Seongdong-gu to Host the '2024 Dumopo Musical Festival'

A Midsummer Night Festival Delivering a Message of Inclusion at Hangang Park near Oksu Station, Where the Dumopo Expedition Ceremony Was Held Over 600 Years Ago on the 22nd... Featuring a Military Band Performance, Musical Gala Show, Dumopo Light Exhibition, Various Interactive Events, and Food... From June 15 to 22, Photo Zones with Festival Logo Lighting and Panokseon Model Structures Displayed Under Oksu Station

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jung Won-oh) will hold the midsummer night musical festival “2024 Dumopo Musical Festival” on the 22nd of this month at Oksoo Station Hangang Park, delivering a message of harmony and inclusion with the residents.

Under the subtitle “Knock, Gather, Embrace,” this festival is set against the backdrop of “Dumopo,” a Joseon Dynasty port located in the Oksoo-dong area. In the first year of King Sejong’s reign (1419), King Taejong, the retired king, and King Sejong traveled to Dumopo to order the conquest of Tsushima Island, the base of the Wako pirates who troubled the people. The grand “Tsushima Expedition Ceremony,” where King Sejong personally poured drinks for eight generals including General Lee Jong-mu and distributed bows and arrows to the soldiers, was magnificently held here at Dumopo.

The “2024 Dumopo Musical Festival” draws on the historical fact of the “Dumopo Expedition,” which led the conquest of Tsushima Island, and offers a rich variety of performances including a military band expedition parade, media percussion performances, and a musical gala show.

The festival will open with the “Military Band Expedition Parade” and a “Media Percussion Performance” featuring dazzling performances on a large LED screen, grandly reenacting the expedition ceremony from over 600 years ago to heighten anticipation for the festival.

Following this, a “Musical Gala Show” will be presented, reconstructing famous musical songs based on the historical fact of the Dumopo expedition, providing a stage for intergenerational communication.

The performance features trusted musical actors known for their resonant vocals, outstanding visuals, and delicate acting, including Min Woo-hyuk, musical actress Jung Sun-ah who won the “2024 Brand Customer Loyalty” award in the female musical actress category for her unique presence, crossover baritone and musical actor couple Ahn Gap-sung and Kim Min-joo who draw public acclaim, musical actors Park Yoo-gyeom and Yoon Ji-in who handle a wide range of musical repertoires with solid vocal skills, and more. The festival will also showcase a splendid and energetic stage with the country’s top music director Kim Eun-hye, an ensemble of child actors, and the band session Korea Modern Phil Ensemble.

Prior to the main event, side events to boost the festival atmosphere will include busking performances, a flea market selling various crafts, caricature drawing, face painting, and other experiential activities. Notably, this year’s festival will expand the market area within the venue, selling more than 10 types of various food and beverages, creating a lively festival atmosphere where music and food come together.

Additionally, from June 15 to 22, logo landscape lighting, festival title structures, and a model of the Panokseon warship will be exhibited under Oksoo Station, creating SNS photo zones for social media certification shots and providing various attractions for citizens.

Seongdong-gu, which held the first festival in 2019 to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the “Dumopo Expedition,” plans to continue preserving the tradition and culture of this historically rich site with the residents through various cultural performances, as the historical fact of overcoming hardships with high spirits and strong cheers took place at the old Joseon Dynasty ferry port “Dumopo” located in the current Oksoo Station Hangang area.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “Dumopo, where the victorious history was made over 600 years ago, is a historical artifact and a place of conviction that we must protect. I hope everyone will have a time like ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at this meaningful festival, which is held to reflect on the significant history and embrace one another.”