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| Visitors take photos of Dutch visual artist Florentijn Hofman's massive "Rubber Duck" floating on Seokchon Lake in Songpa District, southeastern Seoul, in this Oct. 14, 2014, photo. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
By Park Han-sol
A giant yellow rubber duck that took Seoul by storm eight years ago with its sparkling eyes and tangerine beak is making its way back to the city this fall.
The super-sized inflatable bath toy will return to Seokchon Lake in Songpa District, southeastern Seoul, as part of Rubber Duck Project Seoul 2022, scheduled to run from Sept. 30 to Oct. 31, according to the event's organizers, Lotte Property & Development and Songpa District Office.
The "Rubber Duck" series is designed by Dutch visual artist Florentijn Hofman, who is well-known for monumental yet temporary urban installations that often have a playful tone to them.
The series made its debut in 2007 in France's Saint-Nazaire and has since traveled to 16 major cities around the world, including Sydney, Osaka, Sao Paulo, Hong Kong, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles, winning the hearts of millions on every stop.
The installation attracted an estimated 5 million visitors during its month-long display in Seoul from Oct. 14 to Nov. 14 back in 2014 to celebrate the opening of the nearby 123-story Lotte World Tower.
During the project's 32-day run this fall, the eastern side of Seokchon Lake will see a larger-than-life rubber ducky, which stands 18-meters tall and weighs several tons, drifting and gliding in the water.
To mark the duck's return, pop-up stores selling limited-edition merchandise will dot the neighborhood. And for the upcoming Halloween season, special photo zones will be set up, adorned with different versions of the original inflatable ducky, including Skeleton Duck, Dracula Duck, Ghost Duck and Rainbow Duck.
"The event has been organized to warm everyone's hearts amid these trying times with 'Rubber Duck," which became a symbol of healing and hope," Lee Jae-won, head of Lotte Property & Development's marketing team, said in a statement.
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