Daejeon Metropolitan City continues its city marketing efforts featuring its beloved representative characters, the "Kkumssi Family." In a recent initiative, the city has installed a large photo zone showcasing the iconic characters Dreamdori(꿈돌이) and Kkumsooni(꿈순이) at the Sintanjin Expressway Service Area (towards Seoul). This aims to create memorable experiences for visitors and promote the city's charm.

Located in front of the "Daejeon Love Excellent Products Hall" within the service area, the new photo zone features prominent figures of Dreamdori and Kkumsooni, inviting travelers to capture delightful moments. The Kkumssi Family, comprising the married couple Dreamdori and Kkumsooni, their children, and a pet, are cherished celestial fairy characters that hold significant popularity among Daejeon citizens. Their widespread appeal was further solidified when they were voted as the "Top 1 News of Daejeon Citizens" last year.

Beyond the photo zone, Daejeon City is implementing a comprehensive marketing strategy at the Sintanjin Service Area. Plans are underway to sell a variety of Kkumssi merchandise within the products hall, offering visitors the opportunity to purchase souvenirs featuring the beloved characters. Additionally, the service area restaurant will soon offer "Dreamdori Ramen," a themed dish designed to further engage visitors with the Kkumssi brand through culinary experience. This integrated approach aims to connect character-based experiences with tangible product consumption, enhancing the overall visitor engagement.

The "Daejeon Love Excellent Products Hall" itself serves as a platform to showcase the quality products of Daejeon's social economy enterprises and outstanding small and medium-sized businesses. Visitors can find a diverse range of items, including food products, handcrafted goods, and daily necessities, all produced within the Daejeon region. Furthermore, the hall provides access to various promotional materials, such as Daejeon tourism guidebooks, information on the 0 o'Clock Festival, and gifts offered through the Hometown Love Donation System, effectively serving as an information hub for the city.

To further attract visitors, the city and the service area management regularly organize special events during major holidays like Lunar New Year and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving). These events often include popular product discount sales and special selections of holiday gifts, catering to the increased traffic during these peak travel periods.

A representative from Daejeon City emphasized the strategic importance of the Sintanjin Service Area, stating, "The Sintanjin Service Area is the only expressway service area directly serving those passing through Daejeon and is also connected to a pet playground, making it a popular destination for both residents and external visitors." They further added, "We encourage everyone to stop by the service area, create joyful memories with the Kkumssi Family, and experience the charm of Daejeon."

Looking ahead, Daejeon City is set to expand the presence of the Kkumssi Family and local products. The "Daejeon Social Economy Innovation Town," scheduled to open in Gayang-dong in July, will feature a dedicated space on its first floor for exhibiting and selling Kkumssi merchandise and other excellent products from Daejeon. Currently, the city is in the process of recruiting tenant companies for the 52 available spaces within the Innovation Town, indicating a broader strategy to integrate the Kkumssi brand into various aspects of the city's economic and cultural landscape.

This multifaceted approach, leveraging the popularity of the Kkumssi Family and the strategic location of the Sintanjin Service Area, underscores Daejeon's commitment to innovative city marketing. By creating engaging experiences and promoting local products, the city aims to enhance its image, attract tourists, and foster economic growth within the region. The introduction of the Dreamdori and Kkumsooni photo zone is a tangible step in this direction, promising to bring smiles to travelers' faces and further solidify the Kkumssi Family's role as beloved ambassadors of Daejeon.