Haha, Kim Na-young to headline 'Daengnyangconcert'; film 'My Heart Puppy' to screen; pet-loss talk concert also on program
The Seoul Metropolitan Government will hold its first pet culture festival, "2026 Seoul Daengnyangdays," at the Culture Tank in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, on Saturday, the city announced Tuesday.
Themed "A Day with Your Pet," the event is designed for pet owners, non-pet owners and animals alike.
The main stage at the Culture Yard will feature a performance in which people and their dogs dance together, followed by a fashion show where the pairs walk a runway.
A large screen will also show selected entries from the Seoul Animal Love 60-Second Film Festival, a competition in which residents submitted short videos capturing life with their pets.
The "Daengnyangconcert" will feature singer-songwriters including Haha and Kim Na-young. At 5 p.m., pop-opera group Victoria will perform a cinema concert.
From 6 to 8 p.m., the film "My Heart Puppy" will screen. Before the screening, a special interview video will be released in which actor Yoo Yeon-seok shares the story of adopting a stray dog named Rita and behind-the-scenes moments from filming.
The T2 indoor performance hall will host an exhibition of works by emerging artists — Dahee, Oh Ji-woo, Im Jeong-cheol, Jeong Ha-kyeong, Jjoya and Petdu — all of whom focus on pet-themed art. Visitors can also take part in a "Memory Wall" experience, completing mural-style artworks using stickers and coloring.
At the T2 outdoor stage, a talk concert will run from noon, featuring authors and pet influencer Wonshothanssol, among others.
At 4 p.m., a session titled "Goodbye, Today Too" will address the loss of a pet. Director Jo Ji-hoon, who runs a pet-loss counseling center, and veterinarian Seol Chae-hyeon will discuss how to cope with grief and find healing after losing an animal companion. Pet loss refers to the grief experienced by owners following the death of a pet.
From 3:30 to 5 p.m., the "Pimky Red Carpet Adoption Fair" will give stray dogs currently in foster care a chance to take the stage, show off their personalities and find new families.
Interactive programs will include a virtual reality zoo, a pet personality quiz, and toy and keyring crafting workshops. The first 1,000 visitors to complete a stamp rally across the festival's seven zones will receive commemorative gifts. A dog patrol team will guide visitors around the venue and run a pet etiquette campaign covering leash rules and waste disposal.
Free shuttle buses will run between the World Cup Second Public Parking Lot and Peace Park Parking Lot and the Culture Tank parking area for visitor convenience. Further details about Seoul Daengnyangdays are available on the official website.
Kim Yeong-hwan, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Garden City Bureau, said the city hopes everyone — pet owners and non-pet owners alike — will spend a special day at the festival on the last day of October.
ken@heraldcorp.com
