Seoul Metropolitan Government to provide up to 1 billion won in funding over two years to build out nighttime destination infrastructure; 'Starlight Fish' media art, busking zone and seasonal gardens to anchor the district's new evening identity
Gwanak-gu's Byeolbit Stream, a waterside space in the heart of Seoul, is set to be transformed into a nighttime destination where light meets culture and the arts.
Gwanak-gu announced Tuesday that Byeolbit Stream had been selected for the Seoul Metropolitan Government's "Seoul Starlight Landmark" project, laying the groundwork for the stream to become the leading nighttime attraction in southwestern Seoul.
Byeolbit Stream sits about a five-minute walk from Sillim Station, served by both Subway Line 2 and the Sinrim light rail line, giving it strong transit access. The station draws an average of roughly 100,000 passengers a day, and the surrounding area already features a musical fountain, landscape lighting and a hydrangea garden, making it a well-positioned urban retreat for a nighttime destination.
The district plans to develop the stretch between Sillim Bridge and Bongnim Bridge by 2027, pursuing three core strategies: establishing a nighttime brand identity for Byeolbit Stream, expanding waterside leisure content, and creating a destination tied to the local commercial district — all aimed at boosting nighttime tourism and revitalizing the neighborhood economy.
The district will build out nighttime infrastructure including a "Starlight Fish" media art installation and a dedicated busking zone, and improve the waterside terrace. It will also expand year-round programming — seasonal media art, performances and gardens — to encourage visitors to linger. Nearby traditional markets and alley commercial districts will be woven into the experience to extend visitor stays and inject energy into the local economy.
The Starlight Fish media art installation will incorporate seasonal visuals alongside participatory content featuring residents' wishes and messages of encouragement, offering fresh attractions across all four seasons. A busking zone equipped with a small stage, lighting and sound facilities will give youth and local artists a venue to perform.
Seasonal gardens — hydrangeas in spring and chrysanthemums in autumn — will be planted along the stream, while the waterside terrace will receive upgraded flower beds and new landscape lighting, creating a distinctive retreat where residents can enjoy the waterfront scenery day and night, season after season.
Ties to the local commercial district will also be strengthened. The district plans to link existing festivals — including the Sinwon Market moonlit night market, the Seowon-dong shopping street sundae festival and the Sillim Starlight Street night market — with discount coupons and cashback events for customers, drawing Byeolbit Stream visitors into the surrounding alley shops.
"This selection is a meaningful milestone for Byeolbit Stream — a chance to grow from a neighborhood retreat into the premier nighttime destination in southwestern Seoul," Gwanak-gu District Mayor Park Jun-hee said. "We will continue to harness the area's outstanding location and rich cultural and commercial assets to layer vibrant arts and a thriving local economy onto its beautiful waterfront scenery, making Byeolbit Stream a place everyone wants to walk through and linger in."
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