an artist's rendition of ROK Pavilion
scene of the press conference
The Republic of Korea will showcase blueprints of future cities along with its most advanced technology and traditional culture in its largest Expo pavilion ever at World Expo 2010.
The country, always among the most popular exhibitors at Expos, has unveiled its three-story, 6,160-square-meter Shanghai Expo pavilion design. The structure is composed of about 20 basic ROK letters.
ROK writing is one of the greatest inventions of its people, so the country will highlight words at the Expo 2010, said Joon Sang Chang, director of South Korea's Expo team.
The country's 2010 exhibit will feature a theme on "Friendly City, Colorful Life," echoing the Shanghai event theme -- "Better City, Better Life." It will also unveil plans for the Yeosu Expo 2012.
Visitors will be greeted on the ground with a microscopic view of the capital city Seoul. The iconic buildings and mountains in the city will be shrunk 300 times.
A performance stage and a waterfall will be built there as well. Visitors can watch traditional folk shows and a short film directed by the famous ROK director Kim Seong Soo.
The main exhibition area on the second floor will be divided into four sections – culture, technology, humanity and nature —where visitors will experience the current and future urban life of the country.
One of the center pieces of the pavilion will feature four hologram guides, including a ROK fashion model, a foreign chef, a lady and an IT engineer will show visitors where to go. This floor will also feature a restaurant serving ROK food.
ROK pop stars may also show up in the pavilion to welcome visitors, Chang said.
The cost of the pavilion will be US$20.72 million. ROKs expects about 5 million visitors will tour the pavilion during the 184-day event.
ROK has attended 17 World Expos since 1962. It won the "Best Pavilion" at the Expo 2005 Aichi and "Most popular pavilion" at the Expo 2008 Zaragoza.
