"Beer Party by the Flower River"... Jangseong County's Hwangryonggang Autumn Flower Festival in Full Bloom

October 8-11: Four Days Along the Hwangryonggang River
J-Light Run, Beer Party, Urban Zakapa, and More

The "Jangseong Hwangryonggang Autumn Flower Festival," Jangseong County's representative fall event, has returned with captivating content. Although this year's festival, held over four days from October 8 to 11, is shorter in duration than previous editions, it is packed with even more sights to see and experiences to enjoy. The festival boasts a noteworthy lineup, including a divided schedule of performances by vocal groups and bands and key events enriched with added "fun elements."

Jangseong Hwangryonggang Autumn Flower Festival Poster. Provided by Jangseong County

The most highly anticipated program is undoubtedly the "J-Light Run." Participants can enjoy a unique night run along Hwangryonggang, dodging zombies and the Grim Reaper. This event debuted at last year’s Autumn Flower Festival and quickly became a sensation. Beginning at Hwangryong Garden, the 2.5-kilometer course circles Hwangmir Land before returning to the start. With the main goal being to complete the course, anyone can take part without pressure.

This year, beer has also been added. According to a county official, about 2,000 cups of beer will be available for 1,000 won each, offering participants a refreshing drink. There will also be DJ performances to delight the ears.

The "J-Light Run & Beer Party" takes place at 6 p.m. on Saturday the 10th. Registration opens on the festival’s website starting on September 28, right after Chuseok. Only the first 500 applicants can participate, so it is advisable to register quickly.

Performances are another highly popular feature of the Autumn Flower Festival. For the opening ceremony on the evening of the 8th, a large group of trot singers—including Seongri, Jang Hanbyeol, Lee Suho, Hyunjinwoo, and IQ—will deliver an energetic stage. The pre-ceremony show features trot singer Minsim and D2M, who won the Encouragement Award at last spring’s Jangseong Busking National Contest.

This year’s main festival performances are themed "Hello, Autumn Concert." On the 9th, vocal groups will fill the venue with emotion, most notably "Urban Zakapa." Debuting in 2009, this co-ed trio—Cho Hyunah, Kwon Soonil, and Park Yongin—has been consistently releasing music full of their unique sentiment.

The stage will also feature "Gavy NJ," a four-member multinational female group comprised of Yejan, Naye, Luan, and Riel from Myanmar, known for their outstanding vocals and harmony. Performances by the fusion Korean music band "Iro," winner of the grand prize at the Jangseong Busking National Contest, and the string band "Momad," are also highly anticipated.

If Friday’s "Hello, Autumn Concert" showers the audience with emotion, the festival’s closing day on the 11th promises scorching rock music. The performance by YB (Yoon Do Hyun Band), a pillar of Korean rock music, is especially awaited. The four-piece band features vocalist Yoon Do Hyun, drummer Kim Jinwon, bassist Park Taehee, and guitarist Heo Jun; they are beloved for their uplifting songs like "I'm a Butterfly" and "White Whale." The highly skilled duo "Red C" will also perform.

If you want to enjoy the festival with children, "Hwangmir Land" is the place to go. From the 9th to the 11th, there will be three daily performances for kids, including magic shows, balloon art, and bubble shows. This year, the "Hwangmir Shuttle" will operate, transporting attendees from the main stage at Hwangryong Garden to Hwangmir Land. The shuttle runs every hour from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the fare is 1,000 won. Shuttles returning from Hwangmir Land to the festival venue at Hwangryong Garden are available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

There is also a musical suitable for children. At 11 a.m. on the 9th, visitors can enjoy the children’s musical "Relax, Beams of Wood" on the main stage at Hwangryong Garden. With the theme "It’s Okay to Be Slow," the musical delivers an inspiring and heartwarming story.

To fully enjoy the festival, it is worth participating in the various events. This year, the "Front Seat Event," which provides seats with the best view of the "Hello, Autumn Concert," is expected to be very popular. Those who donate 100,000 won or more to the Jangseong County Hometown Love Donation program or spend over 70,000 won in the county will each receive two front-row seat tickets. A total of 200 seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Collecting special souvenirs given only to festival participants can also be rewarding. The "3-Hour Stay Zone" offers Jangseong character merchandise to those who stay at the festival for three hours or more. In addition, taking pictures with the character "Seongjang-ee Jangseong-ee" air balloon or making a "hand heart" pose in Cheongbaekri Garden and Hongdam Garden will earn you small commemorative gifts.

Han-jong Kim, Mayor of Jangseong County, said, "We are making thorough preparations to ensure that both residents and visitors can enjoy the beauty of autumn safely and comfortably," and added, "I hope everyone will have a healing and moving experience along Hwangryonggang, beautifully colored by the autumn lights."

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