The Seoul International Fireworks Festival hosted by Hanwha Group, one of the representative festivals drawing over 1 million visitors annually, will be held today (the 5th) around Hangang Park in Yeouido.

This year, the event has been brought forward by about three weeks compared to previous years, taking into consideration the timing of the Chuseok holiday and foreign tourist demand.

Held under the theme "Find Your Light," this year's event features national representative fireworks teams from a total of three countries, including Hanwha Corp., the United States, and the United Kingdom.

The fireworks show will begin right at 8 PM.

First, the UK team will color the night sky with specially produced fireworks set to songs such as "Soda Pop," an insert track from the Netflix animated film "K-Pop: Demon Hunters."

Next, the US team will express the grandeur of light illuminating the darkness to melodies including "Carmina Burana: O Fortuna."

Hanwha Corp. will stage its fireworks show inspired by Vincent van Gogh's masterpiece "The Starry Night."

It will also present an emotional fireworks sequence set to singer Lee So-ra's song "The Wind Blows."

Key viewing points this year include the so-called "tower fireworks" utilizing Wonhyo Bridge and "bridge production" featuring various added patterns.

Centered around Wonhyo Bridge, the "decalcomanie" production—where fireworks unfold symmetrically on both sides of the Han River sky—is a signature feature of the Seoul International Fireworks Festival, allowing numerous spectators in wide, distant areas to enjoy the fireworks.

As a massive crowd is expected to gather, the management system for a safe and pleasant fireworks festival will also be reinforced.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government, together with related organizations such as firefighting authorities, autonomous districts, police, and Hanwha Group, will set up a "Comprehensive Safety Headquarters" to oversee responses to crowds, traffic conditions, and emergencies at the venue.

A total of 6,800 personnel for safety management and order maintenance will be deployed.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency will completely restrict vehicle traffic on Yeouidong-ro (from the south end of Mapo Bridge to the 63 Building) from 3 PM to midnight.

Vehicle traffic on Wonhyo Bridge will also be completely restricted in both directions from 9 AM today until 3 AM the following day, the 6th, for event preparation and cleanup.

Trains will bypass Yeouinaru Station without stopping for three hours from 7 PM to 10 PM, when the largest crowds are expected.

Meanwhile, for citizens unable to visit the festival site in person, Hanwha Corp. plans to broadcast the Yeouido fireworks show live through its official YouTube channel, "Hanwha TV."
(Photo: Yonhap News)