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Korea Herald
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Seoul bids goodbye to 'Squid Game'
Netflix and the Seoul Metropolitan Government host parade and fan event for the mega hit's finale, uniting creators, cast and fans "Squid Game" swept through Seoul on Saturday night as a large-scale parade featuring towering character installations and figurines from the Netflix megahit marched through the heart of the city, drawing crowds of eager fans along Sejong-daero. Co-hosted by Netflix and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the parade kicked off at around 7:50 p.m., about 20 minutes behind schedule. Held to celebrate the premiere of the show's third and final season, which debuted on Netflix on Friday, the procession traveled from Gwanghwamun to Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall. To accommodate the festivities, Sejong-daero was closed to traffic. Despite the sweltering humidity and clouds of lovebugs, the atmosphere was one of excitement as both local and international fans packed the streets to catch a glimpse of their favorite "Squid Game" mascots. "I really like the 'Squid Game' series, and I just finished watching the final season. I don't really know what the parade will be about, but I'm sure Young-hee will appear, so I'm looking forward to seeing her, how big she is in real life," said Evan, 30, an American living in Seoul. The spectacle was led by a massive rendition of the killer doll Young-hee and included replicas of signature props from the series. A giant piggy bank displayed the prize money total, while glowing O and X signs represented the show's voting system and enormous bubbles featured imagery of dalgona cookies. Actors dressed in contestant uniforms reenacted scenes from the series, including the O and X persuasion sequence and the dance from the "Mingle" game, set to the "Round and Round" song. A marching band, outfitted in the show's pink guard costumes, played selections from the "Squid Game" soundtrack. After the procession arrived at Seoul Plaza around 9 p.m., the marching band delivered an encore performance before the evening officially transitioned to the fan event. The fan event kicked off at around 9 p.m. with a media facade splashing iconic symbols from the series across the Seoul Metropolitan Library, while a stage presentation brought together cast members from all three seasons for a live discussion. Fan-favorite actors from Season 1, including Park Hae-soo, Jung Ho-yeon, Anupam Tripathi, Lee Yoo-mi and Kim Joo-ryeong, appeared on stage. They were followed by Season 2 stars such as Choi Seung-hyun (also known as T.O.P), Im Si-wan, Jo Yu-ri, Yang Dong-geun and Kang Ae-sim. Lead actors Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun, as well as series creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk, also took part, reflecting on the conclusion of the franchise. The event was livestreamed on Netflix Korea's official YouTube channel. Though conducted in Korean, international fans were able to scan a QR code at the venue to access real-time English subtitles. On stage, director Hwang shared behind-the-scenes stories, including childhood games he had originally hoped to feature in the series, such as hopscotch and a Korean game translated as 'finding flowers.' He also offered heartfelt reflections on bringing the global hit series to a close. "I was so caught up in filming on the last day that I didn't really feel it, but since I poured everything I had into this project, the thought of it ending does make me feel a bit sad. At the same time, I've been carrying such a heavy burden on my shoulders for so long that it also feels like I can finally let go of that weight — it's a mix of emotions," said Hwang. Lee Jung-jae echoed the sentiment. "Now it really feels like the finale. When I was interviewed by foreign media, I said it still didn't feel like 'Squid Game' had ended — but being here today, it finally hits me that the series is truly over." yoonseo.3348@
Korea Herald
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Netflix and the Seoul Metropolitan Government host parade and fan event for the mega hit's finale, uniting creators, cast and fans
"Squid Game" swept through Seoul on Saturday night as a large-scale parade featuring towering character installations and figurines from the Netflix megahit marched through the heart of the city, drawing crowds of eager fans along Sejong-daero. Co-hosted by Netflix and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the parade kicked off at around 7:50 p.m., about 20 minutes behind schedule. Held to celebrate the premiere of the show's third and final season, which debuted on Netflix Friday, the procession traveled from Gwanghwamun to Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall. To accommodate the festivities, Sejong-daero was closed to traffic and lined with safety cones and signage, while local police and event personnel worked together to manage the crowd. Despite the sweltering humidity and clouds of lovebugs, the atmosphere was abuzz as both local and international fans packed the streets to catch a glimpse