Basilla, a 2017 Performance Presented in Collaboration between Jeongdong Theater & Gyeongju World Culture Expo  The Show Has Become Even More Powerful Than Ever!  - SILLA: Basilla, an upgrade repertoire of the Gyeongju Brand Performance Presented by Jeongdong Theater A hidden story from the Silla Kingdom with a thousand years of history  The breathtaking performance you can find only in Gyeongju -      SILLA: Basilla has become an even more powerful and spectacular show, presented by Jeongdong Theater in 2016 as a part of its performance series in Gyeongju The breathtaking performance you can find only in Gyeongju   Jeongdong Theater Foundation (CEO: Son Sangwon) showcased an upgraded version of Basilla, a major repertoire of the Gyeongju Brand Performance SILLA on March 27 at Cultural Center Theater, Gyeongju World Culture Expo. Premiering in 2015, Basill are interprets a Persian epic poem called Kush-Nama in an attempt to incorporate historical content and performance art, and uses storytelling as an important tool that can appeal to the audience. Audiences have highly praised the show for depicting the incredible cultural encounter between the Persian Empire and Silla Kingdom through a new kind of stage performance and stage directing. In 2016, Basilla has returned as an even more intense and spectacular show, with several new features that add more depth to choreography, more sophistication to video design, and a stronger sense of narrative to music. As a part of the "Project for Revitalizing Local Culture" that began in 2011, Jeongdong Theater launched the Gyeongju Performance Brand called SILLA and showcased high-quality creative traditional performances in the local area so as to take a big step towards establishing a theater that produces only traditional performance art. Jeongdong Theater has successfully introduced to the field of cultural tourism a futuristic performance art which can still reflect the history and culture of Gyeongju. Basilla attracted a total of 2.000.000 audience members by the end of 2015 and greatly enhanced its reputation as a Gyeongju Brand Performance.     This year's upgraded version of Basilla ains to differentiate itself from any other local open-run show as a "must-see performance with a high level of performance" by creating more sophisticated and artistic scenes on stage. The audiences will be able to enjoy a more intense, spectacular, and harmonious show filled with artistic choreography with a strong sense of narrative, beautiful costumes and props that reenact the grand culture of the Silla Kingdom and the Persian Empire, video and lighting designs that blur the distinction between reality and fantasy, and great music that successfully delivers the story. Basilla, a repertoire of the Gyeongju Brand Performance presented by Jeongdong Theater, tells a hidden story from the Silla Kingdom 1,500 years ago, and it will soon become the most recognized Open-Run Show in Gyeongju once again.  

The festival, held in Busan, is a spirited celebration of both the spring and the ocean. The word ‘Eobang’ describes the spirit of the fishermen in the coastal regions, and the meaning carries over to the festival. Attendees can visit many popular nearby tourist destinations, such as Gwangalli Beach and the Gwangan Bridge and can even try bare–hand fishing, take part in a cooking contest, or sample a wide selection of interesting cuisine. Many people attend to try the sashimi sliced fresh catches of Busan at the attractive prices.

24 Martials Arts (Muye 24-gi in Korean) refers to the 24 martial art techniques in the Muyedobotongji (Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts). The manual was compiled in 1790 by Silhak (practical learning school of Confucianism) scholars Lee Deok-mu and Park Jae-ga, along with the martial art expert Baek Dong-su, under the orders of King Jeongjo (22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty). Regarded as a resource for understanding the nature of Korean military science, the manual is an exemplary martial arts compilation that was organized into 24 techniques by adopting the traditional martial arts of Joseon, as well as China and Japan. The 24 Martial Arts were practiced by the soldiers of the outer military unit of Jangyongyeong, the most elite military troop during the Joseon Dynasty. Soldiers stationed at the northern and southern military camps of Hwaseong Haenggung Palace practiced these techniques to effectively guard the palace. It is a considered as a significant intangible heritage because of its great historical, artistic, and athletic values. With the restoration of Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, a regular event is being held to demonstrate the 24 Martial Arts. The performance features 18 ground martial arts among the 24 techniques recorded in the Muyedobotongji. From every Tuesday to Sunday at 11:00, the 24 Martial Arts Trial Performance where eighteen martial arts will be performed as they fight on ground among twenty four martial arts written in Muyedobotongji (Korean Martial Art Book) at the Hwaseong Haenggung Palace.

The Jarasum International Jazz Festival is held every October on the beautiful Jaraseom Island in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do. During the festival world-famous jazz artists come together to delight audiences with the smooth vibes of live jazz.The festival was designated as one of the “Outstanding Festivals” for three consecutive years by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and as one of the “Top Festivals” in 2014. As a Green Life Honorary Ambassador, the festival is also passionate about environment protection. In order to share the external growth with the community, the festival holds a Gapyeong band contest, publishes a Gapyeong restaurant guidebook, and produces Jazz Makgeolli and Jazz Wine made from the region’s products.

