[비즈한국] With the completion of Seoul Arena scheduled for the first half of 2027, excitement is growing among residents of Chang-dong, Dobong-gu, Seoul. While there is a strong sentiment that the introduction of a large-scale K-pop venue will attract younger crowds and revitalize the local commercial district, some residents have pointed out the need for preparations regarding the influx of crowds, traffic, and noise during performances.
At 9 a.m. on the 17th, the construction site of the Seoul Arena complex in Chang-dong, Dobong-gu, was filled with the sounds of clanging metal and moving heavy machinery. Located about a seven-minute walk from Chang-dong Station, the site saw a constant stream of construction vehicles, with workers busy at various points. Road construction was also underway near the Jungnangcheon stream behind the site.
The Seoul Arena complex is being built in the area of 1-23 and 1-24 Chang-dong, Dobong-gu, spanning two basement levels and six floors above ground, with a total floor area of 119,097 square meters. It is set to house an 18,300-seat arena, a 2,000-seat medium-sized performance hall, a cinema, and public music support facilities. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is aiming for completion in the first half of 2027.
The city plans to develop the Chang-dong area into a "K-Enter Town" that combines cultural, tourism, and commercial functions in line with the opening of Seoul Arena. This includes expanding lodging facilities to encourage visitors to stay and spend in the region, as well as creating cultural spaces connecting Chang-dong Station to the Seoul Arena area.
Most residents met in Chang-dong were welcoming of the arena's opening. There is high expectation that the new cultural facility will address the relative lack of such amenities in Seoul’s northeastern region and that the influx of visitors will lead to local revitalization.
A resident in their 50s named A, met near Chang-dong Station, said, "There hasn't been much of a reason for people to visit Dobong-gu in the past, but I think the number of visitors will increase once Seoul Arena opens." They added, "Since there will likely be more food and beverage consumption before and after concerts, I think it will be a big help to the local commercial district."
B, a 29-year-old resident who has lived in Chang-dong for about 20 years, also expressed anticipation, stating, "I used to have to travel far to watch K-pop concerts, and it was always tiring returning home afterwards. I'm happy that I won't have to do that anymore."
On the other hand, there are voices expressing concern over traffic and noise following the opening of Seoul Arena. Concerns were raised that the area could become congested when crowds and vehicles flock to large-scale events, and that noise from performances could disrupt nearby schools, apartment complexes, and cultural centers.
C, who lives in a nearby apartment complex, said, "Traffic in this neighborhood isn't exactly great. With so many people already coming to the nearby Hanaro Mart for groceries, I think traffic will be very congested on weekends after the arena opens." Another resident, D, added, "The school is close to the arena, so I'm worried that rehearsals held on weekdays might disturb the students."
Local authorities are preparing countermeasures. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is pursuing traffic improvement projects, such as putting the Dongbu Intercity Road’s Chang-dong and Sanggye sections underground and constructing bridges to connect the two areas. In August, Dobong-gu launched the "Chang-dong Economic Engine Promotion Team" to prepare measures for issues that could impact residents' lives, such as traffic congestion, crowd safety risks, and noise from large-scale events.
However, some traffic improvement projects will only be completed after the arena opens. While the target for Seoul Arena's completion is the first half of 2027, construction of the Chang-dong/Sanggye underground roadway is expected to continue until the second half of next year. There is a possibility that congestion may occur early on due to the overlap of construction work and the influx of large-scale audiences.
The Seoul Metropolitan Council has also pointed out that visitor inconvenience could occur if the underground roadway construction continues beyond the arena's opening. In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Government stated that it will continuously monitor construction progress and work with relevant agencies as well as Dobong-gu and Nowon-gu to ensure the project proceeds without setbacks.
Experts say that for Seoul Arena to become a representative cultural facility of the region, it is crucial to equip not only the venue itself but also surrounding infrastructure such as transportation, lodging, and convenience facilities.
Pop culture critic Kim Heon-sik said, "Accessibility and surrounding infrastructure are essential for a performance venue to be successful. As there has been a lack of large-scale venues in Seoul's northeastern region, Seoul Arena can contribute to the revitalization of local culture and the economy. To ensure visitors don't just watch a show and leave, the area must be equipped with the necessary transportation, lodging, and surrounding content."