of their favorite "Squid Game" mascots. "I really like the 'Squid Game' series, and I just finished watching the final season. I don't really know what the parade will be about, but I'm sure Young-hee will appear, so I'm looking forward to seeing her, how big she is in real life," said Evan, 30, an American expat living in Seoul. The spectacle was led by a massive rendition of the killer doll Young-hee and included replicas of signature props from the series. A giant piggy bank displayed the prize money total, while glowing O and X signs represented the show's voting system and enormous bubbles featured imagery of dalgona candies. Actors dressed in contestant uniforms reenacted scenes from the series, including the O and X persuasion sequence and the dance from the "Mingle" game, set to the "Round and Round" song. A marching band, outfitted in the show's pink guard costumes, played selections from the "Squid Game" soundtrack, with drums pounding and trumpets blaring. After the procession arrived at Seoul Plaza around 9 p.m., the marching band delivered an encore performance before the evening officially transitioned to the fan event. The fan event kicked off at around 9 p.m. with a media facade projecting iconic symbols from the series onto the Seoul Metropolitan Library, while a stage presentation brought together cast members from all three seasons for a live discussion. Fan-favorite actors from Season 1, including Park Hae-soo, Jung Ho-yeon, Anupam Tripathi, Lee Yoo-mi and Kim Joo-ryeong, appeared on stage. They were followed by Season 2 stars such as Choi Seung-hyun (also known as T.O.P), Im Si-wan, Jo Yu-ri, Yang Dong-geun and Kang Ae-sim. Lead actors Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun, as well as series creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk, also took part, reflecting on the conclusion of the franchise. The event was livestreamed on Netflix Korea's official YouTube channel. Though conducted in Korean, international fans were able to scan a QR code at the venue to access real-time English subtitles. On stage, director Hwang shared behind-the-scenes stories, including childhood games he had originally hoped to feature in the series, such as hopscotch and a Korean game translated as 'finding flowers.' He also offered heartfelt reflections on bringing the global hit series to a close. "I was so caught up in filming on the last day that I didn't really feel it, but since I poured everything I had into this project, the thought of it ending does make me feel a bit sad. At the same time, I've been carrying such a heavy burden on my shoulders for so long that it also feels like I can finally let go of that weight — it's a mix of emotions," said Hwang. Lee Jung-jae echoed the sentiment. "Now it really feels like the finale. When I was interviewed by foreign media, I said it still didn't feel like 'Squid Game' had ended — but being here today, it finally hits me that the series is truly over."
Korea Herald
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
'Squid Game' finale fan event set for June 28 in Seoul
Parade, fan event featuring key cast members including Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun to take place in Gwanghwamun and Seoul Plaza A fan event bringing together the creators and global fans of the cultural juggernaut 'Squid Game' is set to take place in Seoul, marking the end of a series that took the world by storm. The one-day event will unfold in two parts on June 28, a day after the release of the Netflix series' last season on June 28. Kicking off at 7:30 p.m. from Gwanghwamun, the 'Squid Game' parade will showcase iconic imagery from the series — including the killer doll Young-hee and the pink guards. The hour-long procession will make its way to Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall, featuring immersive performances and interactive events along the way. Following the parade, the official 'Squid Game' finale fan celebration will begin at 8:30 p.m. at Seoul Plaza. Creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk, along with stars Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, and other cast members, will be in attendance to commemorate the series' conclusion. Both Korean and global fans can pre-register for the event through until Thursday. The application includes playful prompts such as 'Which Squid Game challenge would give you the best shot at survival?' and 'Would you rather be a player or a pink guard?' Selected participants will receive exclusive seating and a special gift. The pre-registration process, available both in Korean and English, is only open for individuals aged 19 or older. Those successfully preregistered will be informed via email on June 20. For those unable to pre-register, the event remains open to the public, with standing-room access available on-site. The celebration will also stream live on Netflix Korea's official YouTube channel. The fan celebration will be conducted in Korean, but international attendees can scan a QR code at the venue to access the livestream with English subtitles. The festivities come one day after the release of 'Squid Game' season 3, June 27 on Netflix.
