On the morning of the 12th in front of exit 10 of Gangnam Station in Seocho District, Seoul. Workers were busy installing a golden penguin statue about 4 meters tall. The penguin stretched both hands forward, facing straight ahead. It held a heart-shaped ornament in its hands, and there was also a heart on its chest.
People stopped and looked at the statue. Some took photos with their phones. One passerby stared at the statue for a while and repeated several times that it was "unique."
Public reaction is split over the so-called "golden penguin" going up in front of Gangnam Station. Some welcome seeing a famous designer's work in the city center, while others say it doesn't fit the Gangnam Station area's vibe and that the budget is excessive.
◇ Three golden penguin statues set to be completed next month
According to Seocho District on the 13th, there will be three statues installed near exit 10 of Gangnam Station. The 1.2-meter and 4-meter statues have appeared on-site, and the 5-meter statue is undergoing restoration work. All are golden penguin forms. They feature striped bodies and hearts attached to the chest.
The project was planned by designer Jaime Hayon (JAIME HAYON) from Spain. Hayon has collaborated in Korea with Hyundai Department Store and Lotte Construction, among others. He is known for character designs with beaks.
The piece being installed in front of Gangnam Station is titled "The Gift." It is described as expressing people and love. Installation is expected to wrap up in early next month. A total budget of 679.8 million won was invested, including this piece and the sculpture in front of Seoul Arts Center.
Public assessments were divided. A person surnamed Choi, 27, who commutes near Gangnam Station, took a photo of the statue, saying it "could become a landmark of Gangnam Station." By contrast, a person surnamed Kim, 53, said, "The body's stripes remind me of churros," adding, "It's fun, but it also looks bizarre."
Opinions also poured in on social media (SNS) and online communities. Some said, "I'm looking forward to seeing it completed," and "It's fun to spot unique sculptures while walking down the street," while others argued, "It doesn't fit Gangnam Station," and "The production cost is a waste."
◇ A debate that repeats whenever sculptures go up
This is not the first time there has been a divide over public sculptures. Each time a large, eye-catching piece or statue is installed, hopes that it "could become a city symbol" clash with criticism of "wasting taxpayers' money."
The "Gangnam Style" sculpture installed in 2016 in front of COEX Plaza in Samseong-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, is a prime example. The sculpture, which embodies the horse-riding dance from singer Psy's song "Gangnam Style," cost about 400 million won. Right after it was unveiled, some said it "could become a symbol that promotes Gangnam," but louder criticism said the budget was excessive.
The sculpture of the movie "The Host" in Yeouido Hangang Park was also removed after controversy. The piece, which depicted the monster from the film, was once expected to become a tourist asset but was criticized for hurting the cityscape. It ultimately disappeared 10 years after installation.
In Seoul alone, roughly 100 public sculptures appear every year. According to Arts Council Korea (ARKO), as of this year there are 4,437 public sculptures in Seoul. Sculptures account for 3,476, or 78.3%.
Under the Culture and Arts Promotion Act and its enforcement decree, buildings above a certain size must install artworks such as paintings, sculptures, and crafts, and among these, sculptures are often chosen because they are relatively easier to maintain.
◇ Cases where once-maligned sculptures became local symbols
Public sculptures sometimes become targets of political controversy. Gwanghwamun Plaza's recently unveiled "Garden of Gratitude" by the Seoul Metropolitan Government is one such case. The symbolic work "Light of Gratitude 23" consists of 23 stone pieces 6.25 meters high, representing the 22 nations that fought in the Korean War and Korea.
However, some civic groups criticized the piece for evoking a "present arms" posture and said it does not suit Gwanghwamun Plaza, a square for democracy. Critics also said it would be hard to harmonize with existing pieces such as the statue of King Sejong.
Conversely, there are cases where works overcame harsh early reviews to become local symbols. The giant caveman statue installed in 2018 in Dalseo District, Daegu, was criticized right after its unveiling for spoiling the cityscape. But during the COVID-19 outbreak, it was used in promotions encouraging mask-wearing, changing perceptions. It later earned the name "Imanong (二萬翁)," and in 2024 it was appointed a public relations ambassador for Dalseo District.
Experts advised that to reduce disputes over public sculptures, authorities should strengthen procedures for gathering public opinion before installation. Jeon Chan-gi, an emeritus professor in the Department of Urban Engineering at the University of Incheon, said the government and the public could narrow differences by hearing public input during the installation process or soliciting the city council's views.