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SM Entertainment opens cultural facility

January 14, 2015
The exterior of six-floor SMTOWN@coexartium, a cultural facility for K-pop fans in Samseong-dong. (Courtesy of SM Entertainment)

The exterior of six-floor SMTOWN@coexartium, a cultural facility for K-pop fans in Samseong-dong. (Courtesy of SM Entertainment)

By Kwon Ji-youn

A miniature version of SM Entertainment was unveiled Tuesday with the opening of SMTOWN@coexartium in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul.

SM artists, including Girls’ Generation, SHINee, EXO and Super Junior Tuesday walked the red carpet into the six-floor atrium, where an opening ceremony for “SMTOWN@coexartium, Theme Park in the City” took place.

SMTOWN@coexartium is a cultural facility where fans and tourists will be able to undergo the ultimate SM experience.

SUM, a celebrity shop on the second floor of SMTOWN@coexartium, carries souvenirs and fashion items that SM artists have designed or recommended. (Courtesy of SM Entertainment)

SUM, a celebrity shop on the second floor of SMTOWN@coexartium, carries souvenirs and fashion items that SM artists have designed or recommended. (Courtesy of SM Entertainment)

“I would like to thank all those who have come here tonight to celebrate the opening of the artium, especially our SM artists,” SM Entertainment chairman Lee Soo-man said at the ceremony. “I wanted to build an amusement park in the city, and that’s why this facility is subtitled ‘Theme Park in the City.’ Our goal was to bring content together so it can be accessible at one venue, including content unique to SM.”

“We hope to provide our visitors with an upgraded version of SM content,” Lee said. “I continue to remind myself that SM is a leader in the entertainment industry, and this burden is heavy on our shoulders. Many of our projects are being attempted for the first time.”

At the ceremony, a preview of the hologram musical “School OZ” starring SM artists was screened, as was “Girl Story,” an SM hologram concert. The SM Rookies also put on a joint performance.

Members of K-pop girl group Girls' Generation pose during an event celebrating the opening of SMTOWN@coexartium in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul, Tuesday. (Yonhap)

Members of K-pop girl group Girls’ Generation pose during an event celebrating the opening of SMTOWN@coexartium in
Samseong-dong, southern Seoul, Tuesday. (Yonhap)

On the first floor of SMTOWN@coexartium is a welcome zone that leads to the second floor, where SUM, a celebrity shop, will present tourists and fans with souvenirs and fashion items that SM artists have designed or recommended.

SUM is no longer a mere merchandise shop, but a collaborative project among SM artists, local lifestyle brands and talented designers.

The third floor has a studio where visitors will be able to experience a real music video or photo shoot, and perhaps record an album on the side. The recording booths and photo studios have replicated those that SM artists use, and a training studio has been set up for those seeking one-point lessons or vocal training. All training will be administered by professional SM staff.

Also on this floor is a salon at which visitors can get stage make-up and hair done. In alliance with related organizations, SM will also provide internship opportunities to those educated in photography, sound engineering and producing.

The “LIVErary Cafe” is located on the fourth floor, adorned with SM artist-autographed stills and albums. Here, visitors can take a break from the recording, shooting and shopping with snacks and a cup of coffee. Also featured is an archive, through which the history of SM artists can be seen in a glance, as well as a music lounge with a juke box and turn table.

On the fifth and sixth floors is a theater at which the hologram musical was premiered on Wednesday.

Also present at the opening ceremony were Yoon Jong-lok, second vice minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning; Han Duck-soo, president of the Korea International Trade Association; Song Sung-gak, president of the Korea Creative Content Agency; and celebrities including actor Jang Dong-gun, Kim Su-ro and comedian Kang Ho-dong.

The SMTOWN@coexartium project involves some 40 small- and medium-sized businesses and the Science and ICT Ministry with the joint aim objective of creating and providing new digital contents.

SMTOWN@coexartium opened its doors to the public Wednesday.

 

 

2 Comments

  1. kpopper

    January 15, 2015 at 1:54 AM

    OMFG!!!!!! LIKE OH. MY. TOP. I CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT I JUST READ, VOCAL TRAINING, FASHION ITEMS, MERCH, PHOTOSHOOTS….. WAIT I JUST NEED TO PROCESS ALL THAT IN MY BRAIN *LOOKING BLANKLY AT THE COMPUTER*
    AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH…… O.K I’M ALL GOODS NOW
    AND I’M EFINITLY GOING TO SOUTH KOREA FOR MY BIRTHDAY :) ;)

    Reply

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