Korea's largest light media art festival runs through Oct. 11
Special programs include yoga, outdoor reading and public lectures
Shuttle buses and cruise boats to ease access for visitors
Seoul's Nodeul Island will host the country's largest waterfront laser and light media art festival, transforming the Han River and the island into a sweeping canvas of illuminated art.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Friday that the 2026 Seoul Light Han River Bitseom Festival will run from Oct. 2 to Oct. 11 at Nodeul Island. Now in its fourth year, the festival is Seoul's signature nighttime media art event, connecting art, nature and the city through light.
This year's theme is "Epic of Light," exploring the energy of the Han River — water, fire, earth, air and life — through luminous installations. The festival will take place against the backdrop of Nodeul Island's waterfront cultural space, which opened Friday, presenting immersive media art that blends cutting-edge technology with artistic expression.
Taiwanese media artist Aka Chang will project lasers onto the surface of the Han River, creating a shifting landscape of light that changes with the waves and wind. An immersive work titled "Ripple," combining lasers, light and sound, will be installed in the waterfront ecological garden.
The laser art exhibition will feature Aka Chang alongside Italian artist duo Quiet Ensemble, presenting three major waterfront laser art works using the Han River and Nodeul Island as their stage. At the Nodeul Island Live House, three main performances will be staged by Korean artists Muto, Cpica and Pakki.
Diverse media art installations will be spread across the island — on the connecting bridge, outdoor spaces, the indoor Nodeul Gallery, a student-participatory light sculpture and play zone, and a media facade at Atelier Nodeul.
Alongside this, a new program called "Donghang Light" combines performance with charitable giving. Running from Oct. 9 to Oct. 11, the social contribution initiative will feature artists serving as ambassadors for ChildFund Korea, Korea Food for the Hungry International, Korea Compassion and Hope Bridge — including Choi Jeong-won, Park Seong-hui, Bumkey, Ahn Se-kwon, Sean and Kuki — who will perform and conduct on-site and digital fundraising.
Outdoor lectures under the banner "Bitseom Lecture" will explore science and light. Science communicator Hangseong, YouTuber Lee Jae-beom of "1-Minute Science," brand consultant Noh Hee-young and physicist Kim Beom-jun are among those scheduled to speak on topics ranging from the universe and light to brands and data.
Before the evening program, activities including running, yoga and outdoor reading will be offered from 4 to 6 p.m. Street performances and an outdoor library will also run throughout the festival period.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government will operate shuttle buses and special cruise boats for visitors. Four shuttle buses will run every 15 minutes along a 7-kilometer route linking Sinyongsan Station, Nodeul Island, Nodeul Station and Noryangjin Station from 6 to 10 p.m.
A special cruise boat service will connect the Yeouido eCruise pier and Nodeul Island from 3:30 to 10 p.m., running four times on weekdays and eight times on weekends. Cruise passengers will receive free all-day parking at the Yeouido Han River Park parking lot.
ken@heraldcorp.com
