Feature "Visit Suwon for Chuseok Holiday"…Media Art Illuminated in Light 'Ayoujiabinyuan (我有嘉賓)'

Suwon City, which has proclaimed the '2026 Suwon Visit Year' to establish itself as a world-class tourist destination, has entered its 'peak tourism season'. This is because large-scale attractions and festivals are concentrated in the fall.

In particular, the 2026 Suwon Fortress Media Art among the three flagship festivals has cut the opening ribbon. It is an opportunity to satisfy all needs: brilliant lights and diverse music, fun experiences and leisurely rest, delicious food and happy memories. Suwon City invites everyone to the '2026 Suwon Fortress Media Art,' which is a must-see during the short Chuseok holiday period.

Suwon Fortress Media Art Receives 'Cheers' from Suwon Visitors

The 2026 Suwon Fortress Media Art marks its sixth year and begins a new story. It concludes the five-year continuous narrative of '10,000 Moons and Nights: King Jeongjo's Dream, Becomes Light,' and introduces a new work titled 'New Light Shared Joy (同樂): Suwon Fortress, Blooming in Light.' The first season's theme is 'Ayoujiabinyuan (我有嘉賓),' welcoming all viewers as honored guests.

This year's venue uses the outer fortress walls and the northwestern solid lookout tower of Hwaseo Gate as main stages, and utilizes the walled area surrounding Jangan Gate as a canvas. The event enhances the enjoyment of light, sound, and effects by expressing intuitive stories comprehensible to viewers through diverse techniques.

The main thematic work is 'Light of Connections' screened at Hwaseo Gate. With seven artists participating, individual works are presented in serial format to complete a 30-minute story. It depicts the process through which light from 230 years ago, when construction of Suwon Fortress began, transforms and continues into today's Suwon.

Digital photography, black-and-white screens, vivid colors and watercolor-like scenes, traditional patterns and modern techniques, and diverse music blend together as the fortress was constructed, King Jeongjo held his procession, and the city underwent modernization and industrialization. It operates three times daily (7:30 PM, 8:30 PM, 9:30 PM).

In particular, this year all screening sessions feature stage performances in between, creating abundant visual experiences. The performances held against the media art display backdrop maximize the sense of presence. Live performances including Korean traditional dance, ballet, and spinning hat dance harmonize fantastically with the media art. At the end, audiences turn on their mobile phone flashlights and participate in performances where all genres blend together, completing a shared festival.

Spectacular visual effects add immersion to this year's media art. The scene of lanterns floating into the air harmonizes with soap bubbles, while the presentation of a giant whale flying overhead dissolves the stage boundary and expands the space. Not only does brilliant laser enhance three-dimensionality, but the effect of the main character in the screen approaching creates a powerful impression.

Inside the walled area of Jangan Gate awaits the work 'The King's Path, Together,' allowing everyone to become the protagonist of a royal procession and pass through the fortress gate.

'All Enjoy the New Light' Diverse Media Park

Jangan Park in front of the fortress wall between Hwaseo Gate and Jangan Gate has transformed into a massive media festival venue. Visitors who came to appreciate media art and local residents come together in one place, showcasing the essence of local festival culture.

This year, an interactive bidirectional media art wall prays for visitors' wishes. It is a work titled 'Lantern of Aspirations (登): Light it up,' which displays digital lanterns carrying personal wishes and voices of hope. When visitors shout their wishes into a microphone shaped like a 'soltae' (a village guardian symbol), a digital lantern inscribed with the wish appears on the fortress wall and gradually floats into the sky, providing a special experience.

Additionally, participatory artworks fill the media park. Lighting art that responds to touch, stepping, or sound, bubble lights, giant Jenga blocks, a fringe stage hosting small performances, a flea market with local vendors, and markets specializing in local brands provide so many things to explore and participate in that time passes quickly.

At the Botanic Healing Zone, where giant flowers and photo zones are decorated with lighting, visitors can relax on bean bags positioned throughout while listening to soft music. Additionally, photo zones featuring Suwon City's character Suwoni, butterflies, LOVE lettering, lollipop shapes, and wisteria, all illuminated by diverse scenic lighting, are available for memorable photos.

Moreover, the media art venue provides convenient and light snacks to enhance visitor comfort. Skewers made with abalone, chicken, sausage, and fish cake are sold, allowing viewers to satisfy their hunger while enjoying the media art.

Experience Closer, More Detailed, and More Special

If you can only visit the Suwon Fortress Media Art venue on weekends or holidays rather than weekdays, it is recommended to reserve paid seating. You can comfortably enjoy the show from the approximately 600 seats installed at Hwaseo Gate, the main stage, to secure stable views.

Seating is free on weekdays, but reservations are required to use it on weekends, public holidays, and the days before holidays. At 5,000 won per person, it is possible to reserve popular screening times in advance. There are also family seats available for families with children who prefer not to worry about disrupting others.

To appreciate the brilliant media art and grasp its meaning through storytelling, a guided tour program is recommended. Viewers watch the main media art program at Hwaseo Gate from special seats close to the stage, while professional interpreters provide explanations enriched with history and culture at Jangan Park and Jangan Gate.

Prices are 5,000 won on weekdays and 10,000 won on weekends, public holidays, and days before holidays, with only 20 people per session able to enjoy this special docent experience. The 1st and 3rd sessions are conducted in Korean, and the 2nd session in foreign languages, with different starting points for each, so reservations must be checked carefully.

It is also possible to make the Suwon Fortress Media Art experience even more special through accessible events anyone can participate in. If you show a paper receipt from a purchase of 20,000 won or more at stores in Haenggung-dong or Younghwa-dong on the same day, you receive either seating at Hwaseo Gate or souvenirs (such as keychains). Additionally, visiting the festival in hanbok (Korean traditional dress) grants you seating at Hwaseo Gate, doubling the memories.

'Nothing More, Nothing Less, as Abundant as Chuseok' Possible in Suwon

There are many reasons to visit Suwon on Chuseok beyond the Suwon Fortress Media Art. Thanks to public viewing facilities opening their doors even during the holiday period, both Suwon residents and visitors returning home or traveling after a long time can enjoy the abundance of the holiday.

Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, best suited for creating a holiday atmosphere, opens at night with bright lighting. Since the palace is open until 9:30 PM, it is recommended to take a night stroll before or after viewing the Suwon Fortress Media Art. Admission is free if you wear hanbok.

Five facilities—Suwon Museum, Suwon Gwanggyo Museum, Suwon Fortress Museum, Suwon Municipal Art Museum, and Suwon Municipal Art Space Gwanggyo—operate without any holidays throughout the extended holiday period. In particular, free admission is available for all facilities on Chuseok day itself, allowing large families to visit without burden. You can appreciate the international exhibition 'Patricia Piccinini: Kinship' or the collection exhibition 'Blanc Noir Panorama' at the art museum, or view gap exhibitions at various museums that tell interesting stories of Suwon.

Suwon's two arboretums also operate as normal during the holiday period. If you visit before closing time, you can enjoy a cozy and leisurely walk in the crisp autumn weather. Special exhibitions based on fairy tales are also underway, including 'Thumbelina' at Ilwol Arboretum and 'Hansel and Gretel' at Younghheung Arboretum. Families can create special memories by experiencing the wonder of childhood.

Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun stated, "This year's Suwon Fortress Media Art has been prepared more abundantly than ever with the heart of welcoming citizens and tourists as honored guests, marking Suwon Visit Year," and added, "I hope you create special memories at Suwon Fortress, which has newly bloomed in light, during the Chuseok holiday."