Seokchon Lake will be bathed in yellow as summer draws to a close.
Songpa-gu in Seoul will host a public art project centered on K-pop for the first time, running from Friday through Aug. 23 around the east basin of Seokchon Lake.
The star of the project is BIGBANG, the group marking its 20th debut anniversary on Aug. 19. The yellow light set to wash over the lake is the group's signature color.
The project takes the form of a "Fandom Playground" — a format that fills a space with a beloved act's symbolic elements, such as their signature color, music and photo zones, without the artists themselves appearing. The approach has taken hold in the K-pop scene in recent years. Visitors will be able to encounter traces of BIGBANG throughout the lakeside, linger and enjoy the atmosphere.
The centerpiece is a crown sculpture — BIGBANG's iconic symbol. A 5-meter crown will greet visitors on the waterfront stage of the east basin. Some 400 yellow lights will illuminate the walking path at night, and photo zones of various shapes will be scattered throughout the grounds. "The Sphere," a media art installation on the west basin, will display messages for K-pop fans.
Throughout the project period, 21 of BIGBANG's signature tracks — including "Lies," "Haru Haru" and "Bang Bang Bang" — will play along the east basin promenade. On Aug. 19, the group's 20th debut anniversary, a new song will also be featured.
Songpa-gu and Lotte share a long history of turning Seokchon Lake into a destination for public art. Starting with "Rubber Duck" in 2014, the partnership has brought a succession of works by internationally recognized artists to the lake — Super Moon (2016), Sweet Swan (2017), KAWS: Holiday Korea (2018), Luna Project (2019), Rubber Duck (2022) and Lobster Wonderland (2024).
This project marks the first time K-pop has been woven into the Seokchon Lake series, which has until now focused on sculptural installations. Songpa-gu is in fact one of South Korea's premier venues for large-scale K-pop concerts, home to Olympic Park and Jamsil Sports Complex. Seokchon Lake, in particular, is celebrated as Seoul's only lakeside setting where visitors can enjoy culture and the arts against a natural backdrop.
Building on that identity, Songpa-gu plans to continue running season-specific programs centered on Seokchon Lake into its ninth elected-term administration. The K-pop project closing out this summer is the first step.
The BIGBANG 20th Anniversary Public Art Project is organized and hosted by YG Entertainment and Lotte Department Store, with Songpa-gu as a supporting sponsor. Lotte Department Store will oversee safety management and on-site operations, while Songpa-gu plans to conduct regular inspections throughout the event.
"Seokchon Lake has become a beloved cultural landmark not only for local residents but also for visitors from across the country and foreign tourists, thanks to our public art projects," Songpa-gu District Mayor Seo Gang-seok said. "We will continue to present diverse content so the lake can grow into an even more world-class cultural destination."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
