Seoul's biggest summer festival to begin Friday

Four movies will be screened along the Han River as part of this year’s Hangang River Festival Summer, set to last from Friday to Aug. 20. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

The Seoul city government’s largest summer festival featuring concerts, movie screenings and leisure activities along the Han River will begin Friday.

Seoul Metropolitan Government announced in a press release on Tuesday that this year’s Hangang River Festival Summer will last through Aug. 20 across eight Han River parks, offering a total of 24 programs.

Fifteen programs will be free of charge, while the rest will be subject to a fee.

Some programs require reservations.

At Yeouido Hangang Park in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul, a jazz and traditional Korean music concert will be held on Friday from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturday and Aug. 12, a “silent” DJ party will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., in which participants will hear music through wireless headphones.

At Banpo Hangang Park in Seocho District, southern Seoul, breakdancing and fire performances will be held on Aug. 11 and 12 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Four movies will be screened during the festival.

“Minari” (2020) and “A Dog’s Journey” (2019) will be screened at Yeouido Hangang Park on Aug. 19 and Aug. 20, respectively, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. “Little Forest” (2018) and “La La Land” (2016) will be screened at Mangwon Hangang Park in Mapo District, western Seoul, on Aug. 19 and Aug. 20, respectively, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

A race in which participants have to peddle boats they made out of recyclable materials such as plastic bottles and cans has been scheduled for Aug. 12 to Aug. 13 at Jamsil Hangang Park in Songpa District, southern Seoul. One hundred teams will compete on each day and participation will cost 20,000 won ($16).

Reservations are made through the city government’s Seoul Public Service Reservation system. Teams that return to the finish line the fastest or have the most “interesting” boats will receive prizes, such as e-bikes and Han River ferry cruise ride tickets, said the city government.

Other activities include night marathons, yoga sessions, water safety classes, drone demonstrations and canoeing programs.

Joo Yong-tae, head of Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Future Hangang Project Headquarters, said in a Tuesday press briefing that some programs could get canceled or postponed due to heavy rain.

In the case that more than 11 millimeters (0.4 inches) of rain falls per hour, Joo said programs scheduled for that day will likely be called off as a safety precaution.

BY LEE SUNG-EUN [lee.sungeun@joongang.co.kr]