Night market, performances and hands-on events draw crowds as car-free streets create a safe, festive atmosphere
Jungnang-gu held the "Jungnang Dongbu Market Night Market" festival along Mangu-ro 32-gil from June 18 to 20.
The festival was organized as part of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's night and food culture revitalization support project, with the aim of transforming the traditional market into a cultural and leisure destination after dark and injecting new energy into the local commercial district.
Throughout the festival, the market hosted a range of programs including a night market, live performances, hands-on activities and prize events.
On June 19 and 20, the area around the market was designated a car-free zone, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy the festival in a safer and more comfortable environment.
The night market featured food stalls serving makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine, and beer alongside a variety of other food vendors, evoking the warm, familiar atmosphere of a traditional market. Instant photo booths and commemorative photo spaces were also set up so families and friends could create lasting memories together.
On stage, performances by winners of the Rose Song Contest from the 18th Jungnang Seoul Rose Festival and a nanta percussion show heightened the festive mood. A lottery event and prize draw for purchasing customers also proved popular with attendees.
Jungnang-gu District Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi said he hoped the night and food culture festival would breathe new life into the traditional market and bring residents together. "We will continue to provide diverse support so that traditional markets can establish themselves as everyday cultural spaces where local residents want to come and linger," he said.
To sustain the momentum for traditional markets and alley-type shopping districts, the district will hold a "Gagyebotem Payback" cashback event from June 24 to 30. A total of seven commercial districts will take part — Jungnang Dongbu Market, Dongwon Market, Dongwon Market Shopping Street, Jangmi Jeil Market, Myeonmok Market, Bongwu Market Alley Shopping Street and Urim Matsomssi-gil Alley Shopping Street — in a bid to boost local spending and revitalize the area's commercial districts.
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