"Hidden Prime Spots for the Fireworks Festival Unveiled: Public Goes Wild Over Map Created After 3 Years of Exploration"

From Sightlines to Routes Home and Real-Time Congestion
Explosive Interest Ahead of a Festival Drawing One Million Visitors

In an effort to catch a closer glimpse of the fireworks, citizens flock to Hangang Park hours before the event, carrying mats and portable chairs. Every year there is fierce competition not only for well-known locations such as Yeouido and Ichon, but also for so-called "hidden prime spots" with river views, including Noryangjin, Namsan, Mapo, and Banpo. To address the inconvenience faced by festival-goers, a citizen who spent three years searching on foot compiled a map of "prime fireworks viewing spots" and made it public, attracting widespread attention. The map not only marks the locations, but also provides information on the distance and sightlines to the fireworks, recommended routes home after the event, and even real-time congestion levels, making it a focal point for those planning to attend the festival.

The reaction was explosive. As of 9 a.m. on the 4th, the post surpassed 1.25 million views, received about 7,400 likes, and had over 600 comments. Fireworks Festival Map

Earlier, the citizen who created this service, identified as Mr. A, posted on social media on August 31, asking, "Is it a nuisance to share the best spots for the fireworks festival?"

Mr. A said he hesitated to release the locations he had discovered over several years, worrying he might no longer be able to use those very spots himself once they became known. What changed his mind was an encounter with a family at last year's fireworks festival. He said, "Last year, I saw a father frantically rocking his child beside me during the festival, which made me rethink my decision not to share the best spots," adding, "If you were in my shoes, would you share them?" and opened the question up to the public.

The response was explosive. As of 9 a.m. on the 4th, the post had accumulated over 1.25 million views, about 7,400 likes, and more than 600 comments. Many expressed appreciation for the release of the locations, sharing reactions such as, "I'm so curious, please tell us," "I've never managed to see it properly, but this year I want my child to witness it," and "It'll be really helpful for all those who spend hours wandering around trying to find a spot."

On the 4th, the 'Freedom250 Commemorative Fireworks and Drone Show' is being held around Yeouido Hangang Park in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. This event was planned by the U.S. Embassy in Korea to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence and the Korea-U.S. alliance and friendship, and it also serves as a prelude to the 'Seoul World Fireworks Festival 2026'. Photo by Joint Press Corps

On the other hand, some regretted that what was once "my secret spot" would no longer remain a secret. One commenter joked, "Please take it down now so only I can see it," sparking laughter, while others remarked, "The moment you share a great spot, it stops being one," and "I guess from next year I’ll have to go out even earlier."

The web service "Spotts Fireworks" created by Mr. A goes beyond simply listing well-known viewing spots. Selecting a spot brings up a 3D map that previews where and at what distance the fireworks can be seen from that location, letting users compare sightlines at multiple locations without needing to visit in person.

The criteria for selecting these prime locations are highly practical. Mr. A factored in the distance to the fireworks, sightline obstructions from buildings or structures, and exit routes after the event as primary evaluation points. Based on his own experiences, he gave place-by-place summaries such as, "If the fireworks are more than 2 km away, it's no fun," "It's completely blocked by a building," and "It took 40 minutes to get out after the event," and turned these into scores.

The service also allows users to check restroom locations, concession stands, and traffic control information at a glance. According to a use case registered on the Seoul Open Data Plaza, 47 prime viewing locations for the fireworks around Yeouido and the Hangang River are included in the service. The system regularly collects congestion data for nine zones (Yeouido Hangang Park, Yeouido, Noryangjin, Nodeul Island, Ichon Hangang Park, Banpo Hangang Park, Yanghwa Hangang Park, Mangwon Hangang Park, and Yeouiseoro) based on real-time urban data from Seoul. For 21 major locations, the current level of congestion is displayed in four stages, along with time-specific congestion forecasts.

Each location page has a community feature, enabling users to share updates about onsite conditions such as "How crowded is it right now?" or "Can you really see the fireworks well from here?" Users can also suggest new viewing spots. The high interest in this "Fireworks Prime Spots Map" can be attributed to the overwhelming popularity of the Seoul International Fireworks Festival.

You can check not only the best viewing spots but also information about restrooms, concession stands, and traffic control all at once. According to the use cases registered on the Seoul Open Data Plaza, this service includes 47 prime locations for watching fireworks around Yeouido and the Han River area. Fireworks Festival Map

The Seoul International Fireworks Festival has established itself as Seoul’s representative autumn festival since its launch in 2000 under the banner of "Sharing Hope Through Fireworks." This year marks its 22nd edition. According to Seoul City, over one million citizens and tourists flock to the Hangang River area each year for the festivities. About one million attendees are expected again this year, with Yeouido and Ichon Hangang Park alone anticipated to attract between 400,000 and 500,000 people.

This year's "Seoul International Fireworks Festival 2026 with Hanwha" will be held under the theme "Your Infinite Colors." For the first time this year, a pre-event will also be held. On the evening of the 4th from 8 p.m., there will be a citizen fireworks show and a drone show, while the main event on the 5th will feature fireworks shows by the UK, USA, and Korea in that order from 8 p.m. to 9:10 p.m. General admission is free, but Nodeul Island is designated as a paid ticket zone.

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