Korea Events: Exhibitions, Pop-ups & Performances | NowHitz · 3

Receipt seating

Receipts from small businesses in Seoul, dated this October, must total at least 30,000 won. Several receipts can be combined, and they are checked at an on-site booth on the day.

Verified visitors sit in the front “Sangsaeng Zone.” Those without receipts can still watch for free but are seated in a different area.

Friday, Oct. 16

The traditional music stage “Pungnyu Seoul” features Kim Su-in, Ko Young-yeol, Yoo Tae-pyeong-yang and Lee Bong-geun.

The pop stage “Soul Seoul” features Lee Mu-jin, Kassy, Gummy and Kim Kwang-jin.

Saturday, Oct. 17

The 2026 K-Pop Cover Dance Festival World Final takes place, with finalist teams from 13 countries.

A street dance show, “Seoul Street Wave,” follows. A booth showcasing small and medium-sized business products chosen by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups will also operate.

Purpose

Seoul officials say they want the event to bring customers to restaurants, cafes and shops around City Hall and to build night-time cultural tourism. Min Su-hong, head of the city’s Culture Headquarters, said the city aims to turn rich cultural experiences into a livelier night economy.

Reports did not describe a separate process for foreign visitors. The receipt check is the only seating rule announced.

Dates and route

Nowon District is holding the seventh edition of the public-art light festival along a 1.3-kilometer stretch of Danghyeoncheon, from Danghyeon 1 Bridge near Junggye Station to Yangji Bridge.

It opened with a lighting ceremony at Danghyeon-maru on the 16th and continues until Nov. 8.

Artworks

Twenty-four Korean artist teams are showing more than 30 works under the theme “New Moon.”

Gadget Workshop’s “Pulse of the Earth” stands at the stream’s floor-fountain plaza, and “Moon Gate” is at Yangji Bridge. Works by Kim Chang-gyeom, Eom Hyeok-yong and Lee Gil-rae are also on show.

Programs

Weekend performances are scheduled, along with moonlight tours led by resident guides. Tailored guided programs are offered for groups and visitors with disabilities.

“Pulse of the Earth” becomes a pop-up playground on the 20th, 22nd and 29th.

Visitor notes

Nowon District says about 1.32 million people visited last year. The Seoul culture calendar lists this year’s admission as free.

Hours and some programs may change, so check the Seoul culture calendar and Nowon District notices.

Dates and venue

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said the festival will take place around Haneul Park in World Cup Park from Oct. 17 to 23. This year’s theme is “Silver grass, nature’s comfort.”

Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. FT Sports reported that an opening ceremony and celebration performance are scheduled for 6 p.m. on Oct. 17.

What is on

According to Fun Seoul, the opening ceremony includes a lighting show and a celebration performance. A busking zone at the central stage hosts acts from different genres.

There is also an activity zone with hands-on programs such as making silver grass bouquets, photo spots and a wish zone where visitors write and hang wishes. A “Re-born” market sells upcycled goods and silver grass products.

Getting there

Seoul advises taking Line 6 to World Cup Stadium Station or Mapo-gu Office Station and walking up, about 40 minutes.

The Maenggongi electric car leaves from the Nanjicheon Park parking lot. FT Sports reported a round-trip fare of 3,000 won for adults and 2,200 won for children. The city urged visitors to use public transport because of congestion.

Driving and inquiries

FT Sports reported that Nanjicheon Park Parking Lot 1 is closest to the electric car ticket booth. Parking fees differ between sources, so follow on-site notices.

Inquiries go to the Seobu Park Leisure Center (02-300-5574).

From tool shops to cafés

The Korea Tourism Organization describes Bujeon-dong and Jeonpo-dong as an area once known for shops selling tools, hardware and industrial supplies. Small cafés began arriving after 2010, and the area became known as Café Street.

Visit Busan notes that tool shops still operate alongside cafés and restaurants.

