Seoul Light Opens, Positioning DDP as a Hub for Seoul-Style Night-Time Economy

[Financial News]  The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to develop Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) into a key hub for a Seoul-style night-time economy. Centered on the media art festival Seoul Light DDP, the city aims to link light and performances with food and shopping, drawing visitors from DDP into nearby commercial districts in Dongdaemun. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said on the 1st that the Seoul Design Foundation will host Seoul Light DDP 2026 Fall at DDP from the 3rd to the 13th. During the event, it plans to operate a K-Food Zone and the DDP × Dongdaemun Super Pass to guide visitors to about 140 nearby restaurants, cafes, shops and cultural spaces.
In particular, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has decided to make night-time content permanent by operating Dream in Light even after the festival ends. Its strategy is to analyze visitor numbers, length of stay and sales at nearby businesses, and then develop DDP into a leading model for Seoul's night-time economy. The key is not simply to extend business hours, but to expand citizens' after-work cultural and leisure activities as well as tourists' night-time experiences, and connect them to spending in surrounding commercial areas.
DDP events have in fact been shown to boost sales at nearby businesses. According to an analysis by the Seoul AI Foundation of consumption data before, during and after seven cultural events held at DDP in 2024, sales at businesses inside DDP rose by an average of 12.2% during the event period, while overall sales in the Dongdaemun area increased by an average of 10.8%. In an additional survey conducted in January this year, 69.8% of respondents said they used nearby businesses after visiting DDP.
Cha Kang Heui, CEO of the Seoul Design Foundation, said, "DDP is a leading hub for Seoul's night-time economy, where large-scale cultural content, shopping, fashion and food are concentrated and can lead from cultural viewing to night-time activities and spending in commercial districts." She added, "Through a range of night-time content, including Seoul Light DDP, we will create a virtuous cycle in which that vitality spreads to nearby businesses."

[email protected] Seong Chorong Reporter