This preliminary chapter introduces the discussion of governance to demonstrate power, knowledge, and strategy, as well as the many different actors that contribute to the placemaking process in varying degrees. It also discusses viewing communication in placemaking as an encounter between power structures, knowledge politics, and actors’ strategies for involvement in placemaking governance. The chapter explains how governance in the Asian context and specifically South Korea differs from studies in a Western context. The three primary differences are attributed to path-dependence on a former developmental state, the volatile transition to democracy, and the continuing influence of hierarchical relations. It then introduces the structure of the book with each chapter dedicated to one or two placemaking initiatives usually controlled by the national or city governments, or sometimes both. In each case, there was conflict resolved or attempted to be resolved through communication or one instance immediate cooperation between government actors and the civil society members including farmers, artists, experts, and civic organisation people.