Dates and hours

This year’s festival, themed ‘커피로 잇는 전포의 10년’ (“ten years of Jeonpo connected by coffee”), runs October 17 and 18 around Jeonpo Café Street.

According to Busanjin-gu’s official notice, hours are noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The opening ceremony is at 4 p.m. on October 17 on a temporary stage beside Norimaru’s main gate. Sunday closes two hours earlier than Saturday.

The poster attached to the district notice gives the venue as Jeonpo Café Street around Jeonpo Norimaru, with the merchants’ associations of Jeonpo Café Street, Jeonpo Gongu-gil (tool street) and Jeonpo Saitgil cooperating. Busanjin-gu posted a 26-second promotional video on its official YouTube channel on October 7.

Overseas and market booths

Coffee and dessert vendors from Jeonpo and the wider Busan area will be joined by booths for invited baristas from Japan, Taiwan and elsewhere. Kookje Shinmun and other outlets reported that the overseas booths will feature coffee from Japan, Taiwan, Costa Rica and Ethiopia. The district notice also lists market booths.

Origins and roasts vary by booth, and no single origin or flavor is offered everywhere; each booth’s menu lists what it serves.

Classes and seminars

The Korea Tourism Organization lists hand-drip sessions, master brewing classes and barista seminars in this year’s program. Its festival page, updated September 30, also lists a coffee seminar, a ‘Coffee Golden Bell’ quiz, and hands-on booths for caricatures and hand-drip brewing classes.

As of the evening of October 15, session times, fees and sign-up methods had not been posted on official channels. The festival office can confirm times, capacity and fees.

Music and events

Busanjin-gu has announced Jeonpo Brewing Radio, Jeonpo Live Festa and a stamp tour. Kookje Shinmun also reported a Jeonpo Music Lounge and an event using receipts from local businesses.

The district notice lists a stamp tour, a ‘Black and White Barista’ event and a roulette game, and the Korea Tourism Organization page adds an auction. Participating shops and conditions for the stamp and receipt events will be posted on site.

Places nearby

Bao Haus (62-9 Seojeon-ro 38beon-gil), a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, serves Taiwanese bao and lu rou fan and does not take reservations. Cor Pasta Bar (2F, 13 Dongseong-ro 25beon-gil), also a Bib Gourmand, serves house-made pasta at an open-kitchen counter and requires one drink per person.

Cafés featured by Visit Busan include Fruto Fruta (28 Jeonpo-daero 224beon-gil) for peach smoothies and melon shakes; Cafe Haian (62-4 Seojeon-ro 46beon-gil), known for a ‘brick cake’ cracked open with a small mallet; and Sa, Yeobaek, Chatjan (20 Seojeon-ro 67beon-gil), a café styled like an old stationery shop that serves old-fashioned patbingsu. Expect crowds and possible changes to opening hours during the festival.

Getting there and contacts

The festival covers the area around Jeonpo-daero 209beon-gil in Busanjin-gu. Visit Busan gives 26 Jeonpo-daero 209beon-gil (부산 부산진구 전포대로209번길 26) as the Café Street address, a six-minute walk from Exit 7 of Jeonpo Station on Metro Line 2.

Entry is free; drinks and desserts at booths are paid separately. The organiser, at 051-605-4522, can answer questions about class fees and booking, overseas phone numbers and cards, English or Japanese assistance, and accessibility.

As of the evening of October 15, Busanjin-gu, the Korea Tourism Organization and Visit Busan had not announced road closures, shuttle buses or a wet-weather plan. Public transport is the simplest option.

Opening night and light show

The festival fills the Seoul Amsa-dong Prehistoric Site (875 Olympic-ro) and Amsa Historical Park under the theme 'The Beginning of Seoul, Amsa'. After sunset on all three nights, light, music and video are projected along the site trail and onto the museum’s outer wall.

The opening ceremony is on the afternoon of October 16 at the main stage, followed by a drone show and performances by Space A, Wax and Seol Un-do. Gangdong-gu said it is the only Seoul festival selected as a Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism preliminary festival for 2026–2027.

