Hyundai Motor Co. kicked off its 2014 “wish ball” event in Seoul on Friday.

Sixty large balloons have been installed along the U-street near Gangnam station. Pedestrians may leave New Year messages on the balls from Friday until Dec. 31.

On Dec. 31, Kim Tae-woo, Lee Seung-hwan and 2AM will perform on M-Stage near the subway station. National soccer team manager Hong Myung-bo, rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae and other celebrities will send video messages.

Pianist Kim Nam-geol, 17, will play a solo recital on stage as a winner of Hyundai Motor’s “The Brilliant Countdown 2014 Campaign.” The campaign promises to give the opportunity to perform or hold an exhibition to two artists with developmental disabilities if a targeted number of people support them on its website (countdown.hyundai.com).

The countdown to the New Year will begin with a splendid laser show. At midnight, the balloons will be released into the air.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)