Osan's K-POP International Academy Expected to Take Shape by October Next Year

The full blueprint for the K-POP International Academy and music video production studio set to be established in Osan will be unveiled as early as October next year.

According to the city on the 27th, SM Entertainment (CEO Lee Soo-man) will begin feasibility studies for establishing the K-POP International Academy and music video production studio next week.

Separately, the city is proceeding with urban management plan changes and obtaining permits for cultural property alterations related to the planned establishment site.

A city official stated, "After completing the feasibility study results and administrative procedures such as urban management plan changes by October next year, a concrete business plan will be prepared."

SM Entertainment (CEO Lee Soo-man) will actually commence feasibility studies next week at 185,025 square meters across six parcels including Yangsan-dong, Land Plot 19-116, for establishing the K-POP International Academy and music video production studio.

Based on the feasibility study results around May next year, the overall scale of the K-POP International Academy and music video production studio, along with the outline of auxiliary facilities for various cultural contents, is expected to become clear.

The city is conducting practical consultations with SM Entertainment separately from the feasibility study regarding cultural content.

Additionally, the city will conduct a resident notice period for the planned establishment site by the 28th of this month regarding changes to the urban management (district-level) plan, and will then proceed with deliberations with relevant agencies, request opinions from the city council, seek consultation from the urban planning deliberation committee, and undergo approval procedures with Gyeonggi Province.

The city has also begun consultations with the Cultural Heritage Administration regarding cultural property alterations, as part of the planned establishment site falls within a cultural heritage protection zone.

A city official stated, "There is already public consensus on the establishment of the K-POP International Academy and music video production studio, and the administrative procedures are proceeding without major issues." He added, "If we proceed as planned, Osan will become the mecca of K-POP."

Meanwhile, on August 23rd, Gyeonggi Province, Osan, and SM Entertainment signed a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of the K-POP International Academy and music video production studio.