"Tasty Saewoo, Enjoy Saewoo, Welcome Saewoo"... The 16th Maponaru Saeujeot Festival Held

16th Mapo Naru Saeujeot Festival Held for 3 Days from 20th to 22nd at World Cup Park Peace Plaza
▲Disposable Items Banned at Food Market, Sharing Market Profits Donated to Neighbors... Established as an Eco-Friendly Sharing Festival
▲Reenactment of Old Mapo Naru Port with ‘Street Parade,’ ‘Hwangpo Sailboat Arrival,’ and ‘Market Opening Ceremony’
▲36 Programs for All Generations Including Saeujeot Kimchi Making, Health Walking Contest, and Children's Playground
▲High-Quality Domestic Famous Saeujeot Sold 10-15% Cheaper Than Market Price

Mapo Jeotgal Gakju was one of the representative names of the glory of Mapo Naru during the Joseon Dynasty. The salted seafood gathered in Mapo at that time spread not only to Chilpae (七牌, one of the markets in Seoul during the late Joseon period) but also deep inland along the Han River. The places where the salted seafood was supplied included famous shrimp-jeot production areas nationwide such as Ganggyeong, Gwangcheon, Sinan, Ganghwa, and Sorae.

Started in 2008, the ‘Mapo Naru Shrimp-Jeot Festival’ aims to modernly recreate the old glory of Mapo Naru and make it a festival enjoyed and cherished by all generations. It is also known for selling high-quality and affordable shrimp-jeot from famous production areas nationwide, making it beloved not only by Seoul citizens but also by many people preparing for kimchi-making season.

At the 15th Mapo Naru Saeujeot Festival held last year, Park Gang-su, the mayor of Mapo District, dressed as a sato and made a procession.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo District, held a briefing at 11 a.m. on the 17th at the Seoul City Hall briefing room and announced that the ‘Mapo Naru Shrimp-Jeot Festival,’ eagerly awaited by thrifty housewives preparing for kimchi-making and residents wanting to enjoy the autumn atmosphere, will be held for three days from October 20 to 22 at the Peace Plaza in World Cup Park.

Mapo District plans to open a shrimp-jeot market selling high-quality shrimp-jeot from six famous domestic production areas in the heart of the city ahead of the kimchi-making season, aiming to ease residents’ concerns amid rising prices.

Additionally, various experiential events and cultural performances for all generations?from children to teenagers to seniors?will be prepared, and the food market will use reusable containers, following the principle of ‘adding programs, removing disposables, and sharing profits’.

■ Modernization of Old Mapo Naru... A Festival Enjoyed by All Members Without Excluding Any Generation

The three-day festival begins with the ‘Mapo Naru Satto Procession’ welcoming the arrival of shrimp-jeot shipments. The street parade recreating harbor culture stretches from Mapo District Office Plaza to the Peace Plaza in World Cup Park, featuring the Satto (local magistrate), peddlers, port workers, a military band, and local residents.

To especially recreate the old Mapo Naru, an LED yellow sailboat will be floated on Nanji Pond at Peace Plaza throughout the festival, and a hands-on Mapo Naru playground will be set up with traditional crafts (such as making traditional fans) and historical board games, including Mapo Hakdang (Mapo Academy).

Experiential events themed around shrimp-jeot gathered in Mapo, such as shrimp-jeot kimchi-making, will also be operated.

The district has prepared various children’s participation programs so that the whole family can enjoy the festival. Near the waterside stage, a children’s playground with air bounces and Viking rides will be installed, and surrounding booths will offer caricatures, face painting, and magic shows. Moreover, on the 21st, a children’s soccer playground featuring Kim Heung-guk, famous for his love of soccer, and former national soccer player Jo Won-hee will be operated, promising great fun for children.

On the 7th, the ‘Red Road Hot Pocha’ installed on Hongdae Red Road will temporarily move to World Cup Park for this festival and operate as a street karaoke venue where residents can showcase their singing skills, alongside performances by the Baeho Art Troupe and Pumba performances throughout the three days.

