Largest display of compact discs: South Korea breaks Guinness World Records record (VIDEO)
SEOUL, South Korea -- A giant display made of old CDs at the international craft biennale in the central South Korean city of Cheongju has set a World Record; a total of 489,440 CDs were collected from nine countries including South Korea, Japan, China and the U.S. between April and August to create a facade that covers three sides of the old tobacco processing plant in the city in North Chungcheong Province, setting the new world record for the largest display of compact discs,
according to the World Record Academy. Photo: The old factory was covered in exactly 489,440 glittering CDs setting a World Record of the "Largest Display of Compact Discs Ever." (enlarge photo)
The Guinness World Records' record for the largest display of compact discs consists of 489,440 and was achieved by Byeong Sam Jeon, Sung Hun Lee, Ho Il Kim and public volunteers (all South Korea), during the 2015 Cheongju International Craft Biennale, in Cheongju, South Korea, on 16 September 2015.
Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the largest ice lantern display; it contains 2,651 separate lanterns and was achieved by Vuollerimbygden (Sweden), in Vuollerim, Sweden, on 5 February 2013. Inhabitants of Vuollerim decorated their village with the ice lantern display during the week where the winter market is held in the nearby town of Jokkmokk. Nearly 490,000 CDs were collected from nine countries including South Korea, Japan, China and the U.S. between April and August to create a facade that covers three sides of the old tobacco processing plant in the city in North Chungcheong Province, the organizing committee of the Cheongju International Craft Biennale said.
A total of 489,440 CDs were used. "This project not only set a world record but testified to the power of a united Cheongju," Lee Seung-hoon, head of the organizing committee, said.
"Our citizens have volunteered their efforts to take full ownership of this event."
The Cheongju Tobacco Factory was built in 1946 and was not used for seven years until it finally closed down in 2004. In 2011, it was transformed into an exhibition hall by the Cheongju International Craft Biennales, setting an example of Korea's urban renewal.
"I thank the 850,000 Cheongju citizens for transforming the old tobacco processing plant into a piece of art," Lee Seung-hun, head of the organizing committee, said. "You helped raise Cheongju's international status as a city steeped in culture and art."
The CD Project has been widely credited for transforming the city's dilapidated tobacco plant to a piece of art, according to organizers.
