Jeollanam-do(Haenam-gun)

Uldolmok was the location of a naval battle 418 years ago, when 13 naval forces of Admiral Yi Sun-sin ran into 133 Japanese Naval forces and defeated them. The Japanese Navel force was planning on continuing to Hanyang (modern-day Seoul) after they won the battle in Namhae (South) sea at Uldolmok. The residents of Jeolla-do are the hidden helpers attributed to this victory, as they brought out their food and fishing boats to help the admiral and his naval forces. This battle is called ‘Myeongryangdaecheop’. The victory put an end to the Imjin War and saved the nation of Korea, which was hang on to its independence by a thread. Jeollanam-do hosts the Great Battle of Myeongryang Festival to commemorate the victory of Myeongryanghaejeon and celebrate the spirits of Yi Sun-sin and the residents of Jeolla-do who saved the country. Various programs are prepared for visitors of all ages to give them a feel of the real historical scene.


Chungcheongnam-do(Nonsan-si)

Ganggyeong Salted Seafood Festival is known for its freshest and finest quality, which is made with recipes handed down from from generation to generation, retaining the unique, authentic taste of salted fermented fish.All the ingredients are imported directly and prepared in modern facilities. Today, the market accounts for half of the nation’s total sales of salted seafood.The Ganggyeong Festival has grown to become a major industrial festival in Korea, and originally started off in an effort to boost local economy and enhance the fish market merchants’ incomes in 1997 when the IMF financial crisis hit the nation. Salted fish merchants made the festival in a large-scale, getting bigger and better each year.Especially since 2007, the festival has changed its official title to Ganggyeong Fermented Seafood Festival. The festival has in the spotlight and has now established itself as a healthy fermented food item in the world food market, breaking away from the notion of being simply salted, preserved food.


Seoul(Seocho-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

Byulbyul Yeonhee is a gukak festival where citizens can sit back, relax, and enjoy traditional Korean culture. The performance groups who will showcase their talents to audiences were selected through a competition. As a more modern take on traditional music, the National Gukak Center Art Company aims to have Korea's traditional elements appeal to a wider audience. -Courtesy of Performing Arts Market in Seoul


Gyeonggi-do(Suwon-si) , suwon

The annual Suwon Theatre Festival features diverse shows showcasing contemporary theater and events including an exhibition, vocal performances and citizen-led programs. The festival offers participants the opportunity to step into a historic space in the city of Suwon. The venue also features creative decorations using materials from recycled vehicles, tires and fabric. Individuals and families will be able to enjoy the range of events at the festival, located at a UNESCO World Heritage site.  


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)

The Yeongju Seonbi Culture Festival takes place from early to mid May every year at the Seonbichon Village and Korean Seonbi Culture Training Center in Sunheung-myeon, Yeongju-si. A celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony is held on the first day, marking the beginning of the festivities. Other activities included a calligraphy performance, Seonghaksipdo Pangakgoyje ceremony and a bibimbap performance added more fun and entertainment to the first day. Following the opening celebration, a special parade entitled ‘Shinbaram Street Parade’ inspired by the ideals, spirit and patriotism of Sambong Jeong Do-Jeon (one of the major figures in Yeongju) takes place. Other festival events include Jangseong (traditional totem pole) sculpting competition, Sobaeksan Mountain Trail Hiking, Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) Cooking Competition, traditional wedding ceremony for multi-cultural families, Hanbok (Korean traditional costume) fashion show, writing contest, children’s Seonbi exercise presentation, traditional head of the family cuisine exhibition, and a concert at an time-honored traditional house. Details on programs are subject to change for each year.


Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si) , Paju(Heyri Art valley)

The theme of this festival is ‘soybeans’, a health food that has long been popular in Korea. In particular, the ‘Jangdan Soybeans’ produced in the Paju province have always been highly regarded for their taste and outstanding nutritional value and were even served to the king. Furthermore, in the early 20th Century, the 'Jangdan Soybeans’ were designated as the most superior soybeans in Korea and were distributed throughout the country.During the festival visitors can taste the soybeans and learn how to make dishes made from soybeans including tteok (rice cakes), tofu, and preserved soybeans.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Goesan-gun)

The Goesan Red Pepper Festival is held during harvest season to promote the excellence of peppers grown in Goesan, a major production area of Korea. The festival has numerous programs, including pepper-picking and fish-catching contest (using the bare hands), pepper recipe competition, pepper cooking contest, and garden pepper planting. Brightly colored and full of flavor, Korean peppers are a particularly popular agricultural product. This is a fun festival where visitors can taste or buy Korean peppers, and talk with farmers. Main Event Prayer ritual for a rich year and residents' peace in the county, opening performance, KBS National singing Contest, recreations, etc. Exhibition Exhibition of worldwide pepper, exhibition of food made with pepper, etc. Hands-on program Catching weatherfishes with their bare hands, pepper fishing, pepper kite-flying, culture experience of multi-cultural family, experience center for well-being health, etc.


Busan(Haeundae-gu) , Haeundae

G-Star 2012 is a global game exhibition taking place from November 8th through 11th at BEXCO in Busan. It is hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) of Korea together with the Busan Municipal City, and aims to improve the domestic game industry and introduce new gaming trends and the latest technologies. This year, 434 companies from 31 countries (the largest scale to date) will participate in the event under the theme of ‘Game, Touching the World’ Along with the game exhibition, there will be various programs including a business consulting session, recruitment fair, networking party, seminars and talks, game zone, Korea-China Game Culture Festival and so on. Admission is 6,000 won for adults and 3,000 won for children. Tickets are available online (Interpark) and at the door.


Jeollanam-do(Wando-gun)

Designated as the first Slow City in Asia, Cheongsando in Wando-gun hosts the annual Cheongsando Slow Walk Festival. The festival is held every April, which is the best time of the year to enjoy the canola blossoms and barley with the sea in the background. During the festival, visitors can participate in various cultural events and exhibitions, and enjoy the spring scenery.


Jeju-do(Jeju-si) , Former Jeju

Located in the area of Doduhang Port, Jeju Dodu Oraemul Festival is the sole festival in the area, the theme of which is one of Jeju’s regional resources, “yongcheonsu" (spring water), also known as “dodu oraemul." The festival provides unique hands-on programs available only in Dodu-dong, as well as delicious food to enjoy and other entertaining activities for tourists and residents.