Seongdong-gu and SM Entertainment brighten neighborhood walls for fourth year running

Seoul's Seongdong-gu and SM Entertainment have continued their joint mural-painting volunteer program for the fourth consecutive year, working together to revitalize aging residential areas across the district.

The mural project is part of a public-private ESG initiative in which Seongdong-gu partners with local businesses to improve deteriorating neighborhood environments. SM Entertainment, which is headquartered in the district, organizes a volunteer team of employees each year to take part in the effort.

This year's activity took place Saturday at the Haengung daycare center, a district-run facility in Haengdang 2-dong. About 30 SM employees and their family members joined the painting work, transforming the center's faded exterior walls into bright, vibrant murals. The project aimed to provide a more pleasant environment for the children at the center while also adding color to the surrounding streets for local residents.

Seongdong-gu and SM have carried out mural projects at various locations across the district since 2023. In 2023 and 2024, they renovated worn walls along an alley near Sungil Children's Park in Seongsu-dong. Last year, they painted murals on the aging exterior of Geumbong daycare center near the rose garden at Daehyeonsan, brightening the surrounding area.

The initiative is a meaningful example of public-private cooperation, with a local company's voluntary community contributions and the district government's support working together to consistently improve residents' living environments and bring tangible change to the neighborhood.

Seongdong-gu has been pursuing a range of community contribution projects in partnership with local businesses. Notable examples include the creation of a safe pedestrian walkway along the cafe street near Seongsu Station with Sosodosi and the Tmoney Welfare Foundation, the installation of anti-illegal-advertising covers on utility poles with Clio, and career support for out-of-school youth with Marang Candle.

"The consistent attention and participation of local businesses has been a great source of strength in improving the living environment for our residents," Seongdong-gu District Mayor Yoo Bo-hwa said. "We will continue to foster cooperation and support so that businesses and the local community can grow and thrive together."