In the heart of Seoul’s Han River, three futuristic islands once shimmered with promise. Named Vista, Terra, and Aqua, these artificial islets were designed to float—not just physically, but symbolically—above the city’s reputation for rigid infrastructure. They were to be the crown jewels of urban innovation: solar-powered, eco-conscious, and architecturally bold. A place where culture, commerce, and sustainability would converge.
A Floating Vision
Launched in 2011, the “Sebitseom” floating islands were part of Seoul’s push to reimagine public space. The city envisioned open-air theaters, glass-walled event halls, and LED-lit promenades. Tourists would flock to concerts and exhibitions. Locals would sip coffee while watching the river shimmer. It was a dream of fluidity—of a city that could reinvent itself on water.
But beneath the surface, cracks were forming.
The Weight of Spectacle
The islands cost over $80 million to build, but foot traffic was sparse. Critics called them “ghost islands.” Maintenance costs soared. The solar panels underperformed. And the floating structures—meant to symbolize sustainability—were quietly tethered to the riverbed, unable to truly float. By 2013, the project was embroiled in controversy over mismanagement and inflated expectations.
The islands still exist, but their original purpose has faded. One hosts weddings. Another sits mostly empty. The third is used for occasional events. The dream of a floating cultural hub has been moored by reality.
Reflections on Urban Mirage
Sebitseom wasn’t just an architectural experiment—it was a mirror. It reflected the tension between spectacle and substance, between visionary design and civic engagement. It asked: Can a city truly innovate if its people aren’t invited to participate?