Korea Herald
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Stroll across Han River in car-free Jamsu Bridge Walking Festival
Popular 'space-out competition' to take place on May 11 at 4 p.m. The annual Jamsu Bridge Walking Festival returns this month, inviting Seoulites to unplug from their routines and enjoy car-free strolls across the Han River. Organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the festival will run every Sunday from May 4 to July 22 near Jamsu Bridge and Banpo Hangang Park, both in Seoul. Each Sunday, approximately 1.1 kilometers of Jamsu Bridge -- the submersible bridge spanning the Han River -- will be closed to traffic from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., transforming the space into a pedestrian-friendly zone. This year's theme, 'Painting a romantic walk with two feet," encourages visitors to enjoy the lush riverside scenery and embrace slow living through leisurely walks and curated activities. A crowd favorite, the 'space-out competition,' will return on May 11 at 4 p.m. Participants will compete to see who can stay most relaxed and idle -- a playful challenge in doing absolutely nothing. On June 1, Jamsu Bridge will host its first-ever sports match above the Han River, as the fencing team under the Seoul City Hall holds an exhibition game on the bridge -- shaped uncannily like a fencing piste. Additional highlights include a meditation session set to gugak, or traditional Korean music, and a sunset yoga class, scheduled for second and third Sundays of June, respectively, on Jamsu Bridge.
Korea Herald
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Once a quarry, now a village
Quarry-turned-village attracts hipsters with unique cliffside houses, hidden eateries in alleyways A row of houses sits perched on a rocky cliff, squeezed between large boulders, creating a stunning landscape that contrasts from the dense cluster of Seoul's typical apartment and office buildings. Changsin-dong Cliff Village is a distinctive residential area that lies 125 meters above sea level on Naksan, one of the mountains in inner Seoul, along which still stands remnants of a fortress from the Joseon era. The village's history traces back to the Japanese colonization of the Korean Peninsula (1910-1945), when Seoul witnessed a surge in new building constructions by the colonizers. From the early years of colonial rule until the late 1920s, the Japanese government established several state-run quarries in Changsin-dong to extract stone. The granite mined here was used in the construction of iconic structures, including the old Seoul Station, the headquarters of the Bank of Korea, the former Seoul City Hall and the Japanese Government-General of Korea building. The quarries continued operation until the early 1960s. After they ceased operations, impoverished urban migrants began building homes on the abandoned quarry site, gradually turning the area into a village that is now regarded as among Seoul's unique neighborhoods. Irregular in shape, the houses sitting on the cliffs may seem to be perched precariously from a distance, but up close, the rock beneath them appears to provide solid support. Beneath the cliffs lies another village, the distinctive vibes of which make it a popular filming location. Featuring tightly clustered multifamily homes, many of the houses — constructed between large rocks in the past — have mismatched proportions. This village has been featured in several Korean productions, including popular tvN series 'Guardian: The Lonely and Great God' and hit romance film 'Architecture 101.' Once hub of sewing industry Changsin-dong was once a bustling sewing town, with bikes constantly moving materials and clothes to and from small fabric factories. The secondhand clothing trade, through which the new settlers in Changsin-dong made a living, expanded into large sewing factories, turning the area into a production base for nearby wholesale clothing markets like Pyounghwa Market in Dongdaemun, the biggest wholesale clothing market in Korea. Amid the explosive growth of the country's garment industry and large shopping malls, Changsin-dong enjoyed the heyday of its sewing industry until the 1990s, but as the industry shifted to lower-wage China and Southeast Asian countries in the mid-2000s, the village began to face a swift downturn. Late last year, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced a redevelopment plan for Changsin-dong and nearby Sungin-dong, both considered to be among the city's most underdeveloped areas. The project will include the construction of a 6,400-unit residential complex, city officials said. Changsin-dong Cliff Village is famous among locals for its views of Namsan, thanks to its geographical advantage of being located on the northeastern side of Seoul's central mountain. With trendy cafes and restaurants emerging in the village to take advantage of its scenic views, Changsin-dong has begun to attract younger crowds in recent years. Hong Ji-eun, who was visiting a dessert cafe in the village on Monday afternoon, said, "It's a peaceful spot to relax while enjoying the city view.' While strolling through the village, visitors may come across a cavelike building housing a children's playground known as 'Sanmaru.' Inside is a large jungle gym. Walking along the gentle slope surrounding it and visitors eventually reach the top to enjoy a panoramic view of Namsan and the surrounding Dongdaemun area. Outside the playground, a small courtyard with tiered seating hosts various family-oriented events on pleasant days. 'Even though the neighborhood may seem worn-down, it offers a great view of Namsan, and with its unique playground and numerous alleyways, it's the perfect place for a light stroll with kids. I'd say it's definitely one of Seoul's hidden gems,' said Kang Young-ok, a 64-year-old villager and deacon at a church in Changsin-dong. cjh@