Lee Se-dol talk, closing fireworks

On October 17, the Gangdong-gu arts troupe performs and Baewijeol Village’s Hosangnori, a Seoul intangible heritage, is re-enacted.

On October 18, Lee Se-dol gives a talk concert titled 'A Divine Move' at the forest stage. The main stage hosts the 'Seonsa Rock Festival' and closing performances by Shin Hyo-beom, So Chan-whee and Nam Jin, followed by fireworks.

Activities and hours

At the entrance, the Time Slip Handcrafted Market features work by emerging artists on themes from the Paleolithic and Neolithic to the future. Inside the site, 'Land of Clay' offers a Neolithic archaeology experience school, and there is a prehistoric barbecue.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (from 3 p.m. on October 16), according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Admission is free; some activities charge a fee. Inquiries: 02-3425-5247; website gdsunsa.com. The announcements did not include transit directions or foreign-language support.

Opening-day procession

The festival opens at 10:30 a.m. on October 16, when the Sato (magistrate) procession sets out from the Mapo-gu Office plaza for Pyeonghwa Plaza. A re-enactment recreates the yellow-sailed boats that once carried salted shrimp into Mapo Naru.

About 20 foreign participants join residents to make kimchi, and Jung Dong-ha, the Hong Kyung-min Band, Ali and Maya perform.

Shrimp sales and activities

Sales booths rise from 8 last year to 12, selling yukjeot, ojeot and chujeot (shrimp salted in different seasons) from Ganggyeong, Gwangcheon, Sinan, Buan and Sokcho. Mapo-gu said prices are set 10–15% below market. Shrimp catching, saeujeot making and a saeujeot auction run throughout the festival.

On October 17, 38 children help roll a 19 m shrimp gimbap to mark the 19th edition. The food market adds a shrimp booth serving shrimp pasta and shrimp fried rice, and sister cities and local co-ops run 14 specialty booths.

Bossam feast and fireworks

October 18 brings a bossam feast for about 200 people and a closing stage, ending with fireworks and a laser show. The Seoul Silver Grass Festival runs at the same time in nearby Haneul Park.

Reports did not give admission fees, opening hours or public transport details; Mapo-gu posts notices. Leaflets with an English-guide QR code will be handed out, and English leaflets will be placed at local tourist information centres. There is no separate foreign-language program this year; interpretation is under consideration from next year’s 20th festival.

Inside the shop

The entrance traces Kakao Pay’s work with small businesses. The central Atelier displays raw ingredients instead of finished products: small, muddy carrots for a carrot-leaf tea brand and a wooden paddle heaped with sesame seeds for a sesame and perilla oil maker.

QR codes on brand cards link to online stores. The 100 brands are grouped into five themes: tradition, taste, everyday lifestyle, eco-friendly and regional makers.

The 1,000-won experience

The 1,000-won fee buys two coins. One goes into a lucky draw for discount coupons worth at least 1,000 won; the other buys Orae Hansang, a small spread of tea or coffee and snacks from the shop’s food brands, served on the outdoor Orae Square.

Proceeds from the fee and from paid shopping bags go to a fund for small businesses.

Visitor information

The shop is at 8-27 Yeonmujang 3-gil, Seongdong-gu, and is open until October 31. Pop-up guide Popga lists hours of 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Brands pay no commission. Kakao Pay said the campaign, launched in June 2023, has connected 264 brands with more than 400,000 customers. Small-batch items can sell out. Foreign card payment and English support have not been confirmed.

Shops and layout

It is the third offline pop-up from Zigzag, the platform run by Kakao Style. The first floor groups products from 39 shops into six themes: daily casual, feminine, vintage casual, street casual, modern chic and all-size.

The second floor shows autumn pieces from 11 Zigzag-exclusive shops, including Realcoco, Laroom and Edmore. There are 10 fitting rooms.

