Don't let the rain get you down
Unique festivals to enjoy ahead of peak vacation season
The rainy season is approaching, but that doesn't mean outdoor fun is off the table. Across the country, summer festivals are making the most of the season — rain or shine.
Here's a guide to five activity-packed outdoor festivals — from a pool of tomatoes to paddle boats in a lake of lotus flowers — stretching from the outskirts of Seoul to the southern countryside.
A pool full of tomatoes
Just 90 minutes from Seoul, the town of Toechon in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, transforms into a sea of red each summer to celebrate the region's signature crop.
Running from Friday to Sunday, the Toechon Tomato Festival centers around a massive pool of tomatoes where visitors can jump in, splash around and hunt for prizes hidden in the fruit.
Each day, there are multiple rounds of the 'Golden Tomato Hunt,' offering participants a chance to find reward tokens tucked inside certain tomatoes. Prizes include a half-gram of gold or a box of locally grown produce. There's also a range of more low-key family games like stacking tomatoes or guessing how much they weigh.
The tomatoes used in the pool are second-grade produce, not fit for market sale but perfect to play with. Nearby, local farmers also run stalls selling freshly harvested fruits and vegetables.
While most events are free of charge, access to the tomato pool requires a ticket priced at 10,000 won (approximately $8). Showers and changing rooms are available on site for cleanup.
For more information, visit www.gjcity.go.kr.
Mud, sun and selfies
Each year in late July, Daecheon Beach in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, becomes Korea's unofficial summer playground, as tens of thousands flock to the Boryeong Mud Festival.
The main attraction is the Mud Experience Zone, a water park-style compound filled with giant slides, inflatable obstacle courses and pools of thick, mineral-rich mud. Participants can race through mud mazes, get thrown into a 'mud prison,' or simply slip and slide their way across the pools.
Over the years, the festival has also grown to include more wellness-oriented activities. Visitors can book mud massages under tents near the shore and try out DIY facial packs using Boryeong's signature mud cosmetics. The colorful mud painting booth — especially popular with parents and their children — turns bodies into living canvases of purple, blue and green.
Throughout the event, beachside activities such as volleyball and paddleboarding will also be available. The site includes family zones and pet-friendly areas, and the beach is equipped with showers.
This year's edition runs from July 25 to Aug. 10, with weekday tickets priced at 10,000 won and weekend access at 14,000 won.
For details and ticketing, go to www.mudfestival.or.kr.
Paddle through lotuses
In South Jeolla Province, the Muan Lotus Festival invites visitors to take a slower, more tranquil approach to summer by exploring one of Korea's largest natural lotus fields.
The Hwasan Baekryeonji wetland, once used as a reservoir, now spans over 100,000 square meters and was formed naturally in the 1970s after the city government's irrigation efforts led to the spread of wild lotus.
From Thursday to Sunday, the wetland is open for exploration in small boats. Visitors can drift through rows of blooming white and pink lotus flowers. Early morning visits are recommended for their calm atmosphere and soft lighting.
In addition to boat rides, the festival includes lotus-themed footbaths, flower dyeing workshops, and evening walks illuminated by lanterns and floral displays.
Photography enthusiasts also flock to the site, especially in the early morning or around sunset, to capture the delicate petals against pastel skies.
Admission to the site is free, and activities do not require reservations.
For program details, visit tour.muan.go.kr.
Fireworks over the sea
In the coastal city of Pohang, known for its steel industry and smelting furnaces, summer nights come alive with color and sound during the Pohang International Fireworks Festival.
The main event takes place Saturday night, when fireworks teams from Italy, Canada and Korea will compete with back-to-back shows along the Hyeongsan River. The display starts at 9 p.m. and wraps up by 10 p.m., with a synchronized drone light show scheduled just before the fireworks finale.
On Sunday evening, the focus turns to 'Light Art Way,' a riverside art trail lit by glowing sculptures and media installations. The route stretches along parts of Yeongil Bay and the city's canal walk.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early with blankets or folding chairs to secure a good spot. The best viewing spots include Hyeongsan River Sports Park and the central plaza near Yeongil Bridge.
The festival is free to attend, and temporary shuttle services will be available from Pohang Station and other main transit points.
For more information, visit festival.phcf.or.kr.
Chicken, beer and beats
Fans of Korean-style fried chicken and cold draft beer can head to the Chimac Festival, taking place from July 2 to 6 at Duryu Park in Daegu.
