Moon-shaped balloon ride set to light up Seoul's summer nights

A rendered image shows a tethered air balloon which will be installed in Yeouido, western Seoul. It has the city's slogan ″Seoul, My Soul″ at the center of the balloon. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

A moon-shaped tethered balloon ride will light up the skies of Yeouido in June, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday.

The balloon, filled with helium gas, will float up to 150 meters (492 feet).

The 15-minute-long ride can carry 30 passengers. The grass field in Yeouido Park in western Seoul will host the attraction.

The city revealed the ride’s design and detailed operational plan on Wednesday.

The balloon will have the city’s slogan “Seoul, My Soul” across it with decorative elements like a smile and a heart.

Despite its resemblance to a hot air balloon, the ride cannot move horizontally as the cable cord will just connect the balloon and the ground below it.

Helium gas, a non-flammable and non-explosive substance, will make the ride safer than hot air balloons. The attraction will also not cause noise and pollution, the city government said.

Tethered balloons can be found worldwide, such as at Disneyland in Paris and Walt Disney World in Orlando.

The city authority chose to use a tethered balloon called Aero30ng, produced by French manufacturer Aerophile. The craft is certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency for its quality and safety. It consists of an engine for emergencies and connecting cables with a resistance of 45 tons (99,000 lbs).

The city started the design and production of the ride last month and aims to finish the installation by June.

The authority will conduct a safety check over a week-long pilot period. The full operation is slated to begin around late June after considering weather situations such as heavy rainfall in summer and typhoons.

The city plans to operate the ride every Tuesday to Sunday between 12 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Mondays will be reserved for regular maintenance.

The city plans to charge 25,000 won ($18.76) per single adult with discounts available for people with disabilities and those who made sacrifices and contributions to the country.

“The attraction will become a new landmark by utilizing the Han River and the city’s nightscape and spearhead an 'era of 30 million tourists,'" said Kim Young-hwan, a head of the city's Tourism & Sports Bureau. “The authority will make Seoul a city where [tourists] want to stay longer and revisit.”

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]