"Already Midsummer": Han River Swimming Pools Packed... Crowds Flock to Hydrangea Festivals

[Anchor]

Today, June 21, was the summer solstice, the day with the longest daylight hours of the year. As the heat, which had briefly subsided, began to rise again, city swimming pools were packed with people out to enjoy an early summer vacation. Crowds also flocked to festivals featuring hydrangeas, the flowers of the season.

Reporter Yoo Soo-hwan captured the scenes of the holiday.

[Reporter]

With the rain clearing up after two days, the Han River Park swimming pools are bustling with citizens out to enjoy the early summer weather.

Children and adults alike are returning to their childhood, enjoying water play on large whale and flamingo-shaped tubes that have appeared on the Han River.

[Kim Tae-hwan, Lee Eun-hye, Kim Ro-woon / Goyang, Gyeonggi-do: We saw the weather was so nice this morning and packed our bags right away. There is a wider age range than I thought, and it's great that the spaces for adults and children are separated...]

[Han Seo-yoon / Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul: The atmosphere is very vibrant, and it's spacious and pleasant even for spending time separately from the kids...]

[(Do you like swimming?) Yes.]

With the high temperature in Seoul reaching 28.1°C (83°F) today, we have already reached the threshold of midsummer.

People sought out cool waters in the city to dip their feet and blow away the heat, or enjoyed a relaxing holiday turning pages of a book with the sound of water in the background.

[Kim Bo-ram / Incheon: Since the weather is hot, it's difficult to sit outside and read for a long time. As soon as we arrived, they touched the water and said they wanted to dip their feet in...]

[Kim Ju-a / Incheon: I'm reading a book, and I'm strangely drawn into it, and the atmosphere here is also really great.]

Hydrangeas, the representative flowers of summer, have also begun to show off their beauty in time for the season.

The Jangsaengpo Hydrangea Festival in Ulsan, which created a spectacular view with its colorful blossoms, was filled with visitors out to enjoy the early summer mood.

People took photos along the flower paths with their families or partners, recording fresh memories of early summer.

(Video reporting: In Pil-seong, Lee Jong-ho UBC | Video editing: Choi Jin-hwa)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.