DDP Marks 5th Anniversary with 42 Million Visitors

DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza) marked the fifth anniversary of its opening on March 21. Since opening its doors in 2014, DDP has become a new landmark not only for Dongdaemun but for all of Korea. Having made an emergency landing in Dongdaemun like a giant spaceship, it now stands tall as a design hub beloved around the world. DDP has won the affection of citizens with cultural content as captivating as its striking exterior. A wide variety of events—including exhibitions, fashion shows, and markets—are held at DDP year-round without pause. To date, a total of 182 exhibitions large and small and 457 events have taken place, establishing DDP as a world-class complex cultural space that reaches beyond Korea. Beginning with a collaborative exhibition with the Kansong Art Museum, which opened alongside DDP, the venue has become renowned as a space where world-renowned luxury brands such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton stage their artistic activities. Starting with 2014's 'Culture Chanel: The Sense of Places,' DDP has been consistently loved as an art space for global brands—through 2017's 'Volez, Voguez, Voyagez – Louis Vuitton,' which drew 300,000 visitors, Max Mara's 'Coats!,' and 2018's 'Van Cleef & Arpels: The Story of Noah's Ark.' Karl Lagerfeld, the fashion maestro who passed away last month, and Alessandro Mendini, a legend of the design world, also visited DDP in person to hold a fashion show and an exhibition. Mendini, in particular, offered lavish praise for the DDP architecture designed by Zaha Hadid. The Seoul Design Foundation, which operates DDP, has continuously worked toward shared growth with the Dongdaemun commercial district, achieving results both large and small. 'Dongdaemun, Style Festa,' which began as a pilot program in 2017, evolved last year into the 'Design by Dongdaemun' market, exhibition, and forum, showcasing the many facets of Dongdaemun. Collaborative items between Dongdaemun retailers and emerging designers were praised for opening a new path for Dongdaemun. To celebrate its fifth anniversary, DDP is presenting internationally acclaimed content across a range of fields including fashion, architecture, and design. 'Hello, My Name is Paul Smith,' which opens on June 6, is an exhibition co-organized by the Seoul Design Foundation and London's Design Museum to commemorate DDP's fifth anniversary. Some 1,500 pieces—including artworks from the personal collection of fashion designer Paul Smith—will be on display, offering a special opportunity to explore the designer's wide-ranging and diverse career as well as his private world. The Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, first unveiled in 2017, returns to the public from September 7 to November 10. Under the theme 'Collective City,' this biennale will present various exhibitions at DDP, the Donuimun Museum Village, the Seoul Center for Architecture & Urbanism, the Urban Architecture Exhibition Hall, and Sewoon Sangga. Key programs include the Thematic Exhibition, the Cities Exhibition, the Global Studios, and the Live Projects, along with a diverse array of public participation programs including a film festival and tours. Seoul Design Week will be held for seven days, from September 20 to 26. As a global design festival for public participation and communication, it will feature a variety of programs including the Human City Design International Conference, exhibitions, awards, and public participation events. 02-2153-0000