"Even Over 160,000 Won, People Buy" Tips to Secure Prime Spots for the 'World Fireworks Festival' Opening on the 5th [AK Radio]

All 2,500 Paid Seats Sold Out
Traffic Control Around Area After 2 PM on the 5th

The Seoul International Fireworks Festival will spectacularly unfold at Yeouido Hangang Park on the 5th. Marking its 23rd edition this year, the festival features participation from three countries?Korea, Japan, and the United States?each showcasing their unique fireworks displays. Lighting up the autumn nights annually and drawing many visitors to Yeouido, this festival has been hosted by Hanwha Group since 2000 as part of its social contribution activities and has established itself as Korea’s representative fireworks festival.

"A Night Painted by Fireworks on the Hangang: Best Viewing Spots, Transportation, and Safety Tips"

The official fireworks festival event kicks off at 7 PM with an opening ceremony, marking the start of the main show. The fireworks performances proceed in the order of Japan, the United States, and Korea. Japan and the U.S. each present 15-minute fireworks performances, followed by Korea’s 30-minute highlight segment. The dazzling spectacle of fireworks, decorated with various themes and colors, will beautifully illuminate the autumn night along the Hangang River, and spectators eagerly anticipate the fantastic scenes created by each country’s fireworks.

While the festival itself is a major attraction every autumn for Seoul citizens and tourists alike, watching the fireworks from prime viewing spots offers an even more special experience. The top viewing spot selected by the organizers is the ‘Golden Ticket Seats’ located at the south end of Wonhyo Bridge. These seats face directly toward the barge launching the fireworks and the event stage, making them the optimal location for viewing. Unfortunately, all Golden Ticket Seats have already been allocated through the organizer’s events, and the 2,500 paid seats sold at 165,000 KRW each are also sold out. These seats have been highly sought after as perfect places to enjoy the festival.

However, beyond the Golden Ticket Seats, there are many free prime viewing spots scattered throughout Yeouido Hangang Park where numerous people can enjoy the festival. Among them, the ‘Multi Plaza’ within Yeouido Hangang Park is known for its wide lawn and various event booths, making it a great location to watch the fireworks. Additionally, Ichon Hangang Park across the river offers a unique vantage point to view Yeouido’s fireworks from the opposite side. Visitors enjoy the fireworks along with the night view of the Hangang River from this spot. Since these prime spots are free and expected to attract large crowds, securing a place early is important.

Moreover, high-rise hotels around Yeouido are also popular special locations for viewing the fireworks. Hotels such as Conrad Seoul, Glad Yeouido, and Fairmont Ambassador Seoul in Yeouido offer special package deals during the fireworks festival season. These promotions provide rooms with views of the fireworks and include special perks like wine and cheese plates. However, hotel room reservations on the day of the fireworks festival are extremely competitive, making early booking essential to secure a room.

"A Guide to the Seoul International Fireworks Festival: A Spectacle Decorating the Hangang"

In addition to these official prime spots, recently, residents of older apartments along the Hangang River have been renting out their homes as spaces to watch the fireworks. For example, transactions through secondhand trading apps like Danggeun Market are active, allowing people to rent living rooms or kitchens to enjoy the fireworks. Some apartments offer viewing spaces for several hundred thousand KRW per person, sometimes including simple refreshments like wine and cheese. However, as these transactions increase, issues such as resident access control and parking problems have become frequent, leading some apartment complexes to strictly restrict external vehicle entry.

Choosing a viewing location is crucial for the fireworks festival, but transportation conditions must also be considered. Yeouido is expected to be congested with hundreds of thousands of visitors on the festival day. Specifically, from 2 PM to 10 PM on the 5th, the section from the south end of Mapo Bridge to in front of the 63 Building will be fully closed, and Olympic-daero and Nodeul-gil roads may also be blocked depending on the situation. With limited parking and the temporary closure of Yeouido Hangang Park parking lots, the organizers strongly recommend using public transportation. Using nearby subway stations such as Yeouinaru Station, Yeouido Station, and Singil Station is best, but visitors should be aware that during some peak times, trains may pass through stations without stopping.

For those unable to visit the fireworks site in person, Hanwha Group will live-stream the fireworks show on its YouTube channel ‘Hanwha TV.’ This live broadcast offers a great way to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the fireworks comfortably from home, and using an application that plays music synchronized with the fireworks can provide an even more immersive viewing experience.

The fireworks festival offers more than just watching fireworks. Starting at 1 PM on the festival day, various citizen participation programs take place, allowing visitors to feel the festival atmosphere in advance. People can spread out mats on the lawn and enjoy sharing food together with foreigners and locals alike. After the fireworks show ends, there is an event where music is played like in a club, helping the crowd disperse naturally and allowing visitors to enjoy the festival more leisurely.

Finally, attention to safety and waste management during the fireworks festival is essential. With over one million people expected to attend, many police officers and safety personnel will be deployed to prevent accidents. However, personal safety awareness is the most important. Since access points to Hangang Park are limited, large crowds can pose risks of accidents, so visitors must be cautious. Additionally, leftover trash after the festival has been a recurring issue, and citizens are expected to take responsibility by cleaning up and properly disposing of waste.

The Seoul International Fireworks Festival, held annually against the backdrop of the Hangang River, has provided many people with special memories. Although large crowds are expected on the festival day, using public transportation, paying attention to safety, and fulfilling civic responsibilities will ensure everyone can create joyful memories.

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