A life-sized recreation of "Robot Taekwon V," South Korea's first animated robot character, has drawn massive popularity after appearing at the 30th Firefly Festival held in Muju, North Jeolla Province.

According to Muju County on the 9th, a giant life-sized Robot Taekwon V is on display inside a hangar measuring 18.3 meters wide and 22 meters high at the Global Taekwondo Zone (Taekwon V Land) next to the Muju County Choe Buk Art Museum in the county seat.

Commissioned by the county and built by a private company, the Robot Taekwon V was unveiled to tourists to mark the 30th anniversary of the Muju Firefly Festival and the 50th anniversary of the animated film Robot Taekwon V.

Standing 12 meters tall and weighing 20 tons, the giant Taekwon V robot even performed 19 different Taekwondo poomse (forms) during the eve of the Firefly Festival on the 4th.

Tourists responded with enthusiastic applause despite the giant robot's somewhat awkward Taekwondo movements, including its side kick.

The Taekwon V robot incorporates 34 independent joints and utilizes hydraulic actuators and precision control technology to execute various movements.

The Taekwon V robot can be seen in full action at the "Meeting the Legend of Robot Taekwon V" event on the 11th.

That day will also feature a talk concert by director Kim Cheong-gi, who created the animated film "Robot Taekwon V," as well as a performance by the Dankook University Taekwondo Demonstration Team.

In particular, Taekwon V's poomse demonstrations will be held on that day as well as on the 12th at 4:00 PM, 5:30 PM, and 7:00 PM.

A visitor identified by his surname Kim (50) shared, "It vividly brings back memories of the screen where Taekwon V flew brilliantly across the sky to the theme song 'Run, Run, Robot, Fly, Fly, Taekwon V.' I am so glad and deeply moved to meet that Taekwon V from my memories once again at the Muju Firefly Festival."

Lee Hyun-woo, head of the Muju Firefly Festival Support Team, stated, "On the 11th and 12th, the Robot Taekwon V will showcase various poomse movements such as side kicks, roundhouse kicks, and knife-hand strikes to music. It will be a stage where nostalgic memories and the aspirations of today's youth coexist."

(Photo provided by Muju County, Yonhap News)