Myeongnyang Battle Festival to Be Held in Haenam and Jindo
A Leading Maritime Festival Honoring the Spirit of National Defense
Moving Stage Shaped Like a Panokseon Warship
Digital Action Drama of the Myeongnyang Naval Battle to Be Showcased
From the 19th to the 21st, the 2025 Myeongnyang Battle Festival will be held for three days at Haenam Usuyeong Tourist Site and Jindo Nokjin Tourist Site. The photo shows an example of the theme performance at the opening ceremony of the Myeongnyang Battle Festival (Digital Action Drama Naval Battle). Provided by Jeonnam Province.
Jeollanam-do Province announced that the 2025 Myeongnyang Battle Festival will be held in grand fashion from the 19th to the 21st over three days at Haenam Usuyeong Tourist Site and Jindo Nokjin Tourist Site.
The Myeongnyang Battle Festival is a historical and cultural event commemorating the great victory of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, who, at the height of crisis during the Japanese invasions of 1597, defended Joseon with just 13 ships against 133 Japanese warships on September 16, 1597.
Celebrating its 17th anniversary this year, the festival will differ from previous years by moving its main stage to the Sullae Madang at Haenam Usuyeong Tourist Site, allowing visitors to enjoy the festivities in a larger and safer space.
At the opening ceremony on the 19th, the theme performance will vividly recreate the miracle of the Myeongnyang Battle, where Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the Joseon navy, and the people of Honam joined forces to achieve a world-renowned naval victory. This aims to showcase the historical and maritime cultural strength of Jeollanam-do both domestically and internationally.
In particular, the main stage will feature Korea’s first-ever moving stage in the shape of a panokseon (Korean warship), and on the 20th and 21st, two digital action drama performances themed on the Myeongnyang Naval Battle will be presented.
Using Korea’s largest rotating lift, as well as fire cannons, fireworks, and line rockets, the festival will spectacularly depict the Myeongnyang Naval Battle through media, delivering a thrilling experience to the audience. At the end of the performance, K-pop diva Sohyang will appear to move the audience with the theme song of K-Pop Demon Hunters and more.
At the specially prepared 'Myeongnyang Hunters' booth, a variety of experience programs combining Jeonnam tourism and modern content will be offered. In collaboration with the Gangjin Korean Folk Painting Museum, there will be sales and experience events for Hojakdo goods, and the Joseon Navy Boys costume experience, where visitors can try on the hats and clothes of the Joseon navy, will provide a unique blend of tradition and modernity.
Key programs by schedule include the 'Grand Departure Parade' on the 19th at Jindo Bridge, featuring more than 1,200 participants such as the Navy Band, Coast Guard Traditional Band, United Pungmul Troupe, Gatekeepers, residents from 21 towns and villages in Haenam and Jindo, and international tourists. In Jindo, the 'Procession of Peace' will honor the spirits of fallen patriots and volunteer soldiers.
To ensure that youth and families can enjoy the festival together, youth drawing and writing contests will be held in Haenam and Jindo, and on the 20th, the Haenam stage will feature a K-pop random dance and Myeongnyang dance performance, while the Jindo stage will host preliminary rounds of youth singing and dance competitions.
On the 21st, the main stage in Haenam will host the National Youth Trot Song Festival (featuring trot prodigy Kim Taeyeon), and the Jindo Victory Stage will heat up the final day with the Myeongnyang Trot! Hanmadang event (featuring Kim Heejae).
Every day during the festival, a large-scale Navy & Coast Guard warship parade will take place over the Uldolmok Sea, offering a grand and unique scene against the backdrop of the historic Myeongnyang Battle site, which left a lasting mark in global naval history.
In addition, more than 60 experience and performance programs will be available, including a special performance by the Fujian Province Art Troupe from China, Ganggangsullae, Ogugut and Ssitgimgut shamanistic rituals, bubble shows and fire dance, Uldolmok fireworks show, K-busking, traditional crafts and Yi Sun-sin’s Table experience, as well as VR and AR Myeongnyang Naval Battle experiences.
Yoo Hyunho, Director of Tourism and Sports for Jeollanam-do Province, stated, "The Myeongnyang Battle Festival is not just an event to enjoy, but a precious festival that honors the great victory of our ancestors and passes down their spirit to future generations." He added, "I hope many people will participate in the 2025 Myeongnyang Battle Festival held at Uldolmok in Haenam and Jindo, and personally experience the inspiration and patriotic spirit of the Myeongnyang Battle revived at Uldolmok."
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