South Korean cultural festivals draw large crowds during Chuseok holiday

South Korea saw significant cultural and regional activity during the Chuseok holiday period, highlighted by successful events in Boseong and Gwangju.

The 18th Boseong Gizzard Shad Festival, held at Yulpo Solbat Beach, attracted approximately 4,000 visitors. The festival featured interactive programs such as gizzard shad catching and charcoal grilling, which saw participation from 400 people. Local food markets and agricultural product exchanges were also held to boost the regional economy.

Meanwhile, the 16th Gwangju Biennale surpassed 120,000 cumulative visitors within three weeks of its opening. The event saw a surge in attendance during the four-day Chuseok holiday, with over 21,000 people visiting. This year’s theme, ‘You Must Change Your Life,’ features 43 domestic and international artist teams, with high engagement reported for participatory artworks and regional tours in the Yangnim-dong area.