led by District Mayor Seo Gang-seok, is launching a summer career-exploration program called "Haha Hoho Songpa Kids Creator School" — or "Songkids School" for short — in which elementary school students plan and produce their own short-form videos.
The initiative draws on findings from the Ministry of Education's 2025 Career Education Survey, which ranked "content creator" as the third most popular career aspiration among elementary school students. In response, Songpa-gu designed a hands-on program where participants plan, film and edit their own content while learning about copyright, portrait rights, comment etiquette and responsible online behavior.
This year's program targets 24 students in grades 4 through 6 from elementary schools within the district. It runs as a two-day course over two cohorts of 12 students each, from July 28 to July 31.
On the first day, students receive instruction in content planning, basic smartphone filming techniques and digital ethics — covering copyright, portrait rights and proper social media use. On the second day, they head out to Songpa landmarks including Seokchon Lake and Lotte World Mall to shoot their own short-form videos. Finished works will be published on the "Songpa TV" YouTube channel and the district's official social media accounts.
Classes will be led by working creators who are active members of SPARK, Songpa-gu's official social media supporters group, with sessions focused on hands-on practice from concept development through filming and editing.
Meanwhile, Songpa-gu operates SPARK with 59 members who produce digital content promoting the district's appeal across platforms including Instagram, YouTube and blogs.
"We hope this program gives children a chance to develop their creativity and digital skills by planning and producing content themselves," District Mayor Seo said. "We will consistently expand opportunities for young people to explore a wide range of career paths."
Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through the Songpa Learn education portal from Wednesday through July 17.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
