With support from K-pop fans, Seoul plans to use celebrity names for new groves

The metropolitan government of Seoul, the South Korean capital, announced on Friday that it intends to name a 10,000-square-meter area after celebrities in which new “star groves” will be built with the aim of generating good influence among visitors.

According to Hangang Park Seoul Headquarters, the space will be set up in Hangang Park Nanji from this spring, “as the popularity of Korean culture is increasing around the world,” it said in a statement.

According to the government, Hangang Park is a popular tourist destination among K-pop fans. Global BTS fans, called ARMYs, have already donated to the installation of RM Forest and Jungkook Forest, for example.

“BTS Forest was created after donations from fans around the world celebrating each member’s birthday, and so far, around 3,900 trees have been planted, making Hangang Park greener,” the statement said.

“Through the Hangang Citizen Forest project, the Seoul Hangang Park Project Headquarters helps citizens, businesses, organizations and fan clubs create forests by providing a space and some necessary tools and equipment. So far, 180,000 trees have been planted in 588 seats”.