Traditional Korean liquor tastings to take place across Seoul

The government is set to launch a pop-up store and traditional Korean liquor tastings across Seoul starting Friday.

The Sool Gallery in Jongno District, central Seoul [JOONGANG ILBO]

The government is set to launch a pop-up store and traditional Korean liquor tastings across Seoul starting Friday.

Running through Sept. 1, these upcoming flash events are jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

From Aug. 16 to 18, a pop-up event dubbed “The Korean Nights” at Gyeongdong Market in Dongdaemun District, eastern Seoul, will feature regional sool (Korean spirits) tastings alongside DJ performances and a quiz show about Korea’s agricultural products. This event will coincide with Gyeongdong Market’s weekly 1960 Night Market, which features food trucks and shops operating from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

More in-depth information about sool will be showcased at the cultural complex, HiKR Ground, in Jung District, central Seoul, and The Sool Gallery in Jongno District, central Seoul, from Aug. 20 to Sept. 1. Titled “Retro Trip Around Korea with Traditional Sool,” the exhibit introduces programs for tourists to experience crafting traditional liquor from eight regions.

Tastings will be available at The Sool Gallery, where staff will guide visitors through the process of purchasing bottles online. Featured sool include apple wine from Yesan County, South Chungcheong; Bulhwi Farm’s homemade wine from Yeongdong County, North Chungcheong; distilled alcohol Chuseong Goeul from Damyang County, South Jeolla and wild grape wine from Deokyu Distillery in Muju County, North Jeolla.

More information about the upcoming sool events is available on the websites naenara.or.kr and thesool.com.

“I hope that our traditional liquor and the traditional market will become local tourist resources, promoting the region’s charms and acting as catalysts for revitalizing the local economy,” said Vice Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Park Beom-soo.

Culture Ministry Second Vice Minister Jang Mi-ran added, “We will introduce undiscovered tourist content in the country so that people can enjoy their trips to Korea in various ways. We also plan to expand collaboration with other ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, to encourage more people to visit regions outside Seoul.”

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]