Art craft has always existed as an art with the combination of beauty being in the part of our lives. Its dynamic and changeable features depend on various culture, materials, technic, and methods throughout long period of time from over the world. First started in 1999, the Cheongju International Craft Biennale this year is taking place for the ninth time. This year, the biennale has a theme of "HANDS+ : Expansion & Coexistence" as it aims to explore the theme of “coexistence,” where traditional and modern technical developments exist together as equals in a category no longer of the individual but of community. With that, four exhibits, symposiums & lectures, experience program, performance and cultural event will also be taking place in the 2015 Cheongju International Craft Biennale.

Everland hosts the Tulip Festival to mark the onset of spring from March to April each year. Over 1.2 million tulips in 100 different varieties including Apeldoon, Synaeda Blue and Pink Diamond will be on display. The amusement park awaits guests to visits the themed garden, featuring sculptures and paths adorned with beautiful spring flowers. One of the most popular photo zones is the 26 meter-tall Flower Magic Tower, and as night falls, the LED Musical Rose Garden where LED roses are lighted in various colors, accompanied with dynamic background music can be uniquely enjoyed.

Dream Concert will be held in Seoul World Cup Stadium located in Seongsan-dong, Mapo-gu at 6:00PM. Popular idol groups such as SHINee, EXO, 4Miute, Infinite, VIXX, B1A4, Sistar, Red Velvet, T-ARA, EXID, and others will appear in the concerts as the first line-up. Further notice for the second line-up, including more stars, will be announced later. Inquiries and reservation regarding ticket are available on the official website.* E-mail (English): ejgo@lottejb.com* Homepage (English): www.lottejtb.net (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)  

Busan’s beautiful port city of Daebyeonhang Port sees the richest harvest of anchovies in Korea, especially in the months of April and May, therefore holds the Busan Gijang Anchovy Festival during this period. Daebyeonghang Port is also the film location for the 2001 box office hit movie featuring Jang Dong Gun and Yu Osung. The scene where Jang Dong Gun reminisces about his childhood memory of swimming in the ocean near a lighthouse while smoking a cigarette was filmed at this very location. The beautiful clear sea decorated with a lighthouse is not only popular during the Anchovy Festival, but is also a popular tourist attraction all year round.Event Programs: As a symbol of the fact that the festival is held by the sea, the Gijang Anchovy Festival begins with a fishermen’s parade around the port while carrying nets and other fishing equipment, while the fishermen themselves dress up in traditional fishing outfits which are white Hanbok. Gijang Anchovy Festival also offers rich seafood dishes, and visitors can enjoy the most fresh anchovy hoe (raw fish) in the area during its peak season. Pickled anchovy with seaweed is also a popular dish, and cuttlefish and cutless fish are also popular spring catches of Daebyeonhang. An outdoor food market offers a variety of hoe (raw fish) dishes, soups, and baked foods at moderate prices with an incredible view of the ocean.At nights, a musical performance is held with music, singing, and dancing, adding to the evening excitement. For even more fun, colorful fireworks light up the sky and give pleasure to the evening events. The Gijang Anchovy Festival is smaller in scale and simpler compared to other festivals, but it doesn’t diminish the spirit of fun at one of Korea’s cleanest ocean villages.Festival Highlights: For Korean movie fans, watch the 2001 box office hit to add more enjoyment to your trip. Comparing the red lighthouse and Daebyeonhang’s clean ocean waters to the scenes in the movie offers another sort of fun. Of course, the Anchovy Festival is fun as well if you don’t end up watching the movie. Buying a freshly caught fish and having it served on the spot is definitely the highlight of the festival.

The Gaya Culture Festival is a historical and cultural festival of Gimhae-si, whose long history and tradition is based on the Geumgwan Gaya, a leading power among the six Gaya groups. The festival is well known at home and abroad.King Kim Suro founded Gaya in A.D. 42 and married Heo Hwang-ok, a princess from the Indian country of Ayuta, in A.D. 48. This was the first known international marriage in the history of the Korean Peninsula. Gaya was quite advanced in the production of earthenware and iron implements, and traded with neighboring countries like China, Nakrang, and Japan. It thrived as a center of international exchange in Northeast Asia, and its culture was also remarkably developed.Gimhae, the birthplace of the Gaya culture, has a long history and unique culture. Through the Gaya Culture Festival, the region is continuing to preserve, build on, and develop the Gaya culture and heritage. The Gaya Culture Festival asserts Gaya’s rightful place alongside the Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla kingdoms.

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout) Ice Festival will be taking place at Hwacheon county in Gangwon-do. This virtually untouched region is known as the first area in Korea that freezes over in winter, and the river is covered with a thick layer of ice. Visitors can try ice fishing, and those who are feeling brave can try to catch the mountain trout with their bare hands. Many other fun activities and performances are available, including an exhibition of ice sculptures that took 20 weeks to prepare. Visitors can also sample raw and grilled mountain trout, both of which are delicious.