Exploring the Wangsaengro Light Festival

Original source: blog.naver.com

Comments 0 Views 11 Date 2026-10-16 12:01

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On October 3rd, the first day of the National Foundation Day holiday, I visited Wangsaengro in Ulsan’s Nam-gu.

This year, the light festival, which was previously held at Taehwa River, moved to Wangsaengro and was held for the first time under the name 'Wangsaengro Light Street Festival.'

I heard that the normally busy road in front of the Nam-gu Office would be entirely pedestrianized.

My companions and I set off in the afternoon and enjoyed the festival until nightfall.

The weather was quite cloudy, but the blue sky peeked through, making it perfect for walking.

The street trees were just beginning to change colors, with hints of orange at the tips of the leaves. To sum it up, the atmosphere was completely different between day and night, and staying from the afternoon to the evening was a great choice.

I picked up a pamphlet at the venue. The crown logo with an illustration resembling a road was so cute that I decided to take one home.

The festival area is divided into two main sections. The Wangsaengro road area in front of the Nam-gu Office features experience booths, a flea market, photo zones, and street performances, while the adjacent Cultural Park contains the main stage, rides, a big mirror ball, and food trucks.

We checked the layout before moving around, which made navigating much easier.

The schedule posted on-site indicated that the performances at the Cultural Park and the street performances on Wangsaengro were on separate rotations, allowing us to enjoy the festival by timing our movements accordingly.

In the daytime, the entrance to the festival featured an arch with a sparkling canopy hanging below it. After passing through the arch, booths and tables lined the road, and even in the afternoon, there were quite a few people.

Families with strollers, couples holding hands, and groups of friends were all present.

In the middle of the road, a wooden standing table was set up with string lights hanging above it. During the day, it was just a wooden table, but at night, when the lights turned on, the atmosphere changed dramatically.

At the entrance to the walking path near Cultural Park, there was a sign for 'Wangsaengi-gil.' The name Wangsaengro is said to mean 'land where the king is born,' and the festival incorporated this theme throughout.

Wooden booths with striped canopies lined the road, showcasing a variety of items from clothing and socks to handmade pet treats, making it fun to browse.

The youth market booths from Sinjeong Peace Market were also there, featuring shops like 'Bookpida,' 'Pure Flower Tea,' and 'Cloud Cotton,' with many products aimed at children.

The Ulsan Nam-gu Craft Association booth sold pottery and glass art. The handmade bowls and stained glass lamps were visibly crafted with care.

This festival had an unexpectedly high number of free experience booths. The chalk drawing area was particularly picturesque, allowing attendees to sit on the asphalt and draw freely, with both children and adults getting involved.

In the bubble playground, kids were creating giant bubbles, which delighted onlookers.

Next to it, there was a booth with a giant Jenga made of boxes and digital tattoos available for guests.

The coloring booth had children focused on their artwork at each table. Nearby, a memo board titled 'Wangsaengro Wishes!' allowed citizens to write their wishes on sticky notes and post them.

One of the festival's highlights was the 'Who will be the king?' photo zone, featuring a throne-like chair in front of a modern interpretation of the 'Ilwolobongdo' background.

Next to it, the 'King Costume Rental' booth allowed visitors to dress up and take photos, with a variety of costumes available, including formal attire.

Across from the photo zone was a large mural asking 'Who will be the king?' where everyone could fill in their imagined king's face.

As I walked around, I was surprised to see a performer dressed in traditional garb floating in mid-air, holding onto a pole, captivating the passersby.

In front of the Wangsaengro operation headquarters, a busking stage added to the festive atmosphere, replacing the usual car sounds with music.

Food trucks lined one side of the road, offering snacks like French fries and spiral potatoes at reasonable prices. There were also ample seating areas with white umbrellas across the street.

Inside Cultural Park, there were additional food trucks, making it convenient to grab a bite while exploring the festival.

The park's walking path was lined with a red carpet, adorned with colorful garlands overhead, creating a picturesque scene for photos.

As the evening approached, the festival transformed into a vibrant night market, with lights illuminating the booths and creating a festive atmosphere.

As the main stage opened for the evening, the crowd gathered, eagerly awaiting the performances, especially the highlight of the night featuring Min Kyung-hoon.

This festival was a delightful blend of family-friendly activities during the day and a romantic evening atmosphere after sunset, making it a memorable experience.

Overall, the Wangsaengro Light Festival was a fantastic event, and I hope to return next year to enjoy all the performances!