Every space has a story: Urbanplay connects people with local culture
In Korea, cafes are no longer just places to grab a cup of coffee. They are increasingly becoming cultural venues where visitors can discover local brands, browse curated products and exhibitions and sample menus developed in collaboration with local businesses. The shift extends beyond cafes, with retail spaces doubling as venues for exhibitions, performances and pop-up events. For Urbanplay CEO…
In Korea, cafes are no longer just spots for grabbing a coffee. They are transforming into cultural hubs where visitors can explore local brands, browse exclusive products and exhibitions, and taste menus crafted with local businesses. This trend extends to retail spaces, which are now being repurposed as venues for exhibitions, performances, and pop-up events.
Urbanplay CEO Hong Joo-seok emphasizes that every space carries its own narrative. He believes the value of a physical location lies not only in its design but in the experiences it provides and the stories it shares with visitors. To achieve this, Urbanplay focuses on meticulously planning the content visitors will encounter and creating services that keep them engaged with a brand even after their visit, according to Hong in an interview with The Korea Times.
The company, established in 2013, bridges the gap between brands and local creators by utilizing physical spaces. Instead of merely designing the architecture, Urbanplay concentrates on curating the content within and crafting a compelling user experience.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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