Gumi City Emerges as the Largest Cultural Festival Hub in Daegu and North Gyeongsang

K-POP Concert on October 31, Ramen Festival in November
"Lunch at the Food Fest, Evening at the Hip-Hop Fest": Over 10 Events Held Simultaneously
From a "No-Fun" City to a City Full of Excitement
250,000 Gather for Weekend Festivals

Gumi City in North Gyeongsang Province (Mayor Kim Jangho) simultaneously held more than 10 previously separate events, drawing a total crowd of about 250,000 people (including overlapping counts) over two days, October 18 and 19, transforming the entire city into a "giant festival venue to enjoy all day long."

Visitors could have lunch at the Food Festival and then watch a hip-hop performance at Dongrak Park in the evening.

The anticipation for this integrated festival was also evident in the data.

According to a keyword search analysis by a private big data platform, over the past month (from September 17 to October 17), searches related to "Gumi Festival" accounted for 30% of the approximately 50,000 total searches related to "Gumi."

At the hip-hop festival, Mayor Kim Joungho of Gumi City delivers a greeting and interacts with young people. Photo by Kim Ewhan

The entire 1.5-kilometer stretch of Songjeong Matgil, where the Gumi Food Festival was held, was filled with delicious aromas and people, attracting about 200,000 visitors over two days.

This year, the event expanded beyond a simple food fair to become a local food-centered festival under the theme "The Nine Flavors of Gumi."

Of the total 74 booths, 65% (48 booths) featured menus using agricultural and livestock products from Gumi.

In particular, bakery products made with the local brand "Gumi Wheat Flour" were so popular that the two-day supply (over 200 kilograms of flour) sold out on the first day alone. Newly established themed zones, such as the Makgeolli Zone and the Asian Cuisine Zone, also saw long lines every day.

Visitors who enjoyed the Food Festival continued on to nearby restaurants and other festival venues throughout the city center.

Starting around 3 p.m., the "Gumi Youth Hip-Hop Festival" heated up the Dongrak Park area with the passion of the younger generation.

Building on the enthusiastic response from its inaugural event last year, this year the festival was moved from a weekday to the weekend, and the performance time was extended by more than two hours, increasing both the scale and content.

Admission to the event was free on a first-come, first-served basis, attracting a total of 20,000 visitors. Foreign audience members from Japan, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, and other countries attended, and 30% of the total audience were from outside the city, proving that Gumi is an attractive city not only for young people but also for international visitors.

While food and music energized the city center, the scent of books welcomed visitors elsewhere.

The "Reading Culture Festival," symbolizing Gumi as a "city that reads," was held on a larger scale this year, expanding to the Central Library and the surrounding Hyeonggok Neighborhood Park.

The book talk sessions with famous authors sold out within one minute of opening for advance reservations, and the number of experience booths increased by 20 from last year to a total of 65, leading to long lines and a high level of participation.

Throughout the park, busking performances, a book market, and a reading camping zone created a space for relaxation blending books, music, and leisure.

Despite running more than 10 festivals simultaneously, Gumi City safely concluded the events without any major incidents, further emphasizing the significance of a "city festival created together by citizens."

The city plans to continue this festive atmosphere through the end of the year. New festivals will be held every weekend in various parts of the city, including the "K-POP Concert" on October 31 and the "Ramen Festival" from November 7 to 9.

Mayor Kim Jangho stated, "The time visitors spend here directly translates into the city's vitality. We will prepare a variety of content linked to the Daegyeong Line to attract even more tourists to Gumi."

Many crowds are enjoying themselves at the hip-hop festival venue. Photo by Kim Ihwan