Seoul selects 10 hidden night spots to revive local businesses

Seoul is expanding its efforts to revitalize hidden neighborhoods by identifying 10 underappreciated nightspots for its 2026 Seoul Starlight Attractions initiative. The project aims to transform neglected parks, streams, walking paths, and historic districts into vibrant evening destinations that will encourage visitors to linger, engage with cultural activities, and spend money at local businesses.

The initiative extends beyond simple lighting installations, incorporating features like media art, landscape lighting, accessible walking paths, running tracks, and riverside seating to create immersive nighttime experiences.

One of the selected sites is the Heukseok Waterfront Trail in Dongjak District, where an underpass of the Olympic Expressway will be redesigned into a captivating evening attraction. The area will feature media art installations, landscape lighting, accessible walking paths, a dedicated running track, and riverside seating with panoramic views of the Han River and Nodeul Island.

In western Seoul's Seodaemun District, the Baramsan hill area of Changcheon Neighborhood Park will undergo a transformation into a nighttime attraction. While specific details of the proposed enhancements were not provided in the source, the project signals the city's commitment to highlighting lesser-known gems and creating a more vibrant urban landscape after dark.