The Return of the 'Seoripul Festival' After 4 Years: Opening Fanfare

Seocho-gu to Host 'Seocho is the Music' Festival with 30 Cultural and Artistic Programs and Over 800 Performers on Car-Free Banpo-daero (Seocho Station Intersection to Seocho 3-dong Intersection, 1km) on 16-17; Featuring 'Music Gift Festival,' 'Harmony Festival,' 'Youth Festival,' 'Coexistence & Eco-friendly Festival,' 'Safe Festival,' and Spectacular Opening and Closing Music Performances Including 'Sketchbook' and 'Light Show'

The sky over Banpodaero is illuminated with lights (light show), citizens are immersed in music, and the ground is adorned with drawings (sketchbook).

Seocho-gu, Seoul, a city of culture and arts (Mayor Jeon Seong-su), will hold the ‘2023 Seoripul Festival’ for two days from the 16th to the 17th on Banpodaero, the sacred place of classical music.

The Seoripul Festival is an urban music festival held every September. Since its first event in 2015, it has grown into a representative autumn music festival attracting about 860,000 visitors until 2019. After a hiatus due to COVID-19 and other reasons, it returns after four years under the 8th local government administration.

This year marks the 6th festival, themed ‘Seocho is the Music.’ It signifies coloring the entire Seocho downtown, the center of K-classical music, with various musical gifts.

The festival proceeds with keywords of communication, sharing, integration, and dignity, enjoying various music genres in one place. It presents a stage of harmony transcending religion, gender, and age. It is a space of musical gifts where people briefly escape daily life to enjoy happiness through music and arts, and a delightful deviation freely roaming the 10-lane car-free Banpodaero.

The festival venue is the Banpodaero area (from Seocho Station on Subway Line 2 to Seocho 3-dong Intersection), the central axis of the nation’s only music culture district. It takes place over about a 1 km section of the 10-lane road, covering approximately 28,500 square meters.

Transformed into a large-scale cultural and artistic performance venue, it features a 3,000-seat ‘Main Stage,’ a 10-meter ‘Circular Stage’ near Seocho Station, and three ‘Small Stages’ where diverse performances unfold. A total of 30 programs with about 800 performers showcase the essence of autumn music festivals from classical to jazz, K-Pop, and EDM.

Especially, you can experience performances with four grand pianos, three harps in collaboration, toy pianos, horns, and other instruments rarely seen, exclusively enjoyed in Seocho.

Also, the 10-lane road transforms into the ‘largest sketchbook on earth,’ filled with colorful drawings. The opening and closing performances feature spectacular light shows and fireworks, decorating the autumn night sky.

The festival mainly aims for ▲ a ‘musical gift festival’ that brings happiness through music and arts ▲ a ‘festival of harmony’ embracing generations and religions ◆ a ‘festival of youth’ celebrating 35 years of young Seocho ▲ a ‘win-win and eco-friendly festival’ with the local community △ and a ‘safe festival’ enjoyed comfortably.

The World's Largest Sketchbook

Infinite transformation of car-free Banpodaero! ‘Largest Sketchbook on Earth’ with ‘Light Show’

On the first day, the 16th, starting at 2 p.m., the opening parade by the 50-member brass band of Yeomgwang High School kicks off the ‘largest sketchbook on earth’ event, where the vast asphalt transforms into a canvas.

The ‘largest sketchbook on earth’ is the most popular program in the history of the Seoripul Festival. This year, visitors’ chalk drawings will be retouched by artists and sublimated into musical art pieces on the street along with a ‘light show.’

Beforehand, the graffiti team ‘Bamers’ prepares sketches symbolizing music, and children, families, friends, and couples freely draw with chalk and capture memories with photos. Finally, ‘Bamers’ and students from Baekseok Arts University add retouching to complete the artwork. The district provides about 100,000 colorful chalk pieces free of charge on-site, and anyone can participate.

The sketchbook artworks created by citizens and artists together will glow with light during the highlight ‘light show’ of the opening ceremony starting at 9:30 p.m., enhancing the synergy effect.

