Feature "Visit Suwon for Chuseok"…Media Art 'Ayou Gabin' Dyed in Light

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

In particular, the 2026 Suwon Fortress Media Art, the key among the three major festivals, has started the race. It is an opportunity to satisfy all desires: gorgeous 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,' a must-see during the short Chuseok holiday period.

Suwon Fortress Media Art, 'Cheers' from Suwon Visitors

The 2026 Suwon Fortress Media Art enters its sixth year and begins a new story. Following the completion of 'Moonlight Over All: King Jeongjo's Dream, Becomes Light,' which continued for five consecutive years through last year, a new work 'New Light Shared Joy: Suwon Fortress Blossoms in Light' is introduced. The first season's theme is 'Ayou Gabin' (我有嘉賓), welcoming all viewers as honored guests.

This year's venue uses the castle wall outside Hwaseo Gate and the Seobukkong Hollow Bunker as the main stage, with the crescent fortress walls surrounding Jangan Gate as the canvas. Diverse techniques express stories that visitors can intuitively understand, enhancing the enjoyment of light, sound, and effects.

The main work is 'Light of Connection,' screened at Hwaseo Gate. Seven artists participate, and each distinctive work completes one story in a series format over approximately 30 minutes. It depicts how the light from 230 years ago, when Suwon Fortress was first built, transforms its form and leads to today's Suwon.

Digital photographs and black-and-white screens, vivid colors and watercolor-like scenes, traditional patterns and contemporary techniques, and diverse music harmonize as Suwon Fortress is created, King Jeongjo makes his royal procession, and the city passes through times of modernization and industrialization. Operations run three times daily (7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m.).

This year, all screening sessions feature added stage performances in the middle, creating richer viewing experiences. Performances staged against the media art screen maximize live atmosphere. Live performances of Korean dance, ballet, and traditional top spinning harmonize with the media art and are expressed fantastically. Finally, a festival where audiences participate by turning on their phone flashlights during a performance integrating all genres completes the celebration.

Spectacular visual effects add immersion to this year's media art. Scenes of lanterns flying are harmonized with soap bubbles, and the depiction of a giant whale flying above viewers' heads breaks down the stage boundaries and expands the space. Elaborate 3D effects are created with brilliant lasers, and the effect of characters from the screen approaching leaves a powerful impression.

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

'Everyone Rejoices in New Light' Diverse Media Park

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

This year, a two-way interactive media art wall grants the wishes of tourists together. It is a work called 'Lantern of Wishes: Light it up' that creates scenes of digital lanterns carrying personal wishes and voices of hope flying away. When you shout your wish into a microphone shaped like a 'sotdae,' a village guardian symbol, a digital lantern engraved with your wish is generated on the castle wall and gradually soars into the sky, providing a special experience.

Beyond this, interactive artworks fill the media park. Lighting art that responds to touch or sound, bubble lights, giant Jenga, a fringe stage with small performances, a flea market with local merchants, and a local brand specialty market—there is so much to see and experience that time seems insufficient.

In the botanical healing zone decorated with giant flowers and photo zones by lighting, visitors can relax by leaning against bean bags placed throughout and listening to soft music. Additionally, various scenic lighting photo zones are set up featuring Suwon-i (the city character), butterflies, LOVE letters, lollipop shapes, and wisteria, perfect for photography.

Moreover, convenient and light snacks are prepared at this media art venue to enhance visitor convenience. Skewers made with abalone, chicken, sausages, and fish cakes are sold, allowing visitors to satisfy their hunger while enjoying the media art.

Experience It 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 book a paid seat. Approximately 600 seats are installed at Hwaseo Gate, the main stage, allowing comfortable viewing to secure stable sightlines.

Seating is free on weekdays, but reservations are required to use it on weekends, holidays, and the day before holidays. At 5,000 won per person, it is possible to secure popular screening times in advance. Family seating is also available for families with children to enjoy without concern.

For those wishing to appreciate the gorgeous media art beyond just watching it with their eyes and wanting to understand its meaning through storytelling, a guided program is recommended. Visitors watch the main media art program at Hwaseo Gate from special seats near the stage, while professional guides provide explanations of history and culture for the works at Jangan Park and Jangan Gate.

It costs 5,000 won on weekdays and 10,000 won on weekends, holidays, and the day before holidays, with only 20 people per session able to enjoy this special docent service. Sessions 1 and 3 are conducted in Korean, session 2 in foreign languages, and starting points differ for each, so careful confirmation is needed when booking.

It is also possible to enjoy the Suwon Fortress Media Art even more specially through events that anyone can easily participate in. If you show a paper receipt confirming a purchase of 20,000 won or more at stores located in Haenggung-dong or Yeonghwa-dong on the same day, you receive Hwaseo Gate seating or souvenirs (such as keychains). Additionally, if you visit the festival in traditional hanbok clothing, Hwaseo Gate seating is provided, doubling the memories.

'Nothing More, Nothing Less, a Chuseok-like Experience' in Suwon

There are many reasons to visit Suwon during Chuseok besides the Suwon Fortress Media Art. Thanks to public viewing facilities opening their doors even during the holidays, Suwon residents, returnees visiting Suwon after a long time, and travelers can all experience the abundance of Chuseok.

Hwaseong Palace, the best venue to create the holiday atmosphere, opens at night with bright lighting. Since the palace is open until 9:30 p.m., it is recommended to take a nighttime outing 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 City Art Museum, and Suwon City Art Space Gwanggyo—operate without holidays throughout the break. Particularly on Chuseok day itself, admission to all five is free, so large families can visit without burden. You can appreciate international exhibitions 'Patricia Piccinini: Kinship' or collection exhibitions 'Blank Black Panorama' at the art museum, or view special exhibitions at each museum that tells interesting Suwon stories.

Suwon's two arboretums also operate the same as usual during the holiday period. Visiting before the final entry time allows you to enjoy cool autumn weather and take a private, leisurely stroll. Special exhibitions are also held at Ilwol Arboretum featuring 'Thumbelina' and at Yeonghung Arboretum featuring 'Hansel and Gretel' and other fairy tales. You can create special memories enjoying childlike wonder with family.

Jae-joon Lee, Mayor of Suwon Special Metropolitan City, 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, matching the Suwon Visit Year," and added, "I hope you create special memories at Suwon Fortress, newly blooming in light during the Chuseok holidays."