60-meter stage, 900-drone show: Olympic Park hosts Hanseong Baekje festival this month

Songpa-gu holds the 26th Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival at Olympic Park's 88 Lawn from Oct. 23 to 25, featuring classical music, gugak, K-pop and a massive drone show

A scene from the 25th Songpa Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival held last September. [Provided by Songpa-gu]

The brilliant cultural heritage of Hanseong Baekje, a kingdom that flourished 2,000 years ago, will meet the global phenomenon of K-culture in Seoul's Songpa-gu later this month.

Songpa-gu will hold the 26th Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival at the 88 Lawn of Olympic Park for three days from Oct. 23 to 25.

The festival, themed "Brilliant Culture, Deep Resonance, One Together," is designed to reinterpret the historical legacy of Hanseong Baekje through contemporary arts and culture, the district said Sunday. Performances spanning classical music, traditional Korean music and K-pop will be staged alongside resident participation programs, children's activity zones and a food market, making the event accessible to all generations.

A highlight of this year's festival is the main stage — the largest in the event's history — stretching 60 meters with a multilevel structure. Equipped with an oversized LED screen and advanced lighting and sound systems, it is designed to heighten the atmosphere of large-scale outdoor performances.

On the opening day, Oct. 23, festivities kick off at 7 p.m. with a performance combining a drone show, media art and large-scale contemporary dance. Songpa-gu's mascots "Haha" and "Hoho" will greet the audience via drone to set the mood.

The opening ceremony centers on a classical music program. The Songpa District Symphony Orchestra and a large choir will perform the opera "O Fortuna," followed by a violin solo, tenor performances by Yun Jeong-su, Jin Seong-won and Lee Dong-myeong, and a waltz by professional dancers.

A creative stage reinterpreting the festival's theme through band music will precede celebratory performances by hip-hop artist Loco and vocal duo Davichi. The opening night closes with a nighttime drone show featuring 900 drones lighting up the sky.

Songpa-gu District Mayor Seo Gang-seok delivers remarks at the 25th Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival last September. [Provided by Songpa-gu]

On Oct. 24, a community participation event called "Hanmaeum Eoulmadag" will take place. At 11 a.m., the Songpa Cultural Foundation's professional arts support team will stage "Gangga-e Seoseo" ("Standing by the River"), a musical gala reimagining the Hanseong Baekje-era legend of "Dominaru" in a modern setting.

From 4:50 p.m., residents from various neighborhoods will take the stage to showcase skills honed through community center programs. A record number of neighborhoods are participating this year, putting residents at the heart of the festival.

On the final day, Oct. 25, the "Hanseong Culture Concert" will bring the festival to a close by blending traditional and contemporary music. The program features a 30-player geomungo ensemble performing alongside a band, a multi-voice performance by master singers, and a set by fusion gugak artist Lee Bong-geun. Global idol group Kep1er and hip-hop group Dynamic Duo will also perform, rounding out a lineup that spans generations.

Beyond the performances, a range of hands-on programs awaits families. The "Hanseong Baekje Kids Cafe" offers a large inflatable bounce zone and a building-block area, while more than 20 programs — including a cypress playground, Baekje costume try-ons, and craft and cultural activities — will run throughout the festival. The "Hanseong Baekje Market," with 17 participating organizations, will showcase a variety of K-food.

Expecting large crowds, Songpa-gu plans to station professional safety personnel throughout the venue and operate a real-time on-site monitoring system.

Promotional poster for the 26th Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival. [Provided by Songpa-gu]

"The Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival is Songpa's signature event, rooted in the history of Hanseong Baekje and brought to life through arts, culture and community participation — a source of pride for our 650,000 residents," Songpa-gu District Mayor Seo Gang-seok said at a press briefing held Monday at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. "Through a grand stage, high-caliber performances and rich experiential programs, we will deliver an unforgettable experience."

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