The "2026 WANTS Suncheon" webtoon and animation content festival wrapped up after drawing some 50,000 residents and tourists.
Now in its second year, the festival ran June 13-14 under the theme "Flying with Content," combining performances, hands-on experiences, exhibitions and industry promotions with venues across Suncheon's historic downtown core.
The festival grounds at Nammunter Square and the surrounding old city center buzzed with activity, featuring the Lumi and Ddungi Fun Walking event, character performances, experience booths, content company exhibitions and university partnership programs.
The flagship "Lumi and Ddungi Fun Walking" event drew more than 400 participants, who strolled along the Okcheon stream alongside Suncheon's signature characters Lumi and Ddungi and took in the charms of the historic downtown.
A character drawing competition also attracted more than 90 elementary, middle and high school students from across the country, who put their own creative spin on Lumi and Ddungi and showcased the potential for expanding Suncheon's character intellectual property.
Content companies used the LED display board at Nammunter Square to broadcast promotional videos and operated exhibition booths, giving them a direct channel to engage with residents.
The festival was also seen as significant for creating a virtuous cycle in which visitors to the old city center translated their foot traffic into spending at local businesses.
"Going beyond a simple one-off event, the festival raised its overall quality by organically connecting Suncheon's signature characters, content companies, local commercial districts and citizen participation programs," an official from Suncheon City's Strategic Planning Bureau said.
parkds@heraldcorp.com
