Gangseo-gu Holds 'Hopeful New Year' at Gaehwasan Summit

January 1st: 5,000 Residents Expected to Participate

Gangseo-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon) will hold the ‘2025 Eulsa Year Sunrise Event’ at the summit of Gaehwasan on January 1st next year.

Sunrise viewed from Gaehwasan. Provided by Gangseo-gu.

This event is organized to pray for the health and happiness of 570,000 Gangseo residents and to announce a hopeful start for Gangseo-gu in the Eulsa year. The event begins at 6:40 AM with pre-ceremony performances including beautiful poetry recitations, lively street performances, and fusion gugak (traditional Korean music).

The main event features three rounds of ‘Daebuk Tago’ drumming to ward off misfortune and pray for health and wealth, a 3D media opening performance, New Year’s greetings and message reading by Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon, and interviews with residents about their New Year’s wishes.

Following this, the ‘Sunrise Countdown Event’ to welcome the first sunrise of the Eulsa year awaits. At the scheduled sunrise time of 7:47 AM, participants will count down together and enjoy the sunrise. A time for harmony will also be provided, where participants exchange New Year’s greetings and well-wishes.

During the event, various side activities will be held around the venue, including writing New Year’s wishes and family mottos, sending wish postcards, and taking photos at the photo zone.

The district expects about 5,000 participants for this event and plans to focus on preventing safety accidents in preparation for the large crowd. A temporary parking lot will be set up at Bangwon Middle School near Gaehwasan to encourage its use.

Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon said, “In the Eulsa year, I hope that with the radiant sunrise of Gaehwasan, the dreams and hopes of all residents will come true,” and added, “In 2025, we will do our best to make Gangseo a better place to live based on the advice and wishes of our residents.”