The festival is one of the country's most popular summer food-and-music events, celebrating "chimaek," short for 'chicken and maekju' (the Korean word for beer).
Local chicken chains will line the park with booths selling fried chicken and beer, typically priced between 8,000 and 15,000 won per portion.
Live performances will also take place each night, with this year's lineup featuring K-pop stars and DJs, including Girls' Generation's Hyoyeon, DJ Soda, Cravity and indie singer 10cm.
Admission is free. Alcohol is served only to those aged 19 and older with a valid photo ID.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
8 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Don't let the rain get you down
Unique festivals to enjoy ahead of peak vacation season The rainy season is approaching, but that doesn't mean outdoor fun is off the table. Across the country, summer festivals are making the most of the season — rain or shine. Here's a guide to five activity-packed outdoor festivals — from a pool of tomatoes to paddle boats in a lake of lotus flowers — stretching from the outskirts of Seoul to the southern countryside. A pool full of tomatoes Just 90 minutes from Seoul, the town of Toechon in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, transforms into a sea of red each summer to celebrate the region's signature crop. Running from Friday to Sunday, the Toechon Tomato Festival centers around a massive pool of tomatoes where visitors can jump in, splash around and hunt for prizes hidden in the fruit. Each day, there are multiple rounds of the 'Golden Tomato Hunt,' offering participants a chance to find reward tokens tucked inside certain tomatoes. Prizes include a half-gram of gold or a box of locally grown produce. There's also a range of more low-key family games like stacking tomatoes or guessing how much they weigh. The tomatoes used in the pool are second-grade produce, not fit for market sale but perfect to play with. Nearby, local farmers also run stalls selling freshly harvested fruits and vegetables. While most events are free of charge, access to the tomato pool requires a ticket priced at 10,000 won (approximately $8). Showers and changing rooms are available on site for cleanup. For more information, visit Mud, sun and selfies Each year in late July, Daecheon Beach in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, becomes Korea's unofficial summer playground, as tens of thousands flock to the Boryeong Mud Festival. The main attraction is the Mud Experience Zone, a water park-style compound filled with giant slides, inflatable obstacle courses and pools of thick, mineral-rich mud. Participants can race through mud mazes, get thrown into a 'mud prison,' or simply slip and slide their way across the pools. Over the years, the festival has also grown to include more wellness-oriented activities. Visitors can book mud massages under tents near the shore and try out DIY facial packs using Boryeong's signature mud cosmetics. The colorful mud painting booth — especially popular with parents and their children — turns bodies into living canvases of purple, blue and green. Throughout the event, beachside activities such as volleyball and paddleboarding will also be available. The site includes family zones and pet-friendly areas, and the beach is equipped with showers. This year's edition runs from July 25 to Aug. 10, with weekday tickets priced at 10,000 won and weekend access at 14,000 won. For details and ticketing, go to Paddle through lotuses In South Jeolla Province, the Muan Lotus Festival invites visitors to take a slower, more tranquil approach to summer by exploring one of Korea's largest natural lotus fields. The Hwasan Baekryeonji wetland, once used as a reservoir, now spans over 100,000 square meters and was formed naturally in the 1970s after the city government's irrigation efforts led to the spread of wild lotus. From Thursday to Sunday, the wetland is open for exploration in small boats. Visitors can drift through rows of blooming white and pink lotus flowers. Early morning visits are recommended for their calm atmosphere and soft lighting. In addition to boat rides, the festival includes lotus-themed footbaths, flower dyeing workshops, and evening walks illuminated by lanterns and floral displays. Photography enthusiasts also flock to the site, especially in the early morning or around sunset, to capture the delicate petals against pastel skies. Admission to the site is free, and activities do not require reservations. For program details, visit Fireworks over the sea In the coastal city of Pohang, known for its steel industry and smelting furnaces, summer nights come alive with color and sound during the Pohang International Fireworks Festival. The main event takes place Saturday night, when fireworks teams from Italy, Canada and Korea will compete with back-to-back shows along the Hyeongsan River. The display starts at 9 p.m. and wraps up by 10 p.m., with a synchronized drone light show scheduled just before the fireworks finale. On Sunday evening, the focus turns to 'Light Art Way,' a riverside art trail lit by glowing sculptures and media installations. The route stretches along parts of Yeongil Bay and the city's canal walk. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early with blankets or folding chairs to secure a good spot. The best viewing spots include Hyeongsan River Sports Park and the central plaza near Yeongil Bridge. The festival is free to attend, and temporary shuttle services will be available from Pohang Station and other main transit points. For more information, visit Chicken, beer and beats Fans of Korean-style fried chicken and cold draft beer can head to the Chimac Festival, taking place from July 2 to 6 at Duryu Park in Daegu. The festival is one of the country's most popular summer food-and-music events, celebrating "chimaek," short for 'chicken and maekju' (the Korean word for beer). Local chicken chains will line the park with booths selling fried chicken and beer, typically priced between 8,000 and 15,000 won per portion. Live performances will also take place each night, with this year's lineup featuring K-pop stars and DJs, including Girls' Generation's Hyoyeon, DJ Soda, Cravity and indie singer 10cm. Admission is free. Alcohol is served only to those aged 19 and older with a valid photo ID.
