Goyang City in Gyeonggi Province has achieved financial success through large K-pop and domestic concerts at the Goyang Sports Complex, and is expected to accelerate the establishment of a 'K-pop specialized arena' based on this success.
Recently, Goyang City presented a case of new revenue generation titled '55 billion won in annual non-tax revenue from hidden assets! The turnaround drama written by Goyang Special City' at the 2025 Non-Tax Revenue Research Presentation Conference held by Gyeonggi Province, winning the 'Grand Prize.'
This is the result of hosting large concerts at the Goyang Sports Complex located in Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang City this year. By transforming the Goyang Sports Complex, which had only been used as a sports facility, into a large performance venue, it generated an annual non-tax revenue of 55 billion won. Additionally, it resolved the issue of public facility deficits and had a positive ripple effect on the local economy, including revitalizing local culture and increasing sales for small businesses.
This marks a new development plan for Goyang City, which has been reborn as the Goyang Sports Complex. It has been visually confirmed that public assets are being utilized efficiently, increasing financial independence. Over the past year, it attracted a remarkable 690,000 spectators, achieving results that were not possible in the past.
Since last year, global hip-hop star Kanye West, ENHYPEN, SEVENTEEN, Dream Concert, G-Dragon, Coldplay, BLACKPINK, and other major artists have been visiting the Goyang Sports Complex. Until now, stadium-level performances were mostly held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, but due to negative issues such as damage to the grass related to national team matches, including the K League (Korean Professional Football League), it was suspended. Eventually, the Seoul World Cup Stadium began to impose restrictions by removing ground seats.
In addition, the Jamsil Main Stadium is currently undergoing remodeling and is expected to be completed in December next year. As a result, the Goyang Sports Complex has become the only venue capable of accommodating large artists, emerging as a good alternative for both domestic and international fans.
The Inspire Arena located in Yeongjongdo, Incheon boasts a capacity of about 15,000, but this space is insufficient for large artists who typically draw 30,000 to 50,000 attendees. Additionally, domestic fans have expressed that the geographical location near Incheon Airport imposes a significant burden in terms of time and costs.
On the other hand, the Goyang Sports Complex has the advantage of relatively easy access from Incheon Airport via airport buses, making it convenient for overseas fans to visit. Domestic fans also find it convenient due to well-established public transportation options such as Line 3 (Daehwa Station) and GTX (KINTEX Station).
In this way, Goyang City is emerging as a hub for popular culture centered around the rising K-pop.
In fact, Gyeonggi Province had previously partnered with CJ Group to develop the so-called 'CJ Live City' project. This was planned as a space encompassing various cultural projects, including a K-pop concert specialized arena (CJ Arena), K-content experience facilities, commercial, accommodation, business, and tourism facilities.
In reality, construction of the CJ Arena began in October 2021, but it faced difficulties due to the stabilization of price increases in 2023, supply chain issues for raw materials, and a notification from Korea Electric Power Corporation regarding the inability to supply electricity, ultimately leading to its cancellation. The CJ Arena was designed to accommodate 20,000 indoors and 40,000 outdoors, aiming for completion in the second half of 2024, but it ultimately fell through.
With CJ Live City departing, the current project is the 'Goyang K-Culture Valley Complex Development Project.' CJ Group has withdrawn from this project. Instead, four private companies, including Live Nation Korea, NHN Link, NOL Universe, and G2 Partners, have entered the project. Gyeonggi Province plans to select a preferred negotiation partner in October after receiving business proposals and evaluating them.
A music industry official stated, "Goyang City is close to Seoul and is also relatively convenient in terms of transportation from the airport. In a situation where it is difficult to secure large performance venues, there is no space in the country as suitable as the Goyang Sports Complex," emphasizing that "the existence of stadium-level performance venues is the most essential element for the globalization of K-pop culture."
Goyang City is expected to take another shot at the arena establishment, using the successful case gained from hosting concerts at the Goyang Sports Complex as a model.
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
