Press

Underdogs, a startup education specialist company, is hosting the 'Localize Gunsan Festival' in Gunsan's original downtown area. The festival is in its 4th year as a follow-up project to the 'Localize Gunsan' project conducted with SK E&S from 2019 to 2021. 'Localize Gunsan' was a project that promoted regional revitalization in Gunsan by supporting the ideas of local entrepreneurs. It ran for three years starting in 2019, and since then, Underdogs has continued to work with entrepreneurs from Localize Gunsan in the city. This year's Localize Gunsan Festival will be held under the name 'Gather in Gunsan – Local:Rise.ZIP' as a festival where diverse entrepreneurs from inside and outside the region gather to make new attempts. In addition to entrepreneurs from Localize Gunsan, various small business owners and entrepreneurs will gather to diversify Gunsan. The festival program consists of Local Pop-up, Local:Rise Pick, and Collabo Project. The Local Pop-up features 'Oseong Market,' a pop-up store for local brands utilizing vacant spaces in Gunsan's original downtown, and 'Moeum.zip,' a participation event space. Oseong Market is a local brand pop-up store using the 'Oseong Laundry' building, a vacant space in Gunsan's original downtown. Visitors can meet a total of 12 local brands showcased by small business owners from Gunsan, Gangneung, Gangjin, Gongju, Naju, Daejeon, Yeongwol, and Jeju regions. Additionally, 'Suulseulchaicha,' a traditional liquor pub cafe, will be unveiled through a collaboration between 'Jooin,' a local-friendly traditional liquor bottle shop, and 'Cafe Look2,' operated by Kkotilida Youth Craft Cooperative. At 'Local:Rise Pick,' a forum on the theme of 'The Power of Sustaining the Local' will be held with the participation of economist Mo Jong-rin (alley economic scholar), Underdogs CEO Cho Sang-rae, and Kkotilida Youth Craft Cooperative representative Park Mi-sun. Additionally, through programs such as Hwahapdo's 'Empathy Travel,' Mukbang Colleague's 'Gunsan Tourist Attraction Chocolate Making Experience,' SuperWalker's 'History of Gunsan Screening,' Wolmyeong Studio Special Exhibition, and Jaram Family's 'Mom, Let's Travel,' visitors will have opportunities to experience Gunsan in new ways. On the final day of the Localize Gunsan Festival, 'Someone's Playlist Festival' will be held. In collaboration with 'Cheongsun Geureuda' from Jeonju, which shares the vision of spreading diverse cultural activities in the region, a performance will be held at the old city hall plaza in Gunsan's original downtown, where visitors can enjoy various food offerings. Underdogs CEO Cho Sang-rae said, "This year's Localize Gunsan Festival, now in its fourth year, is characterized by collaborating with small business owners and entrepreneurs from various regions beyond Gunsan. We hope many people will feel the unique charm of the region presented by local entrepreneurs and small business owners, and we hope it will serve as a foundation for Gunsan's entrepreneurs to continue their activities with support and interest."