Unlocking Connections: How the New Seoul Youth Center is Transforming Networking for Students

Translation result [Herald Economy=Senior Reporter Park Jong-il] The Dongdaemun District Office in Seoul (acting district head and deputy mayor Kim Ki-hyun) announced that Seoul Youth Center Dongdaemun, which relocated from the Cheongnyangni Station plaza to the college neighborhood in Hoegi-dong, officially opened after successfully hosting an unusual outreach program called “False Frequency” on the 25th of last month.

Introduced to mark the formal opening, “False Frequency” is a youth networking program built around an interactive Mafia game. Anonymous participants are assigned roles and converse as they work to identify the mafia; the format is designed to lower communication barriers and help participants build rapport.

Notably, young people who are typically reluctant to approach strangers found the game a low-pressure way to join conversations. Participants embraced their roles and exchanged lively views, turning the event into more than a leisure activity—it became an opportunity for local youth to form bonds and expand their social networks.

The program’s success also underscores the rationale for the center’s move from Cheongnyangni to Hoegi-dong (Hoegiro 165), where Kyung Hee University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and the University of Seoul are clustered.

By relocating directly into the college district, the center signaled its intention to lower the threshold for engagement through fresh programming that matches young people’s interests and trends rather than relying on conventional formats.

Seoul Youth Center Dongdaemun will follow “False Frequency” with a series of diverse programs tailored to the college area’s dynamic atmosphere.

Plans range from casual community activities that students can enjoy without pressure to more in-depth programs addressing mental health and career concerns, with the aim of becoming an integral part of students’ daily lives.

“Using a familiar medium like board games made it easier for young people to open up and connect, and we saw positive energy from those interactions,” a district official said.

Deputy Mayor Kim Ki-hyun added, “We will continue to actively support Seoul Youth Center Dongdaemun so it can become a central hangout in the college district where any local young person can come at any time to enjoy, rest, and grow. We look forward to strong applications and participation from interested youth.”