Donghae City to Host "Saturday Night Live, Baran Encore" at Balhan District Public Parking Lot

Balhan District Urban Regeneration Festival Returns by Popular Demand
Osam Bulgogi and AI Experience at Gallery Baran Public Parking Lot on the 8th

Donghae City in Gangwon Province announced on November 6 that it will host a special event for local commercial district revitalization, titled "Saturday Night Osam, Baran Encore!", as part of the Balhan District Urban Regeneration Project. The event will take place at the public parking lot near Gallery Baran from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on November 8.

'Saturday Night Live, Baran Encore' poster. Provided by Donghae City

Donghae City prepared this encore event in response to requests from previous participants, following the successful completion of two festivals held in June as part of the Balhan District Urban Regeneration Project.

This event will feature a variety of programs, including an AI technology experience zone and an EDM performance, centered around "Osam Bulgogi," a signature dish of Donghae's Mukho Port.

The event name, "Saturday Night Osam Baran," means "Saturday Party with Osam Bulgogi." At the festival venue, visitors will be able to enjoy "Osam Bulgogi" prepared by the local residents' council, as well as a variety of other local foods.

The AI technology experience zone is also noteworthy. Visitors can use AI technology to recreate photos with family and friends into videos, or have their faces turned into AI caricatures, offering a unique experience. Donghae City expects this to boost citizen participation and satisfaction, as well as promote tourism through word-of-mouth.

Additionally, events linked to local commercial districts, including the East Sea Central Market, will draw attention. Visitors who present receipts showing purchases of 30,000 won or more on the day of the event will receive urban regeneration souvenirs. This is designed to encourage spending in nearby commercial areas.

Jung Hayoun, Head of the Urban Maintenance Division, explained the purpose of the event's planning: "The Balhan District, once the economic and cultural center of our region, has experienced a long period of stagnation, which has weakened not only the commercial district but also the vitality of the community. By incorporating dishes using squid, the signature food that recalls the memories of Mukho Port's abundant squid catches from the 1960s to the 1990s, into the urban regeneration project, we aim to restore the vibrancy of the Balhan District. Above all, the core of this event is that it is 'resident-led.'"

Choi Jin-ho, head of the Balhan District Urban Regeneration Residents' Council, added, "We will do our best to ensure that this event is not just a day of fun, but serves as a stepping stone for sustainable urban regeneration and the recovery of the local community," and encouraged active interest and participation from citizens.