Korea Herald
10-06-2025
- Korea Herald
Mamamoo's Hwasa expands solo tour to Europe
Hwasa of Mamamoo added Europe and Thailand to her "Twits" solo fan concert tour, her agency P Nation announced Tuesday. She is planning to visit Bangkok in August and from Oct. 21, six cities in Europe: Paris, Berlin, London, Poland's Warsaw, Amsterdam and Frankfurt, Germany. The songstress toured 11 cities in the US and Canada between March and April for 'Twits,' her first visit to the region as a solo act. She went live in Seoul on April 20 and in Hong Kong in May and is set to perform in Taipei and Singapore later in June. Hwasa signed with P Nation in 2023 and dropped her second solo EP 'O' last year. The mini album topped the iTunes Top Albums Chart in seven regions.
Korea Herald
30-12-2024
- Korea Herald
Female K-pop idols reveal struggles with extreme dieting on documentary
Female K-pop idols have opened up about the severe pressure of extreme dieting and societal beauty standards in the SBS documentary 'Bodymentary,' which aired Sunday. From legendary artist Kim Wan-sun to Hwasa of Mamamoo, female artists spoke about health issues and the emotional struggles that had long been hidden behind the K-pop industry's glamorous facade. Soyou, a member of the 2010s popular girl group Sistar, revealed the relentless pressure she faced during her trainee days in her interview for the show. 'I had to weigh myself daily and was constantly judged. At one point, I collapsed on the street from sudden weight loss and was rushed to the emergency room,' she said. Despite receiving intravenous fluids as a quick treatment, her anxiety about gaining weight persisted -- leading her to develop panic disorder. One particularly harsh standard she described was the 'height minus 120' formula, an unrealistic expectation where a female idol's weight should equal their height in centimeters minus 120. 'This calculation followed us like a rule, leaving us obsessing over numbers,' Soyou said. Another girl group Secret member Jeon Hyo-sung, who struggled with binge eating and intense fasting, reflected on her career when she weighed around 50 kilograms. 'I felt like I wasn't fulfilling my professional duties,' she said. The singer recalled the emotional burden of maintaining an idealized image. Mamamoo member Hwasa, known for challenging conventional beauty norms in the K-pop industry, also discussed the backlash she faced during her debut. She recalled fans' petition urging her removal from the group due to her appearance. 'Back then, the beauty standards were incredibly rigid. It felt like an inescapable part of being an idol,' she said. 'I once secretly ate a black sesame rice cake and felt such guilt that I vomited. This led to anorexia and depression.' Han Seung-yeon, a member of 2010's popular girl group Kara, recounted the extreme measures she took during promotions for the group's hit song "Mister." Members had to wear low-rise pants and crop tops for the performances. 'I barely drank water for months during our activities (for Mister, then). Eventually, I became so thin that I fainted,' Han said. Han suffered from a rash of an unknown cause, which took seven years to heal. She also had patulous eustachian tube syndrome, a rare condition caused by excessive weight loss that impaired her ear pressure regulation. Even Kim Wan-sun, a pop icon of the late 1980s, was not spared. She described how a serious car accident caused her to lose 4 to 5 kilograms overnight, weight she kept off for 15 years after receiving praise for her slender figure. National Health Insurance Service statistics released last July showed a 97.5 percent increase in anorexia cases among women under 20 from 2018 to 2022.
