A Medical Culture Festival
Blending AI and Korean Medicine
The 2025 Heo Jun Festival, hosted by Gangseo District in Seoul (Mayor Jin Kyohun), once again proved its reputation as the region's representative festival. Over the two days of October 18 and 19, the festival was held around Seoul Botanic Park, Magok Square, and Magoknaru Station, drawing a record-breaking crowd of approximately 180,000 visitors from across the country.
Jin Kyohun, the mayor of Gangseo District, dressed as Heo Jun the physician, is drawing a circle and performing Ganggangsullae with children at the 23rd Heo Jun Festival. Provided by Gangseo District.
This year’s festival focused on the fusion of traditional medicine and advanced technology. More than 80 programs were offered, including the “Medical Health Experience Zone” and the “Heo Jun Donguibogam Zone.” Visitors enjoyed both AI-based health diagnostics and hands-on experiences with traditional Korean acupuncture and Chuna manual therapy. During the opening ceremony, a video of Heo Jun restored with artificial intelligence and a 3D hologram performance received an enthusiastic response.
Participatory programs such as K-POP diet dance, the “Heo! Junior Contest,” and the “Heo Jun Squid Game” were held on the lawn of Seoul Botanic Park and throughout the Magok area. In particular, the “Heo Jun Gala Parade,” featuring residents and children dressed in Joseon Dynasty costumes, was highlighted as one of the festival’s most memorable scenes. Mayor Jin Kyohun also joined the parade, dressed as the royal physician Heo Jun.
The food zone and street performance areas were bustling throughout the event. A wide range of performances took place, and food prices were set at 10,000 won or less, avoiding any controversy over inflated prices. The “Heo Jun Concert,” featuring Kim Heejae, K.Will, Kim Wansun, and Seol Hayoon, as well as broadcaster Kim Hyuncheol’s “Hyunmae Orchestra” performance, were also major hits.
The Heo Jun Festival has continued to grow each year by adding new content, and this year, by combining the value of traditional medicine with cutting-edge technology, it firmly established its identity as a “medical health and culture festival.”
Jin Kyohun, Mayor of Gangseo District, stated, “We will carry on Heo Jun’s spirit of caring for the people and the historical value of Donguibogam, and by expanding our cultural content, we will develop the Heo Jun Festival into a truly unique medical health and culture festival.”
The Heo Jun Festival, a representative festival of Gangseo-gu, was held on the 18th and 19th around Seoul Botanical Garden and Magok Square. The 220-meter, 7-lane road in front of exits 3 to 6 of Magoknaru Station is filled with crowds. Provided by Gangseo-gu.
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