How the Changwon Youth Popup Store is Transforming Local Culture: Insights and Experiences!

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As part of Changwon City’s Youth 365 Hot-Place Project, the Youth Startup Pop-up Store and Youth Beauty Festa drew strong crowds to Sponge Park from April 24 to 26. On April 27, Changwon City said the event aimed to promote local content and strengthen networks among young entrepreneurs by partnering with youth-run businesses. Approximately 3,000 young people and other visitors attended the beauty-themed event.

The beauty pop-up zone offered hands-on experiences in hair, makeup, esthetic treatments, personal color analysis, perfume and nail services. Side events—including a blank-staring contest, yoga sessions, fortune-telling and tarot readings, an AI \”find your ideal match\” feature, dating coaching, and picnic blind dates—also captured attendees’ interest. A flea market tied to Sponge Day and a big-blanket \”super picnic\” concept gave visitors additional attractions. Participants praised the fresh pairing of beauty experiences with a picnic atmosphere.

In May, Sponge Park will host a food-themed youth startup pop-up, followed in June by an event focused on sports and personal interests. Organizers said the series aims to develop local content models and satisfy young people’s appetite for cultural activities, with local youth businesses and popular brands taking part. The program will also include social-media-driven side events and collaborative initiatives with local merchants.

The Youth 365 Hot-Place Project comprises six initiatives: a Garosu-gil content contest, Baro-suk classes, youth startup pop-up stores, youth small-business flea markets, a Garosu-gil youth festival, and a Garosu-gil lawn theater. Anchored at Sponge Park — a youth cultural and arts complex selected as part of the Changwon Garosu-gil and youth cultural district project — the plan seeks to broaden young people’s access to culture and leisure while strengthening their opportunities for self-development.

Jeong Seong-rim, Changwon City’s youth policy officer, said, \”Programs like the pop-up stores and Baro-suk classes are injecting energy into young people’s daily lives. We will continue to promote youth-led projects to make Garosu-gil a year-round destination that young people want to visit. These initiatives create urban hotspots where young people can grow in their everyday lives, and the city will advance the project with continuous monitoring and feedback.\”

Gyeongnam — Reporter Do Nam-seon (aegookja@viva100.com)