Feature "Visit Suwon for Chuseok Holiday"...Media Art Bathed in Light 'Ayou Gabin (我有嘉賓)'

Suwon City, which declared the '2026 Suwon Visit Year' to establish itself as a world-class tourist destination, has entered the 'peak tourism season.' This is because large-scale attractions and festivals are concentrated in the fall.

In particular, the 2026 Suwon Hwaseong Media Art among the three major festivals has cut the ribbon for the start. It is an opportunity to satisfy all desires—from dazzling lights and diverse music to enjoyable experiences and leisurely rest, along with delicious food and cherished memories. Suwon City invites everyone to the '2026 Suwon Hwaseong Media Art,' which must be visited during the short Chuseok holiday period.

Suwon Hwaseong Media Art Receives 'Cheers' from Visitors

The 2026 Suwon Hwaseong Media Art marks its sixth year and begins a new story. Concluding five consecutive years of 'Moonlit Thousand Nights: King Jeongjo's Dream Becomes Light' from last year, it introduces the work 'New Light Shared Joy (同樂): Suwon Hwaseong Blooms in Light.' The first season's theme is 'Ayou Gabin (我有嘉賓),' welcoming all viewers as honored guests.

This year's event venue uses the outer fortress wall of Hwaseo Gate and the Northwest Hollow Bastion as the main stage, with the Ongseong wall surrounding Janganmun Gate serving as canvas. Visitors can understand the story intuitively through diverse techniques, enhancing the enjoyment of experiencing light, sound, and effects.

The featured work is 'Light of Connections,' screened at Hwaseo Gate. Seven artists participate, each showcasing their unique works in sequential format, completing one story over approximately 30 minutes. It depicts the process of light from 230 years ago when Suwon Hwaseong began construction transforming into today's Suwon.

As Suwon Hwaseong was built, King Jeongjo made his procession, and through modernization and industrialization, digital photographs, black-and-white screens, vivid colors and watercolor-like scenes, traditional patterns and contemporary techniques, and diverse music blend together. It operates three times daily (7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m.).

Notably, this year all screening sessions include live stage performances in the middle, creating abundant attractions. The performance conducted against the media art backdrop maximizes on-site immersion. Live performances such as Korean dance, ballet, and traditional hat-spinning harmonize with the media art and are expressed fantastically. At the end, all genres come together in a performance where audience members turn on their phone flashlights and participate, completing a festival enjoyed together.

Splendid special effects enhance this year's media art immersion. Scenes of lanterns rising blend with soap bubbles, and the dramatic sequence of a giant whale flying over the audience's heads breaks down stage boundaries and expands space. The elaborate lasers bring out three-dimensionality, and the effect of characters appearing to approach from within the screen leaves a powerful impression.

Also awaiting tourists inside the Janganmun Ongseong wall is the work 'The King's Path, Together.' Everyone can become the protagonist of the procession and pass through the fortress gate.

'Everyone Enjoys in New Light'—Diverse Media Park

Janganpark in front of the fortress wall between Hwaseo Gate and Janganmun Gate has transformed into a massive media festival venue. Visitors and local residents coming to appreciate the media art gather in one place, showcasing the essence of a local festival.

This year, an interactive bidirectional communication media art wall joins visitors in wishing together. The work 'Light of Wishes (登): Light it up' implements scenes where digital lanterns carrying personal wishes and hopeful voices soar. When wishes are shouted into a microphone shaped like a 'soltae,' a village guardian symbol, a digital lantern with the wish inscribed is created on the fortress wall and gradually soars into the sky, offering a special experience.

Other participatory works fill the media park. Lighting art, bubble lights, large Jenga, a fringe stage with small performances, flea markets featuring local merchants, and markets specializing in local brands—visitors will find themselves running out of time as they explore and participate throughout.

In the Botanical Healing Zone decorated with giant flowers and photo zones illuminated with lighting, visitors can relax on bean bags placed throughout while listening to soft music. Additionally, diverse scenic lighting featuring Suwon City's character Suwon-i, butterflies, LOVE letters, lollipop shapes, and wisteria create numerous photo zones perfect for picture-taking.

Moreover, convenient and light snacks are available at this media art event venue, enhancing visitor convenience. Skewers using abalone, chicken, sausage, and fish cake are sold, so visitors can satisfy hunger while enjoying the media art.

Experience More Closely, More Thoroughly, More Specially

If you can visit the Suwon Hwaseong Media Art venue only on weekends or holidays rather than weekdays, advance reservation of paid seating is recommended. At around 600 seats installed at Hwaseo Gate, the main stage, visitors can enjoy the experience comfortably with stable sightlines.

Seating is free on weekdays, but reservations are required for weekends, public holidays, and the day before holiday periods. At 5,000 won per person, it is possible to advance-book popular screening times. Family seating is also available for families with children to use without concern.

To appreciate the magnificent media art with your eyes and go beyond to comprehend its meaning through storytelling, the docent program is recommended. Viewers watch the main media art program at Hwaseo Gate from special seating close to the stage, and professional docents provide explanation of history and culture of works at Janganpark and Janganmun Gate.

The docent program costs 5,000 won on weekdays and 10,000 won on weekends, public holidays, and the day before holidays, with only 20 people enjoying the experience per session. Sessions 1 and 3 operate in Korean while session 2 operates in foreign languages, and departure points differ for each, so careful confirmation is necessary when booking.

It is also possible to make the Suwon Hwaseong Media Art experience even more special through easily accessible events for everyone. Visitors can verify a same-day receipt from 20,000 won or more in purchases at stores in Haenggung-dong or Youngwhwa-dong to receive Hwaseo Gate seating or commemorative items (key rings, etc.). Additionally, visitors who attend the festival in hanbok (traditional Korean dress) receive Hwaseo Gate seating, doubling cherished memories.

'May It Be as Abundant as Chuseok'—Possible in Suwon

There are many reasons to visit Suwon for Chuseok besides the Suwon Hwaseong Media Art. Thanks to public viewing facilities keeping their doors open during the holiday period, Suwon citizens, as well as visitors returning home after a long time and tourists, can fully savor the abundance of the holiday.

Hwaseo Palace, the best for creating a festive atmosphere, opens in the evenings with brightly lit nights. With the palace open until 9:30 p.m., visiting in the evening before or after viewing the Suwon Hwaseong Media Art is recommended. Admission is free if you wear hanbok.

Five facilities—Suwon Museum, Suwon Gwanggyo Museum, Suwon Hwaseong Museum, Suwon Metropolitan Art Museum, and Suwon Metropolitan Art Space Gwanggyo—operate without holidays throughout the holiday period. Particularly on Chuseok itself, all offer free admission, so large families can visit without burden. Visitors can appreciate the international exhibition 'Patricia Piccinini: Kinship' or the collection exhibition 'Blanc Black Panorama' at the art museum, or view various gap exhibitions at each museum telling interesting stories of Suwon.

Both Suwon Arboretums also operate during the holiday period the same as usual. Visiting before the admission closing time allows enjoyable walks in the crisp autumn weather in intimate and leisurely settings. Special exhibitions are underway using fairy tales as medium—Thumbelina at Ilwol Arboretum and Hansel and Gretel at Youngheung Arboretum. Families can create special experiences recalling childlike wonder, leaving them as joyful memories.

Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun stated, "This year's Suwon Hwaseong Media Art was prepared more abundantly than ever in celebration of Suwon Visit Year, welcoming citizens and tourists as honored guests," and added, "I hope you will create special memories at the newly bloomed Suwon Hwaseong in light during the Chuseok holiday."