Korea kicks off summer festival season with something for everyone

Whether water-based, rock-infused or classically inclined, a myriad of festivals with diverse themes are being held for music lovers this summer.

Music festival Waterbomb Korea in 2023 [WATERBOMB]

Whether water-based, rock-infused or classically inclined, a myriad of festivals with diverse themes are being held for music lovers this summer.

A splash of water and music

Waterbomb Korea is the quintessential summer festival in Korea, renowned for its refreshing water-based activities. Waterbomb Korea 2024 boasts an impressive lineup of performers, including singers Chungha, Hwasa, Taemin and Nayeon, along with rappers Zico, Jay Park, Simon Dominic, Changmo and more. Waterbomb Korea is being held nationwide, with the Seoul festival taking place last weekend. It is now continuing at various venues every Saturday until Aug. 31, featuring water gun fights, live music, and swimming pools, with tickets priced at 154,000 won ($111.50) available online.

S2O Korea Songkran Music Festival in 2022 [S2O KOREA SONGKRAN MUSIC FESTIVAL]

Another prominent water-spraying festival is the S2O Korea Songkran Music Festival, which brings Thailand's traditional Songkran holiday to Korea. Held at the Seoul Land theme park in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi, from July 13 and 14, this festival merges Songkran's water-splashing fun with electronic music. This year's lineup includes renowned DJs Nicky Romero, Ben Nicky and Ray Volpe. Ticket prices are 129,000 won for Saturday, 119,000 won for Sunday and 209,000 won for a two-day pass.

Seoul Land will also host another water event, aptly titled Water Wars Festival. The festival kicked off on June 18 and will be held until Aug. 27. The festival will feature DJs playing different genres of music, water gun fights and theme park attractions. Tickets for entry to the theme park are 52,000 won for adults, 46,000 won for teenagers and 43,000 won for children. Admission after 4 p.m. grants a 13,000 won discount.

Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival in 2023 [INCHEON PENTAPORT ROCK FESTIVAL]

For rock music fans

For those who prefer to combat the heat with high-energy music, the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival is a must-attend event.

Since 2006, this festival has been a haven for rock enthusiasts in Korea. Scheduled this year for Aug. 2 to 4 at Incheon's Songdo Moonlight Festival Park, the festival lineup features international rock legends Jack White, Kim Gordon and Sepultura, alongside Korean indie veterans such as Broccoli, you too? and Glen Check. Ticket prices start at 120,000 won for a one-day pass, with additional days costing 60,000 won each. Discounts are available for KB card users, disabled individuals, soldiers and people of national merit.

Sunset Stage at music festival Have a Nice Trip in 2023 [HAVE A NICE TRIP]

Rocking outdoors can be a great way to fight the summer heat, but not all rock music is about dancing around, and many indie fans prefer a more relaxed approach.

Have a Nice Trip music festival offers a shaded, chilled vibe. Organized by Mint Paper, known for hosting various music festivals, this event will take place at Kintex Exhibition Hall Two on July 27 and 28. The lineup includes British indie musicians King Krule and Sampha, as well as Korean artists like Kiss of Life and Kwon Jin-ah. Tickets for each day are priced at 150,000 won for on-site purchases and 132,000 won for online presales.

Jeonju Ultimate Music Festival is another one for those looking for a more relaxed experience. With a more Korean-centered lineup than Have a Nice Trip, the festival hosts some famous names, such as Korean folk singer Kang San-eh, indie musicians Jang Ki-ha, Car, the garden and Idiotape. The festival will take place from Aug. 9 to 11 and additions to the lineup will come at a future date. Ticket prices start at 90,000 won for a one-day pass, with additional days costing 40,000 won each. Discounts are available for JB card and KJ card users.

Classical music festival Music in PyeongChang 2023 [MUSIC IN PYEONGCHANG]

Calling all classical enthusiasts

Classical music enthusiasts can escape the summer heat at the 2024 Music in PyeongChang festival. Held in the cool, breezy province of Pyeongchang, Gangwon, this classical music festival has been an annual event since 2004. This year's theme, "Ludwig," celebrates the works of Beethoven and those influenced by him. The festival will take place from July 24 to 31, featuring performances by renowned classical musicians in both indoor and outdoor venues. Ticket prices differ depending on which performances attendees intend to watch.

Yeowoorak Festival returns this year, with updated Korean traditional music cooling down the summer heat. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the festival, which kicked off on July 4, and it will be held until July 24. The annual music festival, which showcases both pure and crossover gugak (traditional Korean music) concerts, will be held under the theme, “Here is our music." The geomungo (traditional Korean six-string zither) musician, Park Woo-jae, is the artistic director of the festival, and artist May Kim has taken the helm of the festival’s visuals and art. Each performance will cost 30,000 won to watch.

Music festival Lollapalooza in Chicago in 2022 [GETTY IMAGES]

Korean acts around the world

Korean artists are also making their mark on international stages this summer.

Stray Kids and IVE are set to perform at the U.S. Lollapalooza festival, held from Aug. 1 to 4 in Chicago's Grand Park. Lollapalooza has been held since 1991, founded by Perry Farrell of U.S. alternative rock band Jane’s Addiction. The festival is well-known for having a diverse lineup across all genres and nationalities. Boy band Tomorrow X Together and BTS member J-Hope performed at the festival in 2022.

Japanese music festival Summer Sonic in 2023 [SUMMER SONIC]

Japan’s famed Summer Sonic music festival will also feature numerous K-pop artists, with the most Korean artists in the lineup in the festival’s history. Girl groups Babymonster and IVE, boy bands NCT Dream, Ateez, ZeroBaseOne, BoyNextDoor and Riize, music duo AKMU and rapper Lee Young-ji will perform on stage.

Summer Sonic, true to its name is the quintessential summer music festival of Japan, with this year marking its 24th anniversary. Although the festival largely started as a rock music festival, it has gradually evolved over the years to include different genres of music. This year’s headliners for the festival are Italian glam rock band Maneskin and U.S. metalcore band Bring Me the Horizon.

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]