[Report] No Flowers at the Cherry Blossom Festival... "The Blooming Period Seems Off Due to Abnormal Climate"

"It's refreshing to be able to take off masks and enjoy the festival outdoors. But it's a pity that the flowers are already falling. The leaves have already grown a lot," said Moon Young-yong (69), who visited the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival.

On the morning of the 4th, behind the National Assembly on Yeouiseo-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Visitors of the 'Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival' are walking along the cherry blossom path.
Photo by Seoyul Hwang chestnut@

At around 11 a.m. on the 4th, behind the National Assembly on Yeouiseo-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The 'Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival' was held for the first time in four years, but the streets had a quiet atmosphere. Visitors who came with family, friends, and lovers took off their masks and took pictures of each other against the backdrop of white flower rain as cherry blossom petals scattered in the wind. Yeongdeungpo District Office held an opening ceremony from 11 a.m. that day and will continue the festival until the 9th.

The quiet streets were covered with fallen cherry blossom petals, and green leaves had already sprouted on the cherry trees. Visitors who expected a white cherry blossom path expressed their disappointment. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, this year’s higher temperatures caused the cherry blossoms to bloom earlier than usual. In Seoul, cherry blossoms began to bloom from the 25th of last month, two weeks earlier than the usual blooming date (April 8). As a result, spring visitors had already finished flower viewing last weekend before the festival started. According to Yeongdeungpo District Office, about 500,000 people visited the Yeouido cherry blossom path on the 1st, and 630,000 on the 2nd. The district office also started traffic control, which was originally scheduled to begin on the 4th, from the 1st.

Jang Myung-jung (65), Kim Chun-sik (63), and Kim Chung-young (65), who came to the festival as neighborhood friends, expressed regret that the festival timing did not match. Jang said, "The flowers are all falling in the wind," and added, "Not only the cherry blossoms but also the flowers blooming along the road seem to be fading, which is disappointing." Kim said, "I think I came to the festival around this time before, and the cherry blossoms were fully bloomed and white, so it was nice," adding, "Due to abnormal weather, it seems the festival period and blooming time do not match." A district office official said, "It's the first festival in four years, so even the staff feel a lot of regret," and added, "The festival will continue as planned even if it rains."

Due to the cherry blossoms blooming earlier than expected, green leaves had already sprouted on the cherry trees on the first day of the festival.
Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@

Some citizens lamented that spring might really be ending as rain was forecast from that night. Im Ji-eun (33, female), who went out with her daughter in a stroller, said, "I was telling my daughter that today is the first day of the festival, but many flowers have already fallen," adding, "It’s supposed to rain from tonight, so it feels like summer is coming soon."

Citizens still felt a sense of relief from COVID-19 as the festival resumed. Kim Hwa-ja (75, female), who was traveling alone, said, "The years spent with COVID-19 feel so unfair," and showed excitement, saying, "I’m so happy to go out today that I want to invite my friends to Yeouido Hangang Park." Park (72), who had wandered away from her group of friends while taking flower photos, also said, "It’s my first time here, and I’m happy to take off my mask and enjoy the fresh air," adding, "I think this will be the last day to see this spring’s cherry blossoms, so I will enjoy it to the fullest," and hurried toward her friends.

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