Cheil Worldwide creates 'Bridge of Life' for Samsung Life Insurance in Seoul
It is unfortunate that South Korea, one of the most wired countries with dazzling economic growth, has the highest suicide rates amongst OECD member states.
Mapo Bridge, one of 25 over Seoul’s River Han, has become a popular spot for suicide attempts as it has better access to pedestrians. Rumor also has it that being the closest bridge from Yoido, the country’s financial district, one would have loss-stricken investors head straight to the bridge and jump off. Over the past five years, 108 people jumped off the Mapo Bridge and 48 of them died. In an attempt to prevent such a practice, Seoul City teamed up with Samsung Life Insurance and its advertising agency, Cheil Worldwide. The objective was to urge respect for life and re-position Mapo Bridge as a healing place. The bridge is now nicknamed the Bridge of Life.
come”, “How would you like to be remembered as a father?”, “So many things have yet to happen”, and “Your mom” - all these messages were carefully crafted after consulting with psychologists and suicide-prevention activists.
friends, one giving consolation to the other. It’s called “Just once again” statue, as there’s a memo on the back of the statue reading “Hey dude, just think about it once again”
The passers-by can feel as if the lights and words are talking to their hearts. These words are great consolation to some people, telling them to think about their loved ones and brace for life once again. Mapo Bridge, built in 1970, has witnessed not only Korea’s dramatic economic development but also numerous suicide jumpers. It is successfully turning itself into a healing place as well as tourist attraction. After 4 months of operation, the bridge is now nicknamed as the Bridge of Life.