The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (Minister LEE Young, hereinafter referred to as MSS) held the opening ceremony of the Winter Buy K Festa at D Forest and Oullim Square in Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul on December 7.
The event marked the official opening of the last Buy K Festa in 2023, which will run for 28 days from December 4 to December 31. The festa is designed to support SMEs and micro-enterprises, which are the backbone of the Korean economy. It also aims to spread the culture of warm consumption and sharing warmth during the year-end holidays.
➊ Opening event with SMEs and micro-enterprises (18:00-18:55)
First, the opening ceremony held at DDP D Forest was attended by more than 70 people from SMEs and micro-enterprises, private retail channels and platforms, and heads of related associations and organizations who participated in the May and September Buy K Festas.
In particular, singer Tei, the promotional model for the Buy K Festa, and six representative micro-enterprise models by region and age performed a warmth-sharing ceremony together.
Through the warmth-sharing ceremony, they spread the light of hope to SMEs and micro-enterprises struggling with the economic downturn and shared warmth together.
➋ Various attractions, food, and activities available for three days (14:00-20:00)
From December 7 to 9, the festival will also feature a variety of consumer-oriented side events.
D Forest, where the opening event was held, will host 55 novel entrepreneurial micro-enterprises (Lifestyle & Local Innovation Unicorn, licorn) based on local content until December 8.
The licorns will sell a variety of products, including a famous café-type mill that applies roastery techniques to perilla seeds from Gangwon-do (Okhee Mill), a chocolate collection processed and produced directly on Jeju Island (Kakao Family), and pet food made by drying seafood in its original form (East Sea Brothers). Visitors can experience the passion and dedication of strong micro-entrepreneurs showcased through these products.
In addition, the Snow Flower Stage, Warmth Event, Nationwide Market, Warmth Market, Warmth Sharing Booth, and Buy K Festa booths will be open until 18:00 on December 9. They are located on the lower level of DDP Oullim Square Miraero.
The Snow Flower Stage is a simple stage with a warmth message tree and a snowflake photo zone. Visitors can enjoy small-scale performances such as volunteer busking. The adjacent Warmth Event Zone will host daily giveaways for visitors with purchase receipts for micro-enterprise products in Jung-gu, Seoul, and for those who hold blood donor card.
The Nationwide Market and Warmth Market will showcase popular products of long-lasting small business and master small manufacturer (eight companies) from across the country. These products, which are always present at Buy K Festa, will be displayed and sold. There will also be a variety of winter foods from each region, as well as products from 100 companies participating in Buy K Festa.
In addition, complimentary hot tea and fish-shaped buns (bungeoppang) will be distributed by the National Coffee Shop Owners Cooperative at the Warmth Sharing Booth. The Korea Professional Photography Association and the Korea Gift Wrapping Association, both affiliated with Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise, will also be sharing their talents until December 9.
Minister LEE Young stated, "The Winter Buy K Festa opening event is the final Buy K Festa of the year. We are holding it in Seoul to bring everyone together to reflect on the year and share the spirit of warmth." She added, "We hope that the strength drawn by the entire nation through this Buy K Festa radiates to the SMEs and micro-enterprises around us with warmth."