Buying and delivery

Shoppers can pay on site or scan the QR code on a tag to order through the Zigzag app. Every item at the pop-up qualifies for Jikjin Baesong, Zigzag’s next-day delivery.

The venue has a poster zone and a mirror photo spot, and a lucky-box draw uses photos taken there.

Visitor information

Kakao Style said advance reservations were sold out and that walk-ins would be admitted. Opening hours and on-site queuing were not in the announcement; the Zigzag app posts notices.

Anderson C Seongsu is a vintage furniture store at 36 Seongsuil-ro 6-gil, Seongdong-gu. Related discounts in the Zigzag app run until October 25. Foreign card payment and English support have not been confirmed.

What the ritual is

Saengjeon means “during one’s lifetime.” The Korea Heritage Agency describes Saengjeon Yesujae as a Buddhist ritual in which living people pray for rebirth in the Pure Land after death.

This year’s public program is the hoeyang, the conclusion of a 49-day period of prayer. The two days open to the public are the final part of that observance.

Order of the two days

The first day includes the opening Sinjung Jakbeop rites, the procession of a large hanging Buddhist painting and a ritual tablet, preparation of the ritual space, a Buddhist ceremony and a joint recitation of the Diamond Sutra.

The second day moves through rites at the middle, lower and spirit altars and ends with the closing send-off. The two days follow different sequences rather than repeating one program. The photograph is an archival image from a past ceremony supplied by the Korea Heritage Agency, not from this year’s event.

Visitor information

The public ceremony runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on October 18 and 19, 2026, on the temple grounds. The official listing says on-site viewing is free. The address is 531 Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul; inquiries: 02-3218-4975.

The listing covers viewing only; it does not include participation in the rites, seating or foreign-language interpretation. Visitors should keep clear of the ceremony and worshippers.

The collaboration

Heyep is an accessory brand created by Korean and Japanese designers. The collaboration carries its decorative style over to cosmetics packaging.

The silver heart case comes with a key-shaped charm, so the makeup container can be carried like an accessory.

The products

Padlock Multi Color Balm is for the eyes, cheeks and lips. The kit includes a ball chain and charms for attaching the case to a bag or pouch. The official product image shows the heart case, the key-shaped charm and a black box.

Also in the collection, Expressive Eyes EX08 is an eye palette of nine brown-toned shades in matte, glitter and shiny finishes.

Where to buy

According to the announcement, the collection is sold at Celvoke stores and selected Cosme Kitchen stores in Japan. Celvoke’s Japanese online store began sales at 10 a.m. Japan time on October 15. The announcement did not include a Korean release.

The design turns a container normally kept inside a pouch into an ornament hung outside it.

The stories

The book collects 11 stories, from Park’s early work to her final story, with a translator’s commentary. Because it is a newly assembled Japanese selection, its contents may differ from a Korean collection with the same title.

Series and edition

The series, with Saito selecting and translating, is planned at five volumes. The ISBN is 9784309619118, and the publisher’s page lists the edition and retailers. International shipping and individual-store stock have not been confirmed.

The range

Hangang is paired with the Madecassoside line, Namsan with PDRN, and Bukchon with the Collagen and Tea Tree lines. The edition includes three pads, three Derma Serums and Collagen Capsule Patch Retinol, for seven products.

Manufacturer L&P Cosmetic announced the same edition in Japan on October 14. It went on sale in Korea on October 1.

Gifts with special sets

According to the Seoul city government, special Derma Pad sets come with a pouch and special Derma Serum and eye-patch sets with a luggage tag, each in one of three randomly assigned designs. The back of the pouch carries a list of things to do in Seoul.

The product photo shows the full range, not the contents of a single set.

Where to buy

The city lists Olive Young stores nationwide, Seoul My Soul Shop, DDP Design Store and the DDP online store. Current prices, store stock, overseas card acceptance and shipping terms have not been confirmed.