Every October, the skies above '여의도 한강공원' (Yeouido Hangang Park) in Seoul light up with a spectacular display of fireworks during the Seoul International Fireworks Festival. This annual event, which began in 2000, is organized by '한화' (Hanwha), a major Korean conglomerate, as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts.
Though Hanwha is now a large company with various subsidiaries, it started as a company that produced explosives. In fact, the name "한화" is a shortened form of "한국 화약" (Korea Explosives.) True to its origins, Hanwha continues to host this massive fireworks festival every year, bringing excitement and joy to countless spectators.
Date and Location
This year's event is scheduled for Saturday, October 5th, from 7:20 PM to 8:30 PM. The main viewing area is set up at the parking lot and folk game grounds of Yeouido Hangang Park, with 10,000 seats available. Of these, 2,500 seats are being sold online for the first time this year, while the remaining seats will be allocated via a lottery system.
However, securing one of these 10,000 seats is incredibly difficult, as the festival typically attracts around one million spectators annually. Most people will have to find their own perfect viewing spot somewhere along the Han River.
Performance Schedule
In addition to Hanwha's Korean team, other countries are invited to participate every year. This year, teams from Japan and the United States will join the festival. Japan and the U.S. will each present a 15-minute fireworks display, followed by a grand 30-minute finale by the Korean team. There will also be DJ performances and other events before and after the fireworks show.
Tips for Enjoying the Festival
This event draws an enormous crowd, so bringing a bicycle or car to the venue is nearly impossible.
Even public transportation can be a challenge. Yeouinaru Station on Line 5, which is closest to the festival, will likely be overwhelmed with people, and there’s a chance the subway might skip the station entirely or that entrances will be closed. A better option is to get off at a station farther away, such as Yeouido Station, Saetgang Station, or Daebang Station, and walk for about 30 minutes to the venue.
Added)
I found a video of the 2024 Seoul International Fireworks Festival. Please enjoy. :)
➤ Today, we explored the Seoul International Fireworks Festival, an annual event that brightens the Han River every October. Fireworks festivals aren’t limited to Seoul, though. In November, Busan hosts a major fireworks show, and in my hometown of Sejong City, there’s a New Year’s Eve countdown event complete with fireworks. While these may be smaller in scale compared to the Seoul festival, they offer a more relaxed atmosphere for those looking to enjoy the show without the huge crowds. If you’re interested, it’s worth checking them out!
