Suwon's Public Relations Campaign Gets a Major Makeover, Drawing Strong Response

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special City's public relations efforts have undergone a dramatic transformation. Since last year, the city has actively collaborated with popular YouTube channels to promote itself, drawing enthusiastic responses.

Indeed, the 'Suwon Exploration' video released on January 23rd evening on broadcaster Kian84's YouTube channel 'Life 84' is generating significant buzz. Within one week, the video garnered 700,000 views and attracted over 1,300 comments.

Kian84, who graduated from elementary, middle, and high school in Suwon, introduced the city while walking through Gwanggyo Lake Park, Gyeonggi Art Center, and Ingyedong Na Hye-seok Street, sharing childhood memories. He also visited Suwon City Hall after clearing snow with city officials and discussed '1-person household support policies' with Mayor Lee Jae-jun.

Mayor Lee requested that single-person household resident Kian84 provide ideas for support policies, and Kian84 proposed hosting a 'solo marathon' for Suwon's unmarried men and women.

He also suggested promoting tourism through 'Haenggung-dong Open Canvas,' where artists freely paint murals in Haenggung-dong, and operating ox-cart rides for tourists to enjoy. Mayor Lee responded, saying he would actively consider Kian84's suggestions.

The 'Suwon Exploration' video released on the Life 84 channel that day was produced in collaboration with Suwon City. The collaboration with mega-influencers achieved both entertainment and city promotion in one effort.

Since last year, the city has been actively promoting itself through successive collaborations with popular YouTube channels.

In September last year, on Bapy Studio's 'Intern Theory' channel featuring singer Brian, the city promoted key policies including the Saebbit Civil Petition Center, veteran officials, and Saebbit Talk Talk, as well as Haenggung-dong tourist attractions (74,000 views). In October, Catch TV's 'Office Drama Theater' introduced the challenges of new MZ-generation officials and the Saebbit Civil Petition Center (100,000 views), garnering attention.

The city also produced collaborative programs with channels including 'Kim Jjamppong,' 'Gongdangi,' and 'Crazy about Travel,' receiving positive responses. In February, a video titled '8-Grade Official's Day in the Life,' introducing the story of the 'Suwon PR King' who was promoted to grade 8, is scheduled to be released on the 'Human Story' channel (105,000 subscribers).

Jo Yeo-jung, a section chief at the Public Relations Planning Division's Video PR Team, who serves as the 'Suwon PR King,' is communicating Suwon City policies in an accessible manner while appearing on both broadcast media and YouTube. She has appeared on YouTube channels including Catch TV, Human Story, Yonhapnews TV, and EBS.

Content created and produced by the Suwon PR King, including △ 'Real Kigisay Type' (ban on AI photo IDs) △ '9-Grade Difference, Let's Go to Haenggung-dong' (drama filming location) △ 'Ms. Go Young-hee, Come Out From There' (Yeong-heung Arboretum) △ 'Suwon PR King with Chungju PR Man,' has generated over 15,000 views and become a topic of discussion.

Department-level officials responsible for Suwon City's key policies are stepping forward as 'top instructors' to announce new policies and explain key projects through video content titled 'Suwon City Top Instructor,' which is being lauded for effectively informing citizens of policies.

The city is also actively conducting grassroots promotion utilizing bus stop bulletin boards, bus arrival alerts, subway stations, and elevator TVs frequently visited by citizens.

Bus stop promotion boards advertise the Saebbit policy series, while Suwon Station screen doors promote 'Suwon Urban Regeneration 2.0.' TVs installed in public places such as hospitals and saunas are also being utilized for promotion. 'Suwon City Brief News,' which sends useful information to citizens via text message, is sent to those who have agreed to receive city government text messages, and the response has been positive.

A city official stated, "No matter how good a policy is, it means nothing if citizens are not aware of it," adding, "We are firmly committed to promoting Suwon City policies actively so that more citizens recognize and enjoy our policies in a familiar and pleasant manner."