Comedian Kim Jeong-ryeol to emcee; trot singers Yeom Su-yeon, Ryu Ji-gwang and Han Yu-chae to perform; 28 teams to compete in residents' singing contest alongside experience booths and food market
Gangseo-gu in Seoul will host the Hanmaeum Festival on Saturday at an outdoor stage in front of the Gangseo Distribution Complex Customer Support Center (114 Gukhoe-daero 7-gil).
The Gangseo Distribution Complex, located in Hwagok-dong, is a wholesale shopping district specializing in affordable lifestyle goods, kitchenware, toys and other everyday products. The event was organized to boost the complex's competitiveness and create a space for merchants and local residents to come together.
The festival kicks off at 10 a.m. with pre-show performances by a taekwondo demonstration team and an indie band, followed by a full lineup that includes a residents' singing contest, celebratory trot music performances, experience booths, a food market and a bargain market.
The residents' singing contest begins at 11:30 a.m., hosted by comedian Kim Jeong-ryeol, with 28 pre-registered teams competing. Participants range in age from 9 to 82, making it an event the whole family can enjoy across generations.
A trot music concert will follow to keep the festival spirit going. Yeom Su-yeon, known for hits such as "Haneula Haneula" and "Sarangeui Jari," will perform alongside Ryu Ji-gwang, who competed on "Tomorrow's Mr. Trot" with his distinctive deep voice, and Han Yu-chae, praised for her powerful vocals and soulful tone.
The "Picnic Market" — held every Saturday for three weeks starting Aug. 29 — will also continue on the day. Experience booths offering calligraphy and balloon art, a food market run by vocational organizations from Hwagok 2, 4 and 8-dong, and a bargain market where merchants sell quality products at discounted prices are also expected to draw crowds.
The festival wraps up at 3 p.m. with the announcement of singing contest results and an awards ceremony. Prizes for contest participants and raffle winners have been provided by the distribution complex's merchants' association.
"I hope this festival will spread the word about the appeal of the Gangseo Distribution Complex and bring warmth to the local business community," Gangseo-gu District Mayor Jin Kyo-hoon said. "Please come out with your family and neighbors to make happy memories — we look forward to the participation and support of all residents."
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