K-pop concert opens 8-day ‘Seoul Festa 2023’

Seoul aims to jump-start tourism impacted by the pandemic with K-pop, fashion and beauty

A tall, pink teddy bear known as “Bellygom” is displayed at the Gwanghwamun Plaza in central Seoul, the main event venue of “Seoul Festa 2023” (Seoul Metropolitan Government)

The Seoul Metropolitan Government kicked off its annual tourist event, “Seoul Festa 2023,” on Sunday, with a star-studded K-pop concert making its way back to pre-pandemic normalcy.

The city embarked on the eight-day festival with an opening concert at the Olympic Main Stadium in Jamsil Sports Complex, southern Seoul, attended by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and some 40,000 attendees.

In his opening remarks, Oh expressed hopes that visitors will be able to enjoy Seoul’s “style” and “taste” through the festival.

Under the city government’s initiatives to jump-start tourism, the second edition of the event, held under the slogan “Feel the Real Seoul,” will welcome visitors until May 7.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon speaks at the opening ceremony of “Seoul Festa 2023,” held at the Olympic Main Stadium in Jamsil Sports Complex, southern Seoul, on Sunday. (Seoul Metropolitan Government)

Foreign visitors line up at the “K-Beauty Zone” at the Gwanghwamun Plaza in central Seoul, the main venue of “Seoul Festa 2023” on Sunday. (Yonhap)

Seoul started offering an array of cultural experiences on Sunday through “Seoul Culture Square” in which cultural booths cover Gwanghwamun Plaza.

As part of the event, the city has installed a tall, pink teddy bear known as “Bellygom” at the Artwork Zone for photo opportunities. The Seoul Tourism Promotion Zone will offer on-site help for foreign visitors.

A K-Drama and K-Fashion zones have been set up in the plaza, where visitors can listen to drama soundtracks, look at garments worn by K-pop artists and design their own canvas bags. At the K-Beauty zone, they can learn about makeup looks that are trending in Korea.

The city is hosting Seoul Shopping Festa until May 7, offering up to 50 percent discounts on shopping items at some 3,000 stores across the metropolis.

Seoul also collaborated with domestic artists for the Myeongdong Festival, which will run until May 7, by forming galleries at vacant stores to attract international consumers back to the shopping district.

Visitors are seen at the “Seoul Culture Square” at the Gwanghwamun Plaza in central Seoul, the main venue of “Seoul Festa 2023” on Sunday. (Yonhap)

Visitors are seen at the “Seoul Culture Square” at the Gwanghwamun Plaza in central Seoul, the main venue of “Seoul Festa 2023” on Sunday. (Yonhap)

Drone light shows will be performed on Monday, Friday and Saturday for 10 minutes at 8 p.m. at the Ttukseom Hangang Park Waterfront Stage to showcase the city’s night views.

Hallyu-themed activities are also in place.

Starting Monday, visitors can receive dance training from a YGX choreographer, indulge in Korea’s dining culture by learning how to make cocktails, tour the SM Entertainment headquarters, the K-pop powerhouse behind NCT and aespa, and experience a cooking class from professional chefs.

Visitors are seen tasting Makgeolli, traditional Korean alcoholic beverage, at the Gwanghwamun Plaza in central Seoul, the main venue of “Seoul Festa 2023,” on Sunday. (Yonhap)

This year’s event also features “Seoul Bridge Market,” which will be held on Saturday at the Jamsu Bridge on the Han River, inviting visitors to enjoy various Korean gastronomies.

“We’ve planned this year’s ‘Seoul Festa 2023’ as a festival where (visitors) can be charmed by Seoul,” Chief of the city’s tourism and sports bureau Kim Young-hwan said.

By Park Jun-hee(junheee@heraldcorp.com)