Hangul Day brings calligraphy games, yoga and street performances to Han River parks

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Friday that it will run Hangul Day special events, performances, yoga sessions and morning programs this month at Hangang Peulpeul in Ttukseom Hangang Park and Gwangjin Bridge 8th Street in Gwangnaru Hangang Park.

Hangang Peulpeul will transform into a "Hangul Playground" on Friday, Hangul Day. Starting at 1 p.m., the first 100 visitors can take part free of charge in two hands-on activities — coloring in Hunminjeongeum characters and making mother-of-pearl name-tag bookmarks — with no advance reservation required. From 2 p.m., a scavenger hunt will challenge visitors to find four hangul letters — ㅎ, ㄱ, ㅍ and ㅍ — hidden throughout the space, with the first 50 successful participants receiving commemorative gifts.

On the third floor, four Korean films will screen in succession: "Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War," "Way Home," "YMCA Baseball Team" and "Oseam." In the evening, visitors can watch a drone light show titled "Joseon Fantasy" at the waterfront stage in Ttukseom Hangang Park. A book lounge stocked with titles related to hangul and the Han River will also be set up in the river-view lounge.

Hangang Peulpeul is a multipurpose cultural complex in Ttukseom Hangang Park offering media art, reading programs and hands-on activities. It stays open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with regular weekend offerings that include busking, outdoor film screenings, and coloring and board game sessions.

Gwangjin Bridge 8th Street is a cultural and scenic space installed beneath the piers of Gwangjin Bridge, known for its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Han River.

The venue will host a series of autumn programs against the backdrop of the Han River. On Saturday and Oct. 17, a street performance series called "Seoul Street Performance — Live in Every Corner" will run from 2 p.m. to 4:40 p.m., featuring piano, guitar, traditional Korean music and acoustic band acts.

On Oct. 18 and Oct. 25, a relaxed morning program called "Easy Morning at Gwangjin Bridge" will run from 7 to 9 a.m. On Oct. 24, a yoga class will be held with a YouTuber known as "Yoga Boy," who has around 500,000 subscribers. Gwangjin Bridge 8th Street will extend its hours through the end of this month — until 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

"We hope visitors will discover a new side of the Han River by enjoying the cool autumn weather alongside Hangul Day events, yoga and performances," said Park Jin-young, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Future Han River Bureau.