Experience-Packed Ulleungdo Squid Festival Invites Visitors... Featuring Popular Singer Song Gain

Ulleung County announced that, from July 17 to 19, it will convene the Ulleung County Festival Committee to ensure the successful hosting of the 24th Ulleungdo Squid Festival. The committee will conduct work consultations with related institutions, social organizations, and local residents.

This year's festival is scheduled during the 'small tide' period, when squid catches are plentiful, making it possible to showcase the excellence of Ulleungdo squid and provide vivid insights into the local fishing industry. Additionally, by holding the festival in mid-July, outside of the peak tourist season when visitor numbers are relatively low, the event is expected to help revitalize local tourism.

The squid hand-catching event held last year during the Ulleungdo Squid Festival

The 2026 Squid Festival will move beyond being simply a food and performance-centered event, significantly expanding hands-on programs that allow visitors to directly experience Ulleungdo’s nature, culture, and fishing industry.

New programs include the “Hwang Uru Song Festival,” held in honor of Mr. Hwang Uru, who created the “Ulleungdo Twist”; the “Squid Boat Experience,” which allows participants to board actual fishing vessels used for squid fishing; “Urban Sketching,” where visitors capture Ulleungdo’s beautiful scenery on paper; and the “Night Sky Constellation Search,” in which guests observe the stars and the universe amid pristine nature.

Furthermore, the festival’s signature programs—such as the squid hand-catching event, squid tasting, sea loach catching, a pizza and beer party, and regional cultural performances—will be made even more diverse and substantive, promising richer entertainment and a more distinctive festival atmosphere than last year.

A special stage will also be set up to further elevate the festive spirit. Renowned Korean trot singer Song Gain will perform, enchanting the summer night on Ulleungdo with powerful vocals and deep emotion. The Daegu Wind Orchestra will add a touch of sophistication with their performance, offering moving and memorable experiences for all generations.

Nam Han-kwon, Governor of Ulleung County, said, “The Ulleungdo Squid Festival has been newly transformed into an experiential event where visitors can enjoy Ulleungdo’s signature squid, its unrivaled natural environment, and unique local culture all at once.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.