In the eastern part of Seoul, you can find the large-scale ecological theme park known as “Seoul Forest.” The easiest way to reach Seoul Forest is by using the subway, specifically taking the Suin Bundang Line to Seoul Forest Station and exiting from Exit 4.
Upon exiting from Exit 4 of the subway, you’ll come across a hip space filled with stacked shipping containers. This area is known as “Under Stand Avenue.”
“Creative Cultural Space, Under Stand Avenue”
Under Stand Avenue is a creatively designed public cultural space, combining the words “Under” and “Stand” to signify its purpose. Spanning approximately 1,200 square meters next to Seoul Forest, it consists of 116 containers organized into seven thematic “Stands” that support the dreams and passions of artists, youth social enterprises, and local small business owners.
Under Stand Avenue was created through a joint effort between Lotte Duty Free, which provided 10.2 billion won in funding for public purposes, and ARCON in partnership with Seoul’s Seongdong-gu. It was designed to serve as a cultural space for citizens while also supporting the self-reliance and growth of vulnerable groups.
“Seven Thematic Stands”
At Under Stand Avenue, you can find seven thematic “Stands,” each serving a unique purpose:
- Youth Stand: Fostering talents and potential in youth.
- Heart Stand: A healing space to increase happiness.
- Mom Stand: Promoting healthy cooking methods and eco-friendly ingredients.
- Art Stand: Supporting artists and content creators.
- Power Stand: A space of hope for aspiring youth.
- Social Stand: Supporting social enterprises and youth ventures.
- Open Stand: Providing popup spaces for youth and artists.
“Asia’s Largest ESG Space”
Under Stand Avenue is the largest ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) space in Asia. Since its opening on April 18, 2016, it has welcomed over 8 million visitors to date, evolving into a representative hotspot in Seoul’s Seongdong-gu, with over 1.3 million annual visitors.
Notably, throughout Seongdong-gu, you can find places that cater to the preferences of the MZ generation using container boxes, with Under Stand Avenue being the original pioneer of such spaces.
At Under Stand Avenue, you’ll discover various shops, galleries, cafes, and even the streets exude a trendy atmosphere, providing an exotic ambiance. Additionally, the place always seems to have a special festival-like atmosphere, making it a unique experience.
Whether you visit during the day or at night, it’s a great place to explore. Especially after visiting nearby Seoul Forest, it’s a wonderful spot to take a stroll and enjoy the surroundings.
“Seoul’s Seongdong-gu, Under Stand Avenue”
- Address: 63 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
- Phone: 02-725-5526
- Website: Under Stand Avenue