Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Ancient Silla capital illuminated for APEC
Visitors watch a media art show projected onto Cheomseongdae in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Proivnce, Oct. 23. Courtesy of Gyeongju City
By Baek Byung-yeul
As the APEC meetings started with the opening of APEC week on Monday, the host city of Gyeongju — once the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-935 A.D.) — unveiled its transformation into an after-hours masterpiece through illumination and multimedia art. By combining cutting-edge technology with its world-renowned heritage sites, Gyeongju is offering unforgettable nighttime experiences for delegates and tourists from APEC member economies.
With more people seeking after-dark cultural experiences, Gyeongju is reimagining its historical sites, including Woljeong Bridge, Cheomseongdae, Daereungwon royal tomb complex, and Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond as luminous nightscapes that blend ancient storytelling with digital spectacle.
At the heart of the city is Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, once a Silla royal garden and pavilion complex. The site glows with soft lighting focused on the tranquil pond and restored structures, creating a serene yet majestic atmosphere perfect for evening strolls and photography.
People cross a stream near Woljeong Bridge in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, last month. Courtesy of Gyeongju City
Nearby, the magnificent wooden structure of Woljeong Bridge shines with warm ambient lighting. This bridge once served as the main gateway connecting Silla palaces to the city's southern districts.
To celebrate the international gathering, a special hanbok fashion show featuring Korean traditional attire will take place on the bridge’s waterside stage on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., combining media projections, a drone show and the bridge as a shining backdrop to showcase the elegance of hanbok.
Cheomseongdae, believed to be Asia's oldest existent astronomical observation tower, is also being utilized as a cutting-edge attraction, with its exterior being used as a massive media screen. The display shows the Silla kingdom’s history, including scenes of astronomers observing the stars, meteor showers and comets.
The area surrounding the Daereungwon, a park filled with some of the largest and most important of Korea's ancient tomb mounds, is now illuminated with lights and video art. These installations will show off the gentle curves of the royal tombs, creating a calm experience where the history of ancient Silla seems to come alive with light, until Nov. 16.
For a taste of contemporary Korean culture, visitors can take a short detour to the adjacent Hwangnidan-gil area. This area offers numerous stylish boutiques, cafes and bars, creatively repurposed from traditional Korean-style buildings, making it the perfect spot for refreshments and a stroll.
Multimedia art, lasers, fireworks and drones create a light show over Bomun Lake in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Monday, ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. Newsis
Ahead of the highly anticipated APEC CEO Summit and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, the Gyeongju City and North Gyeongsang Province governments invested about 15 billion won ($10.5 million) to upgrade the area around the Bomun Tourist Complex, located east of downtown and home to key summit venues, facilities and accommodations.
The complex gleams beautifully at night, with its centerpiece being the newly enhanced Bomun Lake. The central lakeside square now features a 15-meter-tall oblong sculpture to symbolize APEC, inspired by the foundation myth of Silla's first king, Hyeokgeose, who was born from a giant, shining egg.
The performance areas will feature multimedia shows until Nov. 2., using lights reflecting off the water to create a mystical atmosphere. Additionally, a light trail and new photo zones have been added along the lake.
In addition to these installations, the traditional Yukbuchon hanok building now features a media facade telling the foundation story of the ancient kingdom.