Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
INTERVIEW Fireworks designer to light up Seoul skies Oct. 6
Colorful fireworks paint the skies during the 2017 Seoul International Fireworks Festival. Courtesy of Hanwha
By Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
Yoon Du-yeon
The countdown to the Seoul International Fireworks Festivals is underway, which is scheduled to light up the Seoul skies Oct. 6.
The well-coordinated firework display has become a must-see event, reeling in over a million spectators each year from across the nation.
Yoon Du-yeon, a fireworks designer at Hanwha Group's fireworks promotion team, has been working behind the scenes without a break to orchestrate the festival to perfection.
“From selecting matching songs to designing the structure of the fireworks display and creating the festival concept, I am in charge of the show from start to finish,” Yoon said.
Yoon has been in charge of the annual event since 2012 and piled up the know-how in keeping the audience intrigued. However, the process of obtaining the knowledge wasn't easy.
“Unlike laser shows, we are not able to go through test runs before the festival due to the cost: we have one shot to make it right. To better prepare, I took over 50 overseas business trips each year to check out local firework festivities and learn what type of angles and music they use,” she added.
This year's fireworks festival will celebrate its 16th anniversary under the theme “Vivid dream,” with three countries _ Spain, Canada and Korea _ scheduled to showcase tens of thousands of fireworks over the Han River.
Igniting and displaying fireworks is done in a matter of seconds, but the preparations take great effort and time.
Fireworks are packed with chemical compounds in a round pocket and how the chemicals are situated dictates the shape and size of the fireworks.
There are three typical types of fireworks, the round shape “Peony,” the drizzling fireworks called “waterfall,” and the “horsetail” shape.
“These typical types of design and the title are an international agreement. The designers look for the concept and composition among the typical forms and coordinate how to use the specific items in collaboration with other fireworks,” Yoon said.
Yoon says that most of the times fireworks are just used to highlight the end or start of a ceremony in the country, but she believes fireworks can become a part of Korea's culture in the future similar to that of Japan and Australia.
“In the near future, I believe Korea's firework festivities can become cultural attractions similar to those of Omagari Fireworks Festival in Japan, which boasts a 100-year legacy, as well as the Harbour Bridge Fireworks Festival in Sydney, which has a 70-year history,” she said.
Yoon has also coordinated fireworks for the opening and closing ceremonies of key international sporting events that Korea has hosted, including the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and the 2014 Asian Games.