Uiryeong-gun "Rich Festival Preparation Complete... Come Enjoy and Receive Wealth Energy"

Already Crowded with People Coming to Make Wishes at 'Sotbawi'

Night view of Bujabawi Rock located in Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam.
[Image source provided by Uiryeong-gun Office]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Wook] “The Rich Rich Festival will be an opportunity to introduce Uiryeong to the entire nation. Preparations are complete. Come, enjoy, and receive an abundance of wealthy energy to your heart's content.”

Residents met at the Uiryeong County Office intersection in Gyeongnam, ahead of the Rich Rich Festival opening ceremony, expressing their high expectations for the festival's successful hosting.

Large sculptures and banners related to the Rich Rich Festival have been installed at major intersections, and the Uibyeong Tower, a symbol of Uiryeong’s pride and the righteous army, is illuminated at night, adding a solemn atmosphere.

The area around the legendary ‘Sotbawi’ (Cauldron Rock), which has come to life from legend to reality, has been equipped with a temporary bridge so visitors can enjoy the ‘wealthy energy’ up close, and the main festival site, Seodong Living Park, is lit up at night by the dazzling ‘Sea of Light’ illuminating Uiryeong’s evening.

The opening ceremony is scheduled to be attended by key figures including Governor Park Wan-su, and as visitors from all over the country flock to Uiryeong to enjoy the festival, the festive atmosphere is intensifying.

On the 26th, many tourists were seen taking photos with the festival sculptures as the backdrop at Seodong Living Park. Around Sotbawi, the area was bustling with people who came to make wishes, each with their own story.

Lee Ji-hye (38), whom we met near Sotbawi, said, “I only knew Uiryeong by name when passing by. I didn’t know there was such meaningful tourist content here,” expressing her surprise.

Uiryeong County is confident in the success of the ‘Rich Rich Festival,’ the only wealthy-themed festival in Korea. The fact that the ‘Sotbawi legend,’ which predicted a great wealthy person would emerge within 20 ri (approximately 7.9 km) of the area, has come true gives the festival special significance.

The ‘Rich Rich Festival’ stands in the ‘line of the wealthy,’ thinking about wealth, as Samsung’s late Chairman Lee Kun-hee said, “Stand next to the rich. You have to go to the ginseng field to dig ginseng. You have to know what kind of people the rich are to become rich.” However, this festival is not about indulging in the rich or chasing so-called ‘big hits.’ It emphasizes the social responsibility of the wealthy and is a festival to learn the ‘life attitudes’ of successful people.

Held from the 28th to the 30th, the ‘Uiryeong Rich Rich Festival’ is themed around ‘wealthy energy.’ Under the theme of ‘Life Turning Point,’ it calls out, “Make a wish! One earnest wish will be granted!”

The festival’s ‘positive influence’ unfolds throughout Uiryeong County. The wish-leaf hanging and wish-leaf floating events create a magnificent scene that faithfully represents the festival’s meaning. The opening ceremony features the ‘Rich Classic Concert,’ where top domestic orchestras and vocalists perform under the theme of ‘A Day to Become Rich,’ and the ‘Rich Multi Show,’ which combines music, fireworks, lasers, and lighting.

The festival’s hottest topic is the ‘Youth Challenge, Meeting with Celebrities.’ Popular hosts from Clubhouse, the ‘trending app’ joined by many famous personalities, will gather in Uiryeong on the 29th during the Rich Rich Festival. They plan to inspire youth with the festival’s theme of ‘Life Turning Point.’

Uiryeong County is transforming the entire region?including Seodong Living Park, Sotbawi, Uiryeong Traditional Market, Hanwoo Mountain, and Tapbawi?into festival venues, attempting a new adventure in Korean festivals.

County Governor Oh Tae-wan said, “The Rich Rich Festival is a festival only Uiryeong County can host and make happen,” adding, “We will learn the ‘proper’ life of the wealthy and spread the good meanings they speak and achieve.”

He continued, “We will gift Uiryeong County’s ‘happy imagination’ where you can make earnest wishes, receive wealthy energy, and change your life’s fortune,” and added, “This festival will be the start of your life’s transformation and provide a new turning point.”

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