Jongno-gu opens Seoul-style kids cafe 'Sodam Nuri Playground' in Sungin-dong

Jongno-gu announced Tuesday that it will open a Seoul-style kids cafe called "Sodam Nuri Playground" on the site of the former Cheongnyong Kindergarten in Sungin 1-dong, with an opening ceremony scheduled for Sept. 2. The Seoul-style kids cafe program launched its first location in Jongno-gu's Hyehwa-dong in 2022 and now operates 200 facilities across the city.

Sodam Nuri Playground was designed to evoke the alley and courtyard play culture of the past — offering children new play experiences while stirring childhood memories for adults. The total project cost came to 966 million won, combining 828 million won ($598,000) in city funding and 138 million won in district funding.

The first floor features spaces for alley games, floor play, net climbing and media-based activities where children can run and play freely. The second floor is designed to resemble a traditional neighborhood courtyard, offering a wide-open play area. Net structures installed throughout the facility allow children to explore, imagine and invent their own games.

The facility also includes nursing rooms, family restrooms and other amenities for the comfort of both children and caregivers. Four staff members covering safety management and childcare will be on duty at all times to ensure children's safety.

The facility is open to children ages 0 to 9. Weekday hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and weekend hours run from 9:10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is currently free, though a fee of up to 5,000 won per child may be introduced in the future in line with Seoul-style kids cafe operating guidelines.

"I hope Sodam Nuri Playground becomes a joyful space where children can play and imagine freely, and a place where caregivers can feel at ease spending time with their children nearby," District Mayor Yoo Chan-jong said.