20,000 Visitors Enjoyed Traditional Experiences by Day,
Romantic Music Filled the Beach by Night
Gijang-gun (Governor Jung Jongbok) held the 27th Gijang Gaetmaeul Festival and the 21st Ilgwang Romantic Song Festival over four days from July 31 to August 3 at Ilgwang Beach.
This year, the two events were held together during the same period on a trial basis, rather than being spaced one to two weeks apart as in previous years. This provided visitors with an even richer array of attractions and activities, resulting in a highly positive response compared to previous years.
During the festival, approximately 20,000 visitors came to Ilgwang Beach to enjoy both swimming and the festivities. Thanks to a variety of programs and performances, families in particular were able to enjoy the refreshing summer atmosphere of Gijang's seaside.
During the day, a range of activities allowed participants to experience Ilgwang's local culture firsthand, including pulling a traditional fishing net, hands-on fish catching, and an underwater treasure hunt. At night, the Romantic Song Festival was the centerpiece of a series of diverse performances that filled Ilgwang Beach, turning the night sea into a romantic spectacle.
Visitors are enjoying hands-on activities at the Gijang Gaetmaeul Festival. Courtesy of Gijang County
On the festival's opening day, July 31, events included a Seonghwangje ritual, a Gilnori parade, a magic show by Choi Hyunwoo wishing for the success of the National (Disabled) Sports Festival, and a Korean traditional music concert themed around Gaetmaeul. These activities helped to raise the festival atmosphere to its peak. In addition, side screens were installed next to the stage so that all visitors to Ilgwang Beach could enjoy the festivities, even if they were not directly in front of the stage. This not only increased the excitement but also significantly reduced the risks associated with crowding near the stage.
This year marked the 60th anniversary of the release of the film "Gaetmaeul." With support from the Jeonggwan Museum, a "Hurimak" anchovy processing warehouse featured in the film was recreated. There were also exhibitions of past and present haenyeo (female diver) outfits and a photo exhibition, creating a unique space where visitors could experience both the past and present of Ilgwang Beach, drawing much attention from festivalgoers.
The festival concluded with a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the night sky over Ilgwang, filling the closing moments with the beauty of fireworks and easing the sadness of the festival's end.
Governor Jung Jongbok stated, "I am relieved that we were able to successfully complete the festival without any major incidents despite the nationwide heatwave. I sincerely thank everyone who braved the heat to join us at the festival. Having done our utmost to prepare, I felt greatly rewarded seeing our visitors enjoying themselves." He added, "We will carefully review and improve any shortcomings to create an even better festival each year."
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