Bare-handed fishing by day, music festival by night: Ilkwang Sea Festival kicks off on the 31st

Ilkwang Beach in Gijang-gun, Busan, is setting a new stage for summer festivities. The "1st Ilkwang Sea Festival," which integrates the previously separate "Gijang Gaetmaeul Festival" and "Ilkwang Romantic Song Festival," will be held for three days from July 31 to August 2 at the Ilkwang Beach event stage area. The plan is to expand the scale and improve operational efficiency by merging the 27th Gaetmaeul Festival with the 21st Song Festival.

Gijang-gun has reduced redundant budget and manpower burdens through this integration. Previously, the two events were held around the same time, leading to inefficiencies such as having to install stages and facilities separately. By combining the 84 million won subsidy for the Gaetmaeul Festival and the 22 million won subsidy for the Ilkwang Romantic Song Festival, a total of 106 million won in subsidies will be managed collectively this year. The budget saved by reducing facility installation to a single setup will be invested in enhancing the quality of the festival.

Marine experiences by day, Miss Trot stars by night

The festival features clearly distinct daytime and nighttime programs. During daylight hours, the focus is on experiential activities that allow visitors to enjoy the seaside atmosphere. On the first day, July 31, activities such as pulling drag nets, bare-handed fishing, and a seaside treasure hunt will take place. The festival will kick off with a Seonghwangje ritual, a Gilnori parade, and an opening ceremony. On August 1, clam digging experiences and beach fringe performances will be held, followed by more experiential programs and two beach fringe performances on the final day, August 2.

The experiential programs are free for anyone to participate in on-site without prior registration. For safety reasons, participants are divided by age group. Elementary school students will participate in clam digging, while those aged 12 and older, including adults, will take part in bare-handed fishing for large fish. The bare-handed fishing program will be operated with age-specific sessions for children/youth and middle-aged groups.

When night falls, the spotlight shifts to the stage performers. On the evening of the 31st, the "Ilkwang Healing Concert," featuring Chae-yun, Choi Ji-ye, and Lee So-na from "Miss Trot," will welcome vacationers.

Song festival with 150 applicants introduces live music this year

Interest in the song festival is high. As of the 28th, between 130 and 150 participants have already applied for the Ilkwang Romantic Song Festival. After preliminary rounds on July 29 and 30, 20 contestants will be selected to compete on the main stage on August 1. The final 10 contestants will take the stage on August 2 to compete for the Grand Prize and the Gold Prize. All finalists will receive awards.

This year, the song festival has changed its accompaniment method. Instead of using traditional MR (recorded accompaniment), a solo musician will perform live music on-site to accompany the singers. On the preliminary stage on August 1, singers Min-hui, Choi Wook, and Park Seong-on will perform, while Kim Yong-gyu, Lee Hyang, and Son Bin-a will appear as invited guests on the final stage. The festival will conclude with a fireworks display following the closing ceremony at 9 PM on the 2nd.

Car-free streets and establishing a local tourism hub

To ensure visitor convenience and safety, Gijang-gun will designate the coastal road in front of the event site (approximately 200–250m) as a "car-free street" during the festival. Large shade structures have been installed around the beach area to prepare for the heatwave, and the county will conduct pre-education for local merchants and on-site inspections to prevent price gouging during the vacation season.

"By integrating the two festivals into a three-day schedule, we have arranged the Gaetmaeul Festival's experiential programs for the daytime and the Romantic Song Festival and performances for the nighttime," said Jeong Seong-won, chairman of the Ilkwang Sea Festival Promotion Committee. "As programs continue from day to night, the overall scale of the festival has also grown." Woo Seong-bin, the mayor of Gijang-gun, stated, "We have made every effort to ensure the 1st Ilkwang Sea Festival establishes itself as a representative summer festival of Gijang-gun, enjoyed by both local residents and tourists. We hope people create special summer memories at Ilkwang Beach, where various experiences, performances, and fireworks come together."

Singer Son Bin-a to perform in Gijang following Hwacheon, Gangwon

The song festival lineup is also impressive. On the preliminary stage on August 1, singers Min-hui, Choi Wook, and Park Seong-on will perform, and on the final stage on August 2, Kim Yong-gyu, Lee Hyang, and Son Bin-a will appear as invited guests to perform alongside the contestants. Singer Son Bin-a will also perform at the Hwacheon Tomato Festival eve on July 31, where she will join Kim Da-hyun and Jeong Hae-eun for a celebratory performance.