Festival Praised for Blending Wellness and Healing
The Jeongeup Cherry Blossom Festival 2025, held from the 4th to the 6th at Jeongeupcheon and Beotkkot-ro in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, successfully concluded with 150,000 visitors in attendance.
According to the city on the 8th, this year’s festival was organized under the slogan “Romantic Cherry Blossoms, Romantic Jeongeup,” actively reflecting the recent tourism trend of “wellness,” and was designed to allow visitors to experience rest, comfort, and romance amid beautiful natural scenery.
Jeongeup City successfully concluded the "2025 Jeongeup Cherry Blossom Festival," held from the 4th to the 6th along Jeongeupcheon Stream and Cherry Blossom Road, attracting 150,000 visitors. Photo by Jeongeup City
Despite the festive atmosphere, the city took into account the somber national mood caused by large-scale wildfires across the country by canceling the Jeongeup Municipal Nongak Troupe’s performance and holding a moment of silence for the victims during the opening ceremony. Throughout the event, hosts delivered messages of consolation to disaster victims and their families.
The festival was praised for revitalizing the local economy and blending wellness and healing. Snack booths and 20 food trucks, along with five local agricultural product stalls set up throughout the venue, recorded total sales of about 180 million won during the festival, providing significant support to local small business owners.
Nearby restaurants and cafes were also bustling with tourists every day, regaining their vibrancy after a long time.
The plogging program, which considered both environmental and health aspects, saw far more citizens and tourists participate voluntarily than expected, demonstrating coexistence with nature through the act of picking up litter.
The popularity of wellness programs was also notable. Activities for mind and body relaxation, such as flower tea meditation, yoga, and singing bowls, as well as a campaign to promote adoption of lost and abandoned animals, attracted visitors of all ages. A special booth featuring Jeongeup’s signature healing food, Jihwang, also received a positive response.
Performance programs further heightened the festival’s excitement. Stages featuring Hwang Garam, who is currently enjoying great popularity, as well as singers Kim Yongim and Sunwoo Hyekyung, who are highly supported in Jeongeup, drew enthusiastic cheers from the audience. Performances by local lifestyle and arts clubs also captivated visitors with their high-quality acts.
Mr. Kang from Jeonju, who visited the festival, said, “The cherry blossoms were at their peak, making the scenery wonderful, and the variety of food and experience programs meant I wasn’t bored even after spending the whole day here. I definitely want to come again next year.”
Mayor Lee Haksoo said, “The cherry blossoms were in full bloom during the festival, and the diverse programs we prepared blended well, which seemed to attract even more people. Although the festival is over, if there is no heavy rain or strong wind this weekend, visitors will be able to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms until as late as the middle of next week. I hope many people will come and enjoy the cherry blossoms safely.”
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