Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

As the master country of Taekwondo, Chuncheon Open International Taekwondo Championships provide the opportunity for Taekwondo artists from all over the world to demonstrate their Taekwondo skills. The championships are held every other year.Description: The championships are categorized into three divisions: Gyeorugi, Gyeongyeon, and Color Belts Gyeorugi. The Gyeorugi Division has the most contestants, and is sectioned into male/female, junior/senior, and children. The Color Belts Gyeorugi Division is open to only foreign contestants over the age of 14 years.The Gyeongyeon Division includes Sonnal Gyeokpa which uses only a single hand-surface, the Jumeok which uses the fists, and the Jonghap Gyeokpa. Also in the Gyeongyeon Division are the Creative Pumsae, which uses the basic elements of Taekwondo, Taekwondo Gymnastics and Hosinsul.Other related events also scheduled are the Taekwondo Demonstration, Sports Dance, Street Demonstrations, and more.Championships Highlights: The festival is an international festival with its an overriding Taekwondo theme, now an official Olympic Sport and Korea’s native martial arts. The festival consists of welcoming, opening and closing ceremonies, and of course the championships themselves. The most attractive feature about this festival is that Taekwondo fans can see the world’s leading Taekwondo artists up-close.The host city of Chuncheon is also surrounded by many major tourist attractions such as Namiseom Island and Cheongpyeongsa Temple, which visitors can enjoy along with the festival.


Seoul(Mapo-gu) , Yeouido・Yeongdeungpo・Mapo

B-Boy City in Seoul “Kung” is a non-verbal musical performance that tells the story of the dance group Gorilla Crew. The main character, Hochan, anguishes about the stark reality he is facing as a dancer. Through dynamic performances, the B-boys Hyeonmun, Donghui and Seongtaek relate their agony, happiness, and passion for dancing.Gorilla Crew had won previous acclaim as a talented dancing team for well-known performances such as “Ballerina Who Loves B-boy” and “Return.” The performance's energizing mix of dance techniques is certain to delight audiences.*Note: Due to the MERS outbreak, some performances will be discontinued until August, 2015; please call to confirm.


Jeollabuk-do(Muju-gun)

For 7 days in June, National Taekwondowon in Muju, Jeollabuk-do brings competitors from over 170 countries to compete in Muju WTF World Taekwondo Championships. Visitors can watch non-stop competitions from 16 weight divisions (eight each for men and women), and also enjoy various taekwondo performances and many other events.


Chungcheongnam-do(Geumsan-gun)

The Geumsan Insam Festival is held annually in Geumsan County (Chungcheongnam-do), the largest producer of ginseng in Korea. Growing both in content and in size, the festival was selected as a cultural and tourism festival by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Sports in 1996 and became established as a national festival. With the rising popularity of the festival, the marvelous effects of Geumsan ginseng have become known throughout the nation, drawing an increasing number of local and foreign tourists every year. The festival also holds special exhibitions and sets up booths where people can try some of the various health therapies. Aside from the exhibitions, exciting events, performances, and delicious food are sure to please visitors.


Jeju-do(Jeju-si) , SinJeju

NANTA has been running since October 1997 and is the most popular show ever in Korea. It also has achieved outstanding international success, having been performed on Broadway and around the US and the rest of the world. It receives rave reviews wherever it performs, and quickly sells out.Without any dialogue, but through the rhythmic banging of knives, pots and pans, NANTA (or Cookin’ according to the American name) tells the story of four crazy chefs who have been set on an impossible  mission of making a wedding banquet in just one hour. What follows is pure musical mayhem, and they even manage to fit in a love story! The show is based on Korea’s traditional garak (rhythms) of samulnori (traditional Korean percussion quartet), and can be enjoyed by the whole family.NANTA is currently being performed at the Gangnam NANTA Theater, with performances from Tuesday to Sunday every week.*NoteDue to the MERS outbreak, some performances will be discontinued until July 2015. Please call to confirm.


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

This popular festival is held every year in November at Moseulpo Port, the southernmost region of Jeju-do Island. It celebrates the ‘Bangeo Fish (yellowtail)’, which is largely caught in this area. The meat of ‘bangeo fish (yellowtail)’ is chewy and tender, and so it is very popular served raw. It is also used in a variety of other dishes. Visitors can enjoy fresh bangeo at the festival and then pack some up to take home.Visitors can also try fishing and also sample some of Jeju’s other specialty foods such as heukdweji-gogigui (grilled wild boar meat), galchijorim (cutlass fish boiled in soy sauce with spices), and more. Don’t forget to admire the beautiful natural sceneries near the festival grounds and explore some of the many popular tourist attractions in Jeju. 


Gyeonggi-do(Anseong-si) , Anseong

Namsadang Baudeogi Festival, a popular culture and art festival, will be held in the hub of art and culture in Anseong. Since it first started in 2001, this festival has been promoting the preservation of the tradition of Namsadang (troupes of entertainers who traveled around the country). It also became the official festival of CIOFF (International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts) in 2006.Based on the Namsadang Baudeogi, Anseong World Folkloriada (안성세계민속축전) is considered as the most successful festival ever, drawing seven hundred thousand visitors. In 2013, It has been renamed as the Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi Festival and will be held at Anseong Matchum Land.During the festival, visitors can look forward to parades, performances, hands-on activities, exhibitions and contests. Programs include a Baudeogi (leader of one of the best Namsadang groups) memorial ceremony, parades, an opening ceremony, special autumn events, guerilla performances, the Anseong citizen Beona dolligi (dish spinning), themed village and connecting farm village experience programs, etc.


Gyeonggi-do() , Icheon

The Gyeonggi International CeraMIX Biennale first started in 2001 and has continued to contribute to the field of ceramics by showcasing hidden talents and allowing artists to experiment with their art. In a further attempt to push the boundaries of ceramic art, the festival in 2011 encouraged artists to expand their art by using elements from other art genres.This 2015 festival’s theme will be called “Color: Ceramic Spectrum,” and it will demonstrate the creative aspect of ceramic arts. Generally, the word ‘color’ carries a physical and optical connotation, but this festival intends to expand the term’s meaning into a more idiomatic definition that encompasses the concepts of classifying objects and defining identity. Thus, the meaning of ‘color’ is portrayed by the artists’ own expression and artistic attitude at the festival. This festival divides color into three categories: “Isaek” (이색; distinctive color), which focuses on new trends and possibilities of ceramic art; “Chaesaek” (채색; multicolored), which shows modern ceramic art through a combination of other genres; and “Bonsaek” (본색; traditional color), which reflects the traditional factors of the three East Asian countries, connecting the past, present, and future of ceramics.※ The festival is held every second year.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

Held every August, Ulleungdo Cuttlefish Festival is a fun event promoting its outstanding local produce, cuttlefish. The festival on the beautiful island attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. Symbolizing the island, fish gathering lamps from cuttlefish boats shed an elegant glow on the sea at night. The main events of the festival include catching cuttlefish in the sea against the scenic backdrop of the island, riding on a cuttlefish boat, and eating delicious cuttlefish dishes. The festival also offers a fun array of events for visitors: Fishing Contest, Catching Mudfish, Walking on Traditional Roads, and Playing Pumpkin Taffy. In addition, visitors can purchase local produce at Local Produce Market, eat delicious food at Restaurant Market, and enjoy Ulleungdo Island/Dokdo Island Exhibition.  


Seoul(Mapo-gu)

The annual Haneul Park Sunrise Festival takes place at Haneul Park on January 1. Many people gather every year to bid farewell to the passing year and wish a happy New Year.