Seonghwa, a member of ATEEZ, was appointed as the public relations ambassador for his hometown, Jinju City in Gyeongsangnam-do. The ceremony was held at the Jinju Silk Museum in Munsan-eup on Friday, December 19. Seonghwa is a Jinju native who attended elementary, middle, and high school in the city.
The city chose him to promote Jinju’s cultural appeal and city brand both in Korea and internationally.
Mayor Cho Kyu Il presented the official letter of appointment and said, “I hope that, with his unique bright energy, he will play a great role in promoting Jinju’s history and local specialties such as silk to the world.”
Seonghwa expressed his gratitude and commitment, saying, “I am honored to take on the role of promotional ambassador for Jinju, the beautiful city where I spent my childhood,” and added, “This is a moment I have long hoped and wished for.”
He further shared how “meaningful” it is to represent his hometown, “To me, Jinju is not just a city – it is a place that holds the stories of my childhood and countless precious memories.”
Seonghwa recalled the meaningful moments of his childhood in Jinju. He spoke about the cherry blossom road of Bibongsan, the Jinju Youth Training Center that supported his dreams. In addition, the ATEEZ member mentioned the autumn festival with its lanterns, the shimmering light of the Nam River in winter, and the warmth of the people he met in the city. He promised to share the beauty and warmth of Jinju with more people as part of his role.
The city announced the event on its official social media, and applications to attend the ceremony quickly filled. After the ceremony, the 27-year-old idol held a “One-Day Mentoring” session for ten pre-selected youths and young adults.
To celebrate his appointment, the Jinju Silk Museum launched a special exhibition running until the end of January 2026. Visitors can see silk bromides of Seonghwa and handwritten messages from him. It offers a unique way for fans to connect with both the artist and the city.
On the work front, Seonghwa’s group ATEEZ is also in the middle of their largest world tour to date, In Your Fantasy. They performed in massive arenas and stadiums across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Next, ATEEZ will head to Taipei (January 24, 2026), Jakarta (January 31, 2026), Singapore (February 22, 2026), and more.