ㅎ | HORIZON 9

1, 2, & 4 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul “HORIZON 9” was a luxury suspended lounge connecting two skyscrapers in the heart of Seoul’s Gangnam district. Commissioned in 1996 by renowned architect Park Yi-jun, husband of socialite Park Yeon-jin, the project was completed in September 1998 and officially opened in December of the same year. During construction, multiple structural faults were recorded but ultimately overlooked. Patrons frequently reported excessive swaying while inside the lounge, with some experiencing motion sickness. Park Yi-jun dismissed these concerns, prioritizing cost savings and the high-profile charity gala to be hosted by his wife. At the gala, HORIZON 9 collapsed in under three minutes due to structural failure, killing Park Yeon-jin and dozens of South Korea’s most prominent celebrities. The disaster’s impact was so profound that the government declared a period of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast, and state funerals held for the victims.