ULSAN, Sept. 27 (Korea Bizwire) – The coastal city of Ulsan kicked off its 28th annual Whale Festival on September 26, transforming the Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Special Zone into a vibrant celebration of the region’s unique maritime heritage.
Running through September 29, the festival, the only one of its kind in South Korea dedicated to whale culture, promises a diverse array of attractions under the theme “Jangsaengpo’s Dream! Ulsan’s Hope!”
The opening ceremony, held at Jangsaeng Square, set the tone for the four-day event. Spectators were treated to a media performance featuring Jangsaeng-i, the district mascot, followed by a multimedia art display chronicling the growth of this whale-centric city.
Popular singers Son Tae-jin and Kim Da-hyun provided musical entertainment, with the night sky illuminated by a dazzling fireworks show.
Friday’s highlight is a Musical Gala Show scheduled for 8:30 p.m., offering attendees a 90-minute journey through beloved musical theater classics.
The festival reaches its crescendo on Saturday with two marquee events. At 8 p.m., the streets will come alive with a nighttime parade, a new addition to this year’s program.
Over 1,000 participants, including the Korea Coast Guard orchestra, dance groups, marching bands, and local residents, will process from the Jangsaengpo Welfare Cultural Center to Jangsaeng Square.
In a novel twist, wave imagery will be projected onto the parade, creating a mesmerizing visual spectacle.
Following the parade, DJ Koo, formerly of the pop group Clone, will headline a DJ party, promising to keep the energy high into the night.
The festival’s closing ceremony on Sunday evening will feature an awards presentation for a whale-themed singing contest and a performance by La Poem, winners of the third season of the TV show “Phantom Singer.”
The night will conclude with the screening of “4 Days of Happiness,” a documentary capturing the festival’s highlights.
Daytime activities cater to all ages. Whaleland, a temporary theme park, offers carousel rides, food trucks, and daily children’s musicals. Visitors can also enjoy Whale Marble, a game teaching local history, and a flyboard performance on the sea.
A Circus Day will showcase street performers and offer hands-on juggling experiences. The main food court, Jangsaeng Restaurant, is equipped with monitors, allowing diners to enjoy performances while eating.
To accommodate the influx of visitors, organizers have arranged for 3,337 parking spaces across seven temporary lots.
Seo Dong-wook, chairman of the Whale Culture Foundation and head of Ulsan’s Nam District, expressed his hopes for the event.
“We’ve introduced new elements to elevate this festival to national prominence,” he said.
“We look forward to welcoming many citizens to experience our evolving celebration of whale culture.”
Image credit: Ulsan Nam District / photonews@koreabizwire.com
