Seoul Light Gwanghwamun opens on the 12th
- Bono Ahn
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
JoongAng Ilbo | Intern Reporter Kim Na-hye
Seoul's representative winter media art festival, "2025 Seoul Light Gwanghwamun," opens on the 12th. From the 12th to January 4th of next year, the 24-day event will feature a large-scale media facade exhibition featuring world-renowned artists, citizen participation programs, and a New Year's countdown performance across Gwanghwamun Square.
Now in its fourth year, Seoul Light Gwanghwamun features renowned domestic and international artists under the theme "Gwanghwa, Breathe with Light." The works include the Gwanghwamun Media Façade, the Fortune.exe light sculptures, and the Sejong Pavilion video exhibition.
The main content is the work of world-renowned media artist Doug Aitken. Aitken presents "SONG 1," a work expressing the rhythm and emotion of the city based on the rhythm and blues pop song "I Only Have Eyes for You." Four pieces, including "Are You Sleeping?" by TZUSOO, "Feast of Light" by Aplan Company, and "Gesture Pop!" by The First Gate, will be screened for a total of 24 minutes each. An interactive element will also be introduced, allowing visitors to start the performance by striking a drum.
From the north side of the Statue of King Sejong to the plaza that crosses Gwanghwamun, a 26-meter-tall light sculpture by Kedeheon has been installed. It reinterprets the world-famous Ilworobongdo and traditional Korean dancheong architecture. "Fortune.exe," a colorful lighting installation that combines light and music, reinterprets the structural beauty of Ilworobongdo's traditional dancheong. The installation also includes Everyware's "Triangle, Square Square Square," which features changing light on windows and doors, and "The Night Hope Blooms," a lighting art piece that combines a dazzling laser and light show with immersive sound. Furthermore, a citizen participation program called "Ilworobongdo Wish Wall" will be operated, where citizens will be able to place tiles that symbolize their wishes for the year 2026 within the installation.
Additionally, the Sejong Pavilion, an LED media screen, will be installed right in front of the north side of the King Sejong Statue, displaying works by six invited domestic and international artists and five artists selected through an international competition. Citizens will also participate in selecting the best work. The Sejong Pavilion is a three-dimensional digital stage comprised of a 10-meter wide and 6-meter tall LED wall and a 6-meter floor LED. The six invited artists, including Joel Mesler, Moon Hyun-seok, Kim Young-tae, Yeorae, Je Woo-jin, and Hwang Yu-geun, will present works that reinterpret light and the city. The works of five artists selected through an international competition and judged by experts and citizens will also be exhibited.
The event culminates with a New Year's countdown on the evening of December 31st. With the participation of eight organizations and businesses, including the Dong-A Ilbo, the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, the Seoul Shinmun, and the Koreana Hotel, the event will feature a media art countdown simultaneously broadcast on digital signage, offering a unique experience of welcoming Seoul's first day in the vibrant historic space of Gwanghwamun.
Before the event, a hanbok fashion show, “Gwanghwamun Fashion Road,” and a light dance performance will also be held.
Art director Jinhee Choi, who oversaw this year’s exhibition, said, “I wanted to show how new emotions can be created when the historical space of Gwanghwamun meets light and technology,” and added, “I hope that citizens will experience the ‘breath of light’ directly through the works created by top international artists and Korean creators.”
The Seoul Metropolitan Government also plans to ensure thorough safety measures. The city has concentrated safety personnel in crowded areas, crosswalks, and major routes, and has established an emergency response system in cooperation with the fire department, police, and medical institutions.
Choi In-gyu, Design Policy Officer for the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, “The 2025 Seoul Light Gwanghwamun event will combine cutting-edge media technology with world-class content to provide citizens and tourists with a special experience of ending the year and welcoming the new year with light and music.”
The Seoul Metropolitan Government provides event information and operating schedules through its official website and social media.
[Source: JoongAng Ilbo]