Yongsan Haebangchon, the First Neighborhood Below Namsan, Hosts 'Yongsin Haebang Festival'

Slogan ‘Liberation! The Road Opens’ … June 8-11, around Sinheung Market in Haebangchon

Selected for the 2023 Local Commercial District Revitalization Project by Seoul City, Secured 50 Million KRW Budget

Concept: ‘A Festival Celebrating the Opening of Liberation Road, the Ascension of the Dragon Spirit, and Wishing Peace for All’

Attractions include Yongoreum Concert, Haebang Dance Party, Walking Flash Mob

Enjoyable Events include Yeouiju Stamp Tour, Heung Market (Flea Market), Haebang Road Run

Mutual Growth of Sinheung Market and Haebangchon Commercial Districts Expected to Strengthen and Revitalize Alleyway Commerce

Walking along Exit 2 of Noksapyeong Station on Subway Line 6, you will encounter Haebangchon, the first neighborhood under Namsan Mountain. It has been a place of liberation and a home for refugees after the Korean War, and a neighborhood that has witnessed the rise and fall of manufacturing industries. It flourished in the 1960s and 1970s but faced decline through the 1990s. In the 2000s, young artists gathered here, and unique shops gradually increased, bringing new vitality.

In Haebangchon, under the slogan ‘Liberation! The Road Opens,’ the ‘Yongsin Liberation Festival’ will be held for four days from June 8 to 11.

This festival was planned to revitalize the Haebangchon and Sinheung Market commercial districts, which had slowed down due to COVID-19 and other factors. It is hosted by the Sinheung Market Merchants’ Committee and supported by Seoul City and Yongsan District Office. It was selected for Seoul City’s ‘2023 Local Commercial District Revitalization Project’ and secured a budget of 50 million KRW.

The festival’s concept is ‘a celebration of the day when the Dragon Spirit liberates and ascends to the sky, wishing peace for all,’ adding a retro vibe to Haebangchon and Sinheung Market.

At 6 PM on June 8, the festival begins with the Yongsin Liberation Street Parade, calling together the Dragon Spirits of Haebangchon. This is followed by an opening declaration, a ritual prayer called Binari, and a Pungmul (traditional Korean percussion) performance. After four days of events, the festival concludes with a closing performance and the Yongsin Liberation Gut ritual at 5:30 PM on June 11.

Unique programs to watch during the festival include the ▲Yongoreum Concert ▲Haebang Dance Party ▲Walking Flash Mob.

The Yongoreum Concert is a cultural content that highlights the rooftop caf? cluster around Sinheung Market. It will be held eight times at Sinheung Market Plaza and other locations during the event. On June 9 and 10, at 7 PM, the social dance community will participate twice to present the Haebang Dance Party.

On June 10 at 5 PM and 6:30 PM, the Walking Flash Mob ‘Yongsin’s Jisinbalgi’ (ritual to step on evil spirits) will take place. Actors wearing various dragon masks will roam around Sinheung Market and Haebang Road, attracting public attention.

Side events include the ▲Heung Market (Sinheung Market rooftop / June 10 from 12 PM to 8 PM, June 11 from 12 PM to 5 PM) and the Yeouiju Stamp Tour. Starting at 8 PM on June 9, the Haebang Road Run will be held, where 40 members of a running club will run a 4.2 km course including the Haebangchon and Sinheung Market areas.

Kim Seonsu, Acting Mayor of Yongsan District, said, “This festival, voluntarily prepared by merchants, will be an opportunity to strengthen bonds among them and enhance the self-sustaining power of alleyway commerce. We hope many tourists will visit the festival site.”