Gangseo District to Host "Heojun Festival" in Magok Area on October 10-11

Experience Traditional Korean and Modern Medicine
Concerts by Melomance and Ben Included

A festival honoring Heo Jun, the renowned royal physician of the Joseon Dynasty, and representing the Gangseo District in Seoul, will take place this weekend in the Magok area. Gangseo District (Mayor Jinhoon Jin) announced on the 6th that the 24th Heojun Festival will be held in the Magok area—including the Seoul Botanic Park, Magok Jungang-ro, and Magok Plaza—from October 10 to 11.

Jin Gyo-Hoon, Mayor of Gangseo-gu, is delivering the opening address at the opening ceremony of the 23rd Heo Jun Festival held last year. Provided by Gangseo-gu.

This year's theme, “Embracing Tradition, Prescribing the Future,” features a combination of traditional Korean medicine and experiences from modern medicine. The festival grounds are divided into five zones: Medical & Health, Culture & Arts, Heojun Dongui Bogam, Healing Experience, and Food. More than 40 programs will be offered throughout the festival.

The festival will begin at 7:20 a.m. on October 10 with the “Heojun Run” event. This year, over 4,000 people have registered to participate. In addition to the existing courses along Seoul Botanic Park and Hangang Citizens Park, a new road course has been introduced for the first time.

For the first time this year, a special “Dongui Bogam Exhibition Zone” will be set up at the entrance. In the Dongui Bogam Zone, visitors can participate in experiences such as making herbal sachets and lectures about the Dongui Bogam, offered in collaboration with the Heojun Museum, Handok Medical Museum, and others.

In the Medical & Health Experience Zone, doctors specializing in Korean medicine from the Association of Korean Medicine will offer pulse readings and consultations. The Gangseo District Medical Association, the Korean Orthopedic Association, and the Gangseo District Pharmaceutical Association will provide check-ups and medication counseling. Visitors can also experience body shape analysis and skin diagnosis using artificial intelligence (AI) equipment.

Interactive programs are also available. Starting at 12:00 p.m. on October 10, family games such as the “Heojun Survival Game” will be held on the lawn at Seoul Botanic Park. On October 11 at 1:00 p.m., an actor dressed as Heo Jun will lead a “Heojun Parade,” accompanied by performances of Korean traditional music and b-boying as they move through the venue. At 3:00 p.m., more than 500 elementary school students will participate in the “Heojun Kids Scholar Challenge,” solving quizzes about Heo Jun, Dongui Bogam, and the history of Gangseo District.

Performances will kick off on October 10 at 6:00 p.m. with a stage by trot singer An Ssom-i and the festival's opening ceremony. The “Heojun Concert” begins at 7:00 p.m., featuring acts such as Melomance, Ben, Ahn Sungjun, and EPEX. The closing ceremony will take place on October 11 at 6:00 p.m., followed by the “Heojun Music Concert” by the Muse Wind Orchestra. Performances by the Gangseo District theater troupe and choir, as well as street performances, will continue throughout the festival period.

For the duration of the festival—from 2:00 a.m. on October 10 to 2:00 a.m. on October 12—vehicle access will be entirely restricted for 220 meters between exits 3 and 6 of Magongnaru Station. The district plans to deploy safety personnel and volunteers throughout the venue and to operate the festival using reusable containers.

Jinhoon Jin, Mayor of Gangseo District, commented, “The Heojun Festival is Gangseo District’s signature wellness event, where one can experience both traditional Korean medicine and cutting-edge medical technologies. We hope that, beyond simply observing, families can actively participate and enjoy a meaningful time of healing together.”

Provided by Gangseo District.

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