As the light show proceeds, the sketchbook zone transforms into a glowing stage where everyone dances to the music. DJ Han Min, the protagonist of Passeho, hosts an EDM party, followed by a dance performance by HolyBang (Honey Jae), the winner of Street Woman Fighter 1st place, delivering an overwhelming atmosphere.

Seoripul Male Choir Performance

‘Seoripul Choir Festival’ gathering three major religions and famous musicians’ stage ‘Opening Performance’

At 3 p.m. on the 16th, the main stage hosts the ‘Seoripul Choir Festival,’ transcending religion and gender. Seven choirs including Buddhist, Christian, and Catholic groups with about 300 members present beautiful harmonies. The stage features the Declare Ensemble of Sarang Church, Geumgang Choir of Gwanmunsa Temple, Seocho Sacred Choir of Seocho Catholic Church, Seocho-gu Women’s Choir, Seoripul Men’s Choir of the Father Center, and Somdari Choir of Yangjae Comprehensive Social Welfare Center.

Also, the famous classical show choir ‘Twigim Soboche,’ a vocal choir, performs crossover music and sings ‘Beautiful Rivers and Mountains’ with the seven choirs, delivering splendid harmonies.

Following this, the opening performance starting at 7:30 p.m. features ‘Fortena,’ the runner-up team of JTBC Phantom Singer 4, harmonizing with the ‘Liberte Pops Orchestra.’ Singers ‘Kim Wan-sun’ and ‘Kim Jong-kook’ take the stage to deliver passionate energy. The MCs are KBS announcers Kim Hee-soo and Park So-hyun.

Fireworks galore! Preview of Seocho’s Carnegie Hall performance and touching closing performance finale

On the last day, the 17th, at 8 p.m., the main stage is laid with the carpet of music again with the closing performance. A highlight is the ‘Seocho Symphony Orchestra’ preparing for the special commemorative performance of the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance at Carnegie Hall in New York this October. The Seocho Symphony Orchestra, led by Maestro Bae Jong-hoon, is a top-level 60-member orchestra performing pieces like the ‘William Tell Overture’ and ‘Sunshine Samba.’

The closing ceremony, hosted by KBS announcer Park So-hyun, opens with performances by Korea National University of Arts and the National Gugak Center. Professor Lee Seok-jun of K-Arts and a 12-member brass band, along with the National Gugak Center’s Samulnori troupe, heat up the festival once again.

Famous musical actors Kim So-hyun and Son Jun-ho present a musical gala show accompanied by the orchestra. Afterwards, Zico, a leading icon and skilled rapper in popular culture, captivates visitors’ eyes and ears with hits like ‘Any Song’ and ‘Savage.’

Finally, the festival concludes with a fireworks party of 50,000 shots illuminating the night sky over Banpodaero.

Dream stages unfolding everywhere with young artists and students

The district has prepared a stage for young artists to take a step closer to their dreams through this festival. Incidentally, the 16th is Youth Day.

On the circular and small stages, young performances under the name ‘Seoripul Music Live’ take place. Throughout the festival, ensembles featuring toy pianos, flutes, gayageum, double bass, and other Eastern and Western instruments harmonize.

Especially, at 4:30 p.m. on the 16th, the ‘4PIANOS’ piano performance begins. Four young pianists who have won international competitions perform together on four grand pianos. This expresses the identity of Seocho, the only classical music street in the nation.

Additionally, 14 teams including Massacrew’s b-boying and recorder ensemble Elodie present youth busking over two days. The nation’s only youth brass band, ‘Artenium Brass Band,’ signals the start of the opening performance on the 16th.

Behind the small stage, a Youth Art Gallery operates. Participated by 31 young artists, visitors can appreciate and purchase paintings, photographs, crafts, caricatures, and more. Also, 14 youth flea markets offer items such as flower tea and upcycled bags.

At 3 p.m. on the 17th, the main stage hosts the ‘Seoripul Junior Concert’ featuring Seocho’s musical hopefuls. Starting with a support video from soprano Cho Soo-mi, about 180 students participate, including the Seoul National University of Education Elementary Orchestra and Choir, Seoil Elementary Violin Ensemble, and Seomun Girls’ Middle School Orchestra. Prior to this, Seomun Girls’ Middle School’s Nanta club presents an exciting performance attracting visitors’ attention.

