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Hanam Music Festival Dazzles 30,000 with K-Pop, Drone Show, and Community Spirit

Hanam Music Festival Dazzles 30,000 with K-Pop, Drone Show, and Community Spirit

From Dong-A Ilbo · (1d ago) Korean Positive tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The '2026 Hanam Music Festival: Music in Hanam' attracted over 31,000 attendees across two days.
  • The festival featured popular K-pop artists, a drone light show, and performances by 650 citizens from various age groups.
  • The event was seen as a preview of Hanam City's 'K-Star World' project, aiming to become a cultural hub.

Hanam City has once again proven its ambition to become a leading cultural destination with the resounding success of the '2026 Hanam Music Festival: Music in Hanam.' Drawing an impressive crowd of over 31,000 people, the festival was more than just a concert; it was a vibrant showcase of community spirit and a bold step towards realizing the city's 'K-Star World' vision.

It was a new experience filled with spring, music, and light.

— Kim Han-sooA 71-year-old attendee describing his experience at the festival.

The festival's diverse lineup, featuring beloved K-pop artists like FIFTY FIFTY, Jo Kwon, and Lim Chang-jung, alongside a spectacular drone light show, captivated audiences. However, the true heart of the event lay in its participatory nature. The inclusion of 650 citizens, from children's choirs to senior ensembles, performing together, created a powerful sense of unity and shared experience. As one attendee remarked, it felt like 'the entire city became a stage,' highlighting the festival's success in bridging generational divides through music.

It wasn't just at the level of listening to a singer's song. I experienced a festival culture where citizens and art harmonize.

— Kim Han-sooExpressing his appreciation for the festival's interactive and community-focused elements.

From a local perspective in Hanam, this festival is a critical validation of the 'K-Star World' project. This ambitious initiative aims to establish Hanam as a global hub for K-pop and film, complete with a large-scale K-pop arena and film studios. The overwhelming public response to the festival demonstrates a strong appetite for such cultural infrastructure and reinforces the city's potential to attract tourism and foster creative industries.

The entire city felt like one stage.

— Festival attendeeDescribing the immersive and unifying atmosphere of the event.

Mayor Lee Hyun-jae's vision of Hanam as a 'live-work-play' city, where culture and employment coexist, is powerfully articulated through events like this. While international coverage might focus on the star power of the K-pop performers, the local narrative emphasizes community engagement and the strategic development of cultural assets. This festival wasn't just about entertainment; it was a tangible manifestation of Hanam's future as a dynamic cultural epicenter, resonating deeply with residents who see their city transforming into a vibrant center of Korean culture.

It was a festival of harmony where citizens became the protagonists and confirmed their cultural pride.

— Lee Hyun-jaeHanam Mayor commenting on the success and significance of the festival.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.