**’Morning Yellow’ Selected as Seoul Color for 2026**
– Following ‘Sky Coral’ and ‘Green Aurora,’ this is the third installment.
– Planned showcase at major landmarks like Seoul Tower.
– Collaboration with private companies for products like paints and goods.
On December 2nd, Seoul City announced ‘Morning Yellow’ as the Seoul color for 2026. Derived from the morning sun that rises every day, welcoming the citizens of Seoul, it represents a fresh start to their day.
Previously chosen colors include ‘Sky Coral’ for 2024, reflecting the sunset over the Han River, and ‘Green Aurora’ for 2025, inspired by the vibrant summer nights under the trees. This new color reflects the daily lives, emotions, and trends of Seoul citizens.
Seoul City explained that Morning Yellow embodies the desire for a peaceful and vibrant day, as it draws inspiration from the yellow hues of the morning sun that the citizens greet each day.
In light of analyses of societal, climate, and lifestyle changes using big data, 2026’s emphasis was aimed at finding stability and inner peace amid unstable conditions and digital fatigue noted in the previous year.
Recent trends show that self-care hobbies like running, handwriting practice, knitting, and walking are on the rise as citizens aim for personal happiness and vitality. In a survey of 1,416 Seoul citizens, ‘vitality’ was identified as the top value they wanted embedded in the 2026 Seoul color.
From now on, Morning Yellow will be showcased at key Seoul landmarks including Seoul City Hall, Namsan Seoul Tower, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Lotte World Tower, World Cup Bridge, Sinheungju Bridge, Gwanghwamun Square, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Sebitseom islands, and the Seoul Botanic Park. The color will also be expanded to other parts of the city, such as the Wonhyo Bridge, Cheonggyecheon and its bridges, and media poles at Gangnam Station.
Seoul plans to apply Morning Yellow broadly across various domains, including paints, goods, fashion, lifestyle items, and even in digital environments through lighting and media. Collaborations with companies like Noroo Paint and KCC are underway for the production of Seoul color paints and color books. Noroo Paint is also developing ‘Color Sound’ content, allowing people to experience color audibly as well as visually.
In partnership with artists and brands, Seoul will release collaborative products like eco-friendly small tables by LG Chem × Artist Jihoon Ha, hats by RAI, runner towels by Remi J, and flower pots by Sunday Planet 47. Further collaborations with fashion brands for items like t-shirts and socks are also in progress.
During a media briefing at Seoul City Hall, Mayor Oh Se-hoon expressed his vision that, much like Jeong Seon’s historical painting depicting the sunrise over Namsan, ‘Morning Yellow’ would symbolize the start and hope of Seoul, bringing peaceful energy and hope, further enhancing the city’s charm.