Naju Festival, Byun Jin-seop Celebration Performance and More Exciting Attractions and Activities

On the 6th day since its opening, the ‘2023 Naju Festival, Yeongsangang is Alive,’ which has passed the halfway point of the ten-day celebration, is gaining momentum with richer attractions and activities.

According to Naju City on the 25th, from 6:30 PM, a congratulatory performance by singer Byeon Jin-seop will take place on the main festival stage at Yeongsangang Riverside Sports Park.

2023 Naju Festival "Yeongsangang is Alive" Stage Performance Blending with the Autumn Night Scenery of Yeongsangang River.
[Photo by Naju City]

Known as the original oppa and a ballad legend, Byeon Jin-seop will present an hour-long medley of hit songs such as ‘The Only Thing I Can Give You Is Love,’ ‘Wish,’ ‘Being Alone,’ ‘To the Lady,’ and ‘To You Again,’ delivering the emotions and excitement of the 80s and 90s to the audience.

On the following day, the 26th, from 1 PM, there will be ‘Hwang Kyungha Korean Dance,’ at 2:30 PM ‘Naju Seopyeonje Pansori Master Exhibition,’ and at 4:30 PM Jeonbuk Provincial Gugak Institute’s ‘Jingyeong,’ showcasing a diverse stage of traditional and modern gugak, pansori, and dance performances.

From 5:30 PM, the main performance will be the madanggeuk (traditional Korean outdoor play) ‘The Drifting Story of Hong-eo Merchant Moon Sun-deuk.’ This play adapts the adventurous journey of Moon Sun-deuk, a real historical figure from the late Joseon period and a skate (Hong-eo) merchant from Sinan, into a drifting adventure madanggeuk.

Moon Sun-deuk, who went to sell skate, this time arrives properly at Yeongsanpo without drifting and tells the audience entertaining and vivid stories of his drifting experiences across Asia, including Japan, the Philippines, Macau, and China, making him the first Korean to drift through various Asian countries.

On the 8th day of the festival, the 27th, at 3 PM, the ‘Czech Seberacek’ Youth Choir will visit Naju. Since its founding in 1958, this world-renowned choir has won over 40 awards, including grand prizes, at various international competitions.

Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the culture and arts of Eastern Europe and enjoy a high-level choral performance rarely accessible locally during this festival.

From 6:30 PM, a congratulatory performance by the National Namdo Gugak Center will be held, featuring a comprehensive set of diverse traditional Korean music and dance, including Daechwita, Samulnori, dance, Namdo folk songs, and instrumental ensemble.

Alongside consistently high-quality and sincere performances, audience responses to the open, wall-free main festival stage have been overwhelmingly positive.

This year’s festival stage breaks away from the conventional fixed format, offering visitors a natural space to enjoy the enchanting sunset scenery of Yeongsangang and the romantic autumn night sky every evening, providing a healing experience.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, “This festival is a cultural and artistic event that showcases Naju’s history, culture, and arts spanning 2,000 years through various genres of performances and performances, while allowing people to feel the natural Yeongsangang where the sky, river, and waterfront harmonize.”

He added, “I hope that Naju’s first integrated festival, which brings together previously scattered and sporadic events, will serve as a catalyst for the unity of all citizens, revitalization of the local economy, and promotion of Naju’s tourism appeal as a place people want to visit again.”

Naju = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yuk-bong baekok@asiae.co.kr

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