Empty Factory Reborn: Sejong’s 100-Year-Old Industrial Buildings Become Cultural Hub
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
In Sejong’s old downtown, two century-old industrial buildings — the 1927 Sanil Silk Mill (a former silk reeling factory) and an adjacent paper mill remodeled as the Jochiwon 1927 Art Center — have been restored and transformed from derelict sites into a vibrant mixed-use cultural space. Preserving historic elements like the sawtooth roofs, restorations added performance halls, galleries, cafes and hands-on exhibits. A 4m x 20m mural by British pop artist Mr Doodle, titled “HANGOODLE,” melds his iconography with 25 beloved Hangul (Korean alphabet) characters and has become a photo magnet. Events such as a Hangeul international pre-biennale (drawing 50,000 visitors) and local food–oriented night tours with drinks and dishes made from regional ingredients are boosting tourism and community engagement. City officials expect the revitalized site to spur wider downtown renewal and plan a larger Hangeul international biennale in 2027.