Jeon Seong-su, the Seocho District Mayor, is visiting Cheoncheon Market and having a conversation with merchants.

Book culture festival, music experiences... a rich array of side events with no dull moments

Along with various music performances, the festival simultaneously offers diverse experiential events such as the family-friendly Seoripul Book Culture Festival Zone.

The ‘Seoripul Book Culture Festival Zone’ features a reading rest area on bean bags placed like musical notes on a staff drawn on the road, music-related book curation and activities, and a book market, offering a music library experience. Also, rides like a carousel, Viking ship, merry-go-round, mini train, and an EDM kindergarten are set up to captivate children’s tastes.

Moreover, over 30 experience zones operate. Reflecting MZ generation preferences, there are personal color diagnosis and MBTI test booths, ▲ ‘N-jobber Experience’ for youth career concerns ▲ VR metaverse games ▲ 3D pen merchandise making ▲ free tax consultation ▲ health booths measuring stress and vascular indices, among others, prepared for various age groups to have meaningful times.

Additionally, rest areas are scattered throughout the venue, and nine food trucks provide refreshments. An LED relay screen at the midpoint allows enjoying the festival from anywhere, and diverse side events like classical music circus are also prepared.

Various events are held during the festival. Visitors who collect five out of six stamps placed around the venue on commemorative postcards can enter a draw for gift certificates awarded to 50 people. Also, watching the ‘One Breath Challenge’ video on Seocho-gu’s official YouTube channel and uploading a video mimicking the challenge phrase grants gift certificates to 30 people.

Furthermore, purchasing the Seoripul Festival commemorative T-shirt allows visitors to enjoy the festival more meaningfully. Proceeds from sales are donated to support musically gifted low-income youth. T-shirts are available at the comprehensive information center.

Eco-friendly practice and a festival co-created with the local community

This festival aims for kind eco-friendly practices and co-prosperity with the local community.

The district runs a ‘no disposable products campaign’ during the event to raise awareness about disposable waste left by crowds and to find solutions together with residents.

The ‘Tumbler Day Coffee Truck’ offers free drinks to 1,000 people daily who use personal cups. Finger food trucks use paper containers to minimize waste.

Recycling and food waste bins are installed throughout the venue, and after the festival, 19 cleaning trucks will be used to ensure a clean finish.

To foster empathy for the environment and neighbors, a ‘Good Seocho Coin Experience Zone’ operates. Seocho Coin is a point system that encourages good influence by accumulating points through recycling, volunteering, and using or donating them.

Additionally, to revitalize nearby commercial areas, visitors receive discounts at restaurants and other businesses. About 50 restaurants around the venue offer discounted prices to visitors who verify participation during the festival. Also, an 8 billion KRW scale local gift certificate (Seocho Love Gift Certificate, Seocho Ttaenggyeoyo) and online discount coupons support small business owners.

A safe festival everyone can comfortably enjoy!

The district carefully ensures a safe festival where visitors can comfortably enjoy. Joint safety inspections with Seocho Police Station, Seocho Fire Station, and related agencies have been conducted multiple times to prepare for risks around the venue and accidents due to crowding.

During the festival, safety personnel, martial arts black belt volunteers from civic groups, and police patrols strengthen security. Safety instruction signs promoting ‘festival safety rules’ will be installed throughout the venue. Additionally, three medical booths staffed by 17 medical personnel respond to emergencies.

The district conducts traffic control with the local community to minimize visitor inconvenience and ensure safe traffic flow. From midnight on September 16 to 4 a.m. on September 18, about a 1 km section of Banpodaero from Seocho Station to Seocho 3-dong Intersection will be closed to vehicles in cooperation with Seocho Police Station and Seocho-Bangbae Model Drivers Association. They also guide temporary detours for 33 bus routes to enhance passenger safety and minimize inconvenience.

This festival is hosted by Seocho-gu and organized by the Seocho Cultural Foundation.

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, “I hope visitors participating in the Seoripul Festival, held for the first time in four years, take away freedom and happy musical gifts in their daily lives,” and added, “I look forward to many people’s participation and interest in this festival where happiness, freedom, and joy are enjoyed through music in the cultural and artistic city of Seocho.”

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