SEOUL, September 13, 2024: Hyundai Card has announced that tickets for the DaVinci MOTEL festival are sold out for international visitors. The festival is scheduled for Sept. 27–29 at Hyundai Card’s branded venues in Itaewon, Seoul. This year is particularly significant as it marks the first time Hyundai Card has opened overseas ticket sales.
Launched by Hyundai Card in 2019, DaVinci MOTEL is a multicultural event. It features unique icons from the arts, academics, business, and technology sectors. These leaders present various sessions including talk shows, live performances, exhibitions, and busking. This year, the event will host 39 curated sessions covering a range of topics including history, science, law, and K-culture.
Highly anticipated talks, live music and performance art
The most popular session to date will be led by Hyundai Card’s Vice Chairman, Ted Chung, and Sangyup Lee, Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design Center. Their discussion, ‘Attitude towards design, attitude in design,’ will share insights on strengthening branding and design management, transforming the financial and automotive industries, and maximizing corporate value.
Noteworthy speakers include RYO, founder and Chief Brand Officer of the London Bagel Museum; Han Tongil, a Vatican Supreme Court lawyer; Korean-American actor Steven Yeun; and photographer Daniel Arnold. Yeun will discuss the power of K-content and his acting journey and philosophy. Arnold will talk about shooting on New York City’s dynamic streets.
The event will also feature performance art from New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and performances by K-pop artists such as RAIN, SUNMI, JANG BEOM JUNE, and Zion.T. Artists from pop, rock, indie, and jazz genres, including QWER, The Quiett, CHANGMO, Mandong Jazz Trio, and Tabber, will also perform. MoMA’s performance art is tied to the ‘Joan Jonas: Good Night Good Morning’ exhibition, which had a successful run at MoMA in New York last April. RAIN and SUNMI will give solo performances, while The Quiett and CHANGMO will collaborate on a unique hip-hop performance. QWER will make their first stage appearance since their comeback in September.
Enjoy benefits of 23 brands on-site through NFTs
Hyundai Card will provide both online and offline non-fungible token (NFT) for attendees of DaVinci MOTEL. As in the previous year, all tickets have been issued as NFTs by Hyundai Card. This is to prevent misuse, such as scalping and unauthorized transfers.
This year, the plan is to extend the NFT experience from online to the offline space. Ticket holders will receive limited-edition T-shirts embedded with near-field communications (NFC) technology. These can be tagged to receive coupons for various offers. The offers are from the 23 pop-up stores and street brands participating in the event. These coupons can be used freely throughout the three-day event. This applies regardless of attendance at any specific programs or sessions.
Various events prepared in collaboration with Itaewon merchants
In addition to the main DaVinci MOTEL event, Hyundai Card has organized various side events. These are designed to make DaVinci MOTEL a local festival embodying the international spirit of Itaewon. Visitors can explore trending brands at the various pop-up stores. These include the London Bagel Museum, a must-try bagel shop, and Forbidden, known for its sensual bath and wellness products.
DaVinci MOTEL Street, located between Itaewon Station and Hangangjin Station, will offer benefits from 36 brands collaborating with Hyundai Card. Visitors can receive coupons with hidden gifts from several brands. These include British heritage brand Hunter, casual wear brand Series, and sneaker shop On The Spot.
DaVinci MOTEL ticket holders can also enjoy a 10% discount at 16 well-known Itaewon restaurants and bars. These include New Order Club, Parc, Dozen Oyster, and Baustelle.
Even those without tickets can participate in a variety of free workshops. These include crafting moru wire dolls or silk-screening T-shirts. Additionally, a variety of busking performances are scheduled daily to entertain all attendees.