100 Billion Won Free Fireworks Festival Approaching... Not All Fireworks Are the Same? [Gunggeumjeung Research Center]

Hanwha's fireworks displayed at the 2022 Seoul International Fireworks Festival in collaboration with Hanwha
[Photo by Hanwha]

The 'Seoul International Fireworks Festival 2024 with Hanwha' will be held on the 5th at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul. It started in 2000 and this year marks its 24th edition. Over 1 million people have participated annually, so this year will likely see even more. At least 100,000 fireworks will be launched during the festival, with total costs approaching 10 billion KRW. Such an event is held every October and can be enjoyed 99% for free. The 99% means that this year, 2,500 paid seats (165,000 KRW including tax) will be available. This is due to safety concerns, and the ticket revenue will be used to hire additional professional safety personnel to ensure thorough safety preparations.

Hanwha's fireworks showcased at the 2023 Seoul World Fireworks Festival in collaboration with Hanwha
[Photo by Hanwha]

◆Didn’t know Hanwha came from Korea Explosives?

Hanwha is an abbreviation of Korea Explosives. The group's origin traces back to Hyunam Kim Jong-hee (1922?1981), the founder who established Korea Explosives Co., Ltd. in 1952. Hyunam was born on November 12, 1922, in Budaeri, Cheonan-myeon, Cheonan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do. Although Hyunam was exceptionally studious enough to attend the prestigious Gyeonggi Provincial Commercial School in Seoul, difficult family circumstances led him to connect with Joseon Explosives Trading Company. Recognizing the importance of industrial explosives for rebuilding the barren economy, Hyunam founded Korea Explosives Co., Ltd., the predecessor of today's Hanwha Group, in Busan in 1952 at the age of 30.

Starting with the acquisition of Joseon Explosives Trading Company in 1952, and the renovation and reconstruction of Incheon Explosives Factory in 1955, the foundation for domestic production of explosives was laid. Ultimately, through relentless determination, the first domestic production of dynamite was achieved, earning him the honorable titles of 'Korea's Nobel' and 'Dynamite Kim.' Since beginning the fireworks business in 1964, Hanwha has been responsible for various commemorative fireworks festivals. They then envisioned a new genre of 'fireworks shows' by integrating fireworks with lighting, lasers, and video multimedia, pioneering this field domestically. Adding storytelling, they are regarded as leading a new concept of performance culture. The reason the festival is held in October is known to be because Korea Explosives was founded on October 28.

Fireworks by Hanwha Co., Ltd. showcased at the 2023 Seoul World Fireworks Festival in partnership with Hanwha [Photo by Hanwha]

◆How do dangerous explosives create fireworks?

How are fireworks made? According to a summary by Hanwha Fireworks Research Institute in September 2016, the 'black powder' that composes fireworks consists of potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal. When these are combined, black powder is created that can ignite and explode instantly. This black powder is the main raw material used to launch and ignite fireworks stars in the sky, creating the fireworks display.

[Image source=Hanwha]

The process where substances combine with oxygen to produce light, heat, and flames is called a 'combustion reaction.' However, some substances produce flames of different colors during combustion, known as a 'flame reaction.' Metals such as aluminum, sodium, and potassium burn with characteristic colors in flame reactions, forming the 'stars' that create the shape and color of fireworks.

So how do these work together to produce beautiful fireworks? Black powder and stars are combined into pyrotechnic products called 'fireworks shells,' which are launched into the sky. When fireworks are launched through mortars, the shells are fired at specific directions and angles. The explosion is delayed until the shells reach a predetermined altitude, at which point the fuse ignites. At the designated time and location, the black powder explodes, and the stars undergo flame reactions, creating a spectacular display of colorful fireworks decorating the sky.

Officials working on a barge for the fireworks festival [Image captured from Hanwha Group YouTube]

◆Not all fireworks are the same?

There are three main types of fireworks: aerial fireworks, device fireworks, and Niagara fireworks. Each type is launched in different shapes and forms during the fireworks program. Aerial fireworks are launched using mortars to a certain altitude where they bloom. The altitude and bloom diameter vary depending on the size of the firework, and the color and shape of the bloom are determined by the composition and combination of the internal firework materials.

Device fireworks include cakes, comets, mines, and fountain fireworks. Cake fireworks are lower altitude and smaller caliber than aerial fireworks, expressed in counts such as 10 shots, 50 shots, or 100 shots depending on the number of launch tubes, and various forms are produced depending on the fireworks loaded in the tubes. Fountain fireworks are small fireworks mainly used on stages, emitting silver sparks in a fountain shape through nozzles.

Niagara fireworks are rod-shaped fireworks loaded with materials that emit silver sparks. When arranged at regular intervals and ignited, they create a waterfall-like effect as the sparks flow downward like a cascade.

[Image source=Hanwha]

The fireworks festival features teams from three countries including Korea, the United States, and Japan, with Japan and the U.S. performing first and the Korean team (Hanwha) closing the event. This year, Hanwha will present the largest fireworks display ever under the theme 'Flashlight,' conveying a hopeful message celebrating 'our brightest moments shining like a flash.' The show will feature a variety of music genres from classical and pop to K-pop.