Furthermore, this festival will also host events such as a sharing jogging competition, sharing flea market, sharing bazaar, and celebrity bazaar to promote the culture of sharing in the local community. The proceeds from the sharing market will be linked to the Mapo Welfare Foundation to support neighbors in need, adding more meaning to sharing.

Purchase of salted fermented shrimp

■ Famous Production Area Shrimp-Jeot 10~15% Cheaper Than Market Price... Thorough Origin and Quality Inspection Before Sale

Last year, about 1.7 billion KRW worth of salted seafood was sold over three days at the shrimp-jeot market, which is expected to fill residents’ shopping baskets again this year.

This festival will feature participation from eight companies from famous shrimp-jeot production areas including Ganggyeong, Gwangcheon, Boryeong, Sorae, Sinan, and Buan. Although prices vary depending on the production area and product quality, shrimp-jeot can be purchased at an average of 10~15% cheaper than market prices.

The district selected vendors through strict screening by shrimp-jeot experts, recommended by the respective local governments, to ensure the supply of high-quality shrimp-jeot. In particular, to ensure consumer food safety, a thorough inspection process of origin and quality will be conducted before sales, along with resident satisfaction surveys, aiming to solidify its position as Korea’s representative shrimp-jeot market.

Additionally, 20 specialty product markets from regions partnered with Mapo District?including Gochang County in Jeonbuk, Yecheon County in Gyeongbuk, Sinan County in Jeonnam, Cheongyang County in Chungnam, and Namhae County in Gyeongnam?will also be operated so that residents can purchase high-quality agricultural and specialty products at affordable prices.

Hwangto Dotbae Arrival Reenactment Ceremony

■ Complete Ban on Disposable Products! Use of Reusable Containers at Food Market to Reduce Volume-Based Waste

Waste reduction to oppose the construction of a new incineration plant will not be an exception during the festival period.

Previously, the food market sold food using disposable products to increase turnover due to the large number of visitors. However, this year, due to issues such as increased waste and environmental pollution, reusable containers will be used instead of disposables.

According to the district, not only plates and cups but also spoons and chopsticks will be prepared as reusable items. Used reusable containers will be collected through bins installed at the event site and will undergo cleaning and sterilization by a professional company to be reused the next day.

The district plans to reduce disposable waste generated at the event by more than 90% compared to last year, aiming to develop the Shrimp-Jeot Festival into a truly eco-friendly festival.

Also, to prevent exploitative pricing practices recently reported in local festivals, the district will conduct prior price surveys on food at the food market to ensure visitors can enjoy local food at reasonable prices.

Press Conference by Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo District

■ Park Seo-jin, Tae Jin-ah, Shin Sung, Norazo... Festival Ends with Famous Singers’ Performances Every Evening

Every evening, various performances featuring famous singers will be held on the special stage at Peace Plaza.

On the first day of the festival, October 20, at 7 p.m., the ‘Good Concert with D’Live’ will feature Nabi, Ahn So-mi, Norazo, Park Kang-sung, and others. On the following day, October 21, at the same time, national singers Tae Jin-ah, Kang Jin, and Yoo Ji-na will perform to celebrate ‘TV Chosun Singing Korea.’ On the final day of the festival, the shrimp-jeot festival closing performance ‘TBS eFM Son Tae-jin’s Sweet Rendezvous’ will feature Son Tae-jin, Enok, and Byun Jin-sub. Afterwards, Janggu master Park Seo-jin will conclude the ‘Mapo Naru Shrimp-Jeot Festival’ with fireworks.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo District, said, “At this year’s ‘Mapo Naru Shrimp-Jeot Festival,’ we decided to use only reusable tableware at the food market to reduce indiscriminate use of disposable products and lead waste reduction efforts in Mapo District. As the number of visitors to the festival increases year by year, we will pay special attention to maintaining order and managing facilities to ensure a safe festival for all residents, young and old.”