Seoul's autumn night embroidered with hundreds of lanterns

The Seoul Lantern Festival kicked off at Cheonggye Stream last Friday, through Nov. 18. / Yonhap

Annual lantern fest to continue through Nov. 18

By Kang Seung-woo

Seoul Lantern Festival, one of the iconic events of the capital city, has returned to light up Cheonggye Stream and its surroundings with themed lanterns and lighted displays.

The 10th edition of the annual event began its 17-day run, Nov. 2, under the theme of “Seoul Dream, Following Light.”

The lantern event, launched in 2009 to promote tourism, culture and arts ahead of the 201-2012 Visit Korea Years, has established itself as the nation's busiest lantern festival, receiving more than 2.5 million visitors from across the country and around the world each year.

“It is deeply impressive as this year marks the 10th anniversary of Seoul Lantern Festival. It has successfully run for 10 years mainly thanks to the interest and support shown by Seoul citizens,” Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon said during the opening ceremony, Friday.

Seoul Tourism Organization President Rhee Jae-sung also said, “We are set to make efforts to renew and differentiate the lantern festival every year to draw more spectators.”

The festival takes place along the 1.2-kilometer Cheonggye Stream starting from Cheonggye Plaza to Supyo Bridge and runs every evening from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

This year's fest is decorated with 400 lanterns ― 303 of which are newly manufactured.

According to the organizing committee, this year's festival is divided and displayed under four different themes: “The Launch Point for a New Dream,” “Seoul's Dream for the Future,” “Seoul's Shining Memories” and “Seoul Filled with Traditions.”

The festival takes place along the 1.2-kilometer Cheonggye Stream starting from Cheonggye Plaza to Supyo Bridge and runs every evening from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. / Yonhap

The “Seoul's Dream for the Future” lighting displays features a delivery drone and virtual reality experiences, while the “Seoul's Shining Memories” section displays N Seoul Tower, Jongno Tram and youth culture in the 1970s to 1980s as well as animation characters such as Robot Taekwon V and Larva.

Finally, “Seoul Filled with Traditions” shows the lives and cultures of the royal family and the people of the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom through light displays such as Jongmyo Jeryeak, the ritual music played in ceremonies at two shrines dedicated to the 19 Joseon kings, and Namsadangpae, a Korean itinerant troupe.

“This year's festival will be an occasion to look back and start anew,” a Seoul city official said.

“If people join the time travel along the path of light and look at the lanterns, they will see the dreams of people from all times.”

In addition, there are also a variety of programs lined up such as sending up wish lanterns, making traditional lanterns and participating in social media events.

Plus, the festival operates a docent program, which provides explanation on displays in each section in Korean and English through a smartphone app.