Sparks rain over Nakwhadam as traditional fire festival lights up Chilgok-gun

A traditional fire display drew crowds Saturday at Nakwhadam in Chilgok-gun, North Gyeongsang Province — a site steeped in the legend of women who threw themselves into the water to escape Japanese forces during the Imjin War.

At the fourth Byeolbyeol Chilgok Nakwhadam Nakwha Nori festival, held at Nakwhadam in Jicheon-myeon, rows of suspended nakwhabong torches were set alight, sending cascades of red embers across the night sky.

The name Nakwhadam is said to derive from the image of the women falling like flower petals. Nakwha nori is a traditional fireworks practice in which torches made of charcoal and sea salt wrapped in hanji (traditional Korean paper) are ignited so that glowing embers drift and scatter through the air.

Now in its fourth year, the event drew strong interest — advance reservations sold out within five hours of opening. About 2,500 people attended on the day, including 2,000 ticket holders and 500 local residents.

Co-hosted by Jicheon-myeon and the Nakwhadam Cooperative, the festival featured fusion traditional music and band performances, a flea market, a food market and a wish-lantern making activity.

Chilgok-gun County Chief Kim Jae-wook took part in lighting the nakwhabong torches and spent time mingling with attendees.

"We will build on the stories of the Imjin War passed down at Nakwhadam and combine them with the traditional nakwha nori to develop a distinctive cultural event unique to Chilgok," Kim said. "We will continue to create a festival where visitors can enjoy themselves safely and comfortably."