'Pokémon Mega Festa 2026' suspended following overcrowding concerns

The 30th anniversary event for Pokémon in Seongsu-dong, eastern Seoul, was abruptly suspended on Friday due to safety concerns, as massive crowds gathered in the area.

Pokémon sculptures sit at the Seoul International Garden Show's Pokémon Secret Forest in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul. [NEWS1]

The 30th anniversary event for Pokémon in Seongsu-dong, eastern Seoul, was abruptly suspended on Friday due to safety concerns, as massive crowds gathered in the area.

Pokémon Korea launched “Pokémon Mega Festa 2026” that day, transforming Seoul Forest and the surrounding streets into themed zones, including a “Pokémon Secret Forest,” containing sculptures of multiple Pokémon, and “Ditto Playground.” The event also featured activities such as a stamp tour, in which participants earn stamps for visiting specific locations.

The festivities were scheduled to take place at multiple locations across the city throughout May to mark the 30th anniversary of the Japanese animation franchise.

However, on the first day of the event, crowds overwhelmed the Seongsu area, with lines forming overnight and only growing longer in the morning.

On social media, eyewitnesses reported, “There’s no room to step outside from Seongsu Station’s exits,” and, “[The place] looked dangerous. Police cars were even dispatched.”

The police had begun to receive multiple reports citing concerns about overcrowding from 10:39 a.m. The Seoul Metropolitan Government estimated that around 40,000 people had gathered in Seongsu by noon.

As the situation worsened, organizers suspended events one after another at the request of city authorities, starting with the stamp tour at around 11 a.m. Access to the themed zones was also restricted from the public.

Visitors crowd the Seongsu-dong neighborhood in eastern Seoul on May 1. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Attendees strongly criticized the organizers for their inadequate preparation for and response to the situation.

On social media, complaints poured in, such as, “Thousands of people gathered. It felt like a zombie outbreak,” and, “Even mobile data stopped working.”

One user pointed out that instead of concentrating on the relatively narrow Seongsu area, the themed zones and popular activities, including a promotional Pokémon card event, should have been distributed across multiple locations in Seoul, even if it meant participants had to travel greater distances.

Pokémon Korea apologized via its official social media channels and announced plans to reschedule the card event.

“We ask for your understanding, as [Pokémon Mega Festa 2026] has been temporarily suspended due to safety concerns caused by large crowds,” Pokémon Korea said.

According to Pokémon Korea, the canceled “Magikarp” card distribution event will be rescheduled, with further details to be announced through official channels on Monday.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

BY PARK JONG-SUH [yoon.seungjin@joongang.co.kr]