[K-Travel] A muddy summer like no other in Boryeong

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에서 사람들이 머드를 뿌리고있다 AJP Han Jun-gu — People splash mud during the Boryeong Mud Festival on Jul. 27, 2025, in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province. AJP Han Jun-gu

BORYEONG, July 30 (AJP) - As an unforgiving heat wave grips the country, one of Korea’s most iconic summer events kicked off in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province. The Boryeong Mud Festival is famous for turning the seaside city into a playground of seawater-rich mud. Visitors throw, smear, and soak themselves in the mineral-packed silt near Daecheon Beach. People of all ages and backgrounds dive into the mud together, forgetting the heat as their sweat and sunburn disappear beneath thick, cool layers of earth. With vacation season in full swing, the festival drew crowds from across Korea and abroad.

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에서 사람들이 머드를 뿌리고있다 — People splash mud during the Boryeong Mud Festival on Jul. 27, 2025, in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province. AJP Han Jun-gu

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에서 한 아이가 액티비티를 즐기고 있다 — A child enjoys an activity during the Boryeong Mud Festival on Jul. 27, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

The joy of diving into mud

Mud is known for its skin benefits, from anti-aging effects to deep cleansing. The entrance begins with a light spray of water and the sight of large mascots painted in mud. As soon as visitors pass under a sign reading “The 28th Boryeong Mud Festival,” a volley of mud hits them. Instead of dodging it, people laugh and lean into the chaos. Faces smeared in gray-brown sludge reveal grins more at home in a horror-comedy. Everyone moves closer to the mud, with few clean spaces to be found. Some apply the mud by hand, others smear it on each other. It is a shared ritual, part skincare and part celebration.

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에서 한 아이가 아빠에게 머드를 발라주고있다 — A child applies mud to their father during the Boryeong Mud Festival on Jul. 27, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에서 사람들이 머드풀에서 바둑돌을 찾고있다 — Participants search for hidden stones in a mud pool on Jul. 28, 2025, during the Boryeong Mud Festival. AJP Han Jun-gu

In one of the main mud pools, about 20 to 30 people split into two teams. Games range from dance-offs and train relays to rock-paper-scissors and the challenging task of finding black stones buried deep in the mud. Faces inch closer to the ground as participants reach further, with some crawling flat-out in the thick pool.

People cheer after winning a game at the Boryeong Mud Festival on Jul 27 2025 AJP Han Jun-gu — People cheer after winning a game at the Boryeong Mud Festival on Jul. 27, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에서 아이들이 서로를 머드탕에 빠뜨리려 하고있다 — Children try to push each other into the mud on Jul. 27, 2025, during the Boryeong Mud Festival. AJP Han Jun-gu

Each game ends with a winning and losing team. The losers sit in the center of the pool, covering their ears as the winners unleash a rapid mud bombardment. After about 20 seconds of flying mud, the losing team emerges fully coated in dark sludge. Just when the crowd lets its guard down, the emcee yells, “It’s payback time!” and a second wave of mud comes flying in from all directions. No one is spared. Beyond the games, other challenges test visitors' strength and balance, from one-legged wrestling over the pool to staying upright on a spinning disc or racing through muddy obstacle courses.

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에서 관광객이 액티비티를 즐기고있다 — People enjoy muddy activities on Jul. 27, 2025, at the Boryeong Mud Festival. AJP Han Jun-gu

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에서 아이들이 액티비티를 즐기고있다 — Children enjoy a muddy obstacle course at the Boryeong Mud Festival on Jul. 27, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

A festival for the whole family

For children, it is the ultimate playground. While sand used to be the norm, few beaches now offer the kind of hands-on fun this muddy ground provides. Kids roll, crawl, and splash with unfiltered joy, their curiosity and energy running wild. Rest zones are also available for those exhausted from play. From shaded tents and cabanas to snack corners under trees, there are plenty of places to catch a break. For those hesitant to enter restaurants while covered in mud, designated delivery zones provide meals directly to rest areas.

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에서 아이들이 머드를 관찰하고있다 — Children examine mud during the Boryeong Mud Festival on Jul. 27, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에서 가족들이 사진을 위해 포즈를 취하고있다 — Families pose for a photo at the Boryeong Mud Festival on Jul. 27, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

Held every July in Boryeong, this year’s festival marks its 28th edition. Running from Jul. 25 to Aug. 10, it offers daytime mud fun and nighttime concerts and fireworks. Events change daily, including K-pop performances, talent shows, and drone light displays. For a fuller experience, visitors are encouraged to stay overnight to enjoy both day and evening events. Daecheon Beach, just a 5-minute walk from the festival grounds, is a perfect add-on for a summer swim.

2025년 7월 28일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에서 한 아이의 볼에 머드를 바르고있다 — A child gets mud applied to their cheek during the Boryeong Mud Festival on Jul. 28, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에 준비되어 있는 그늘막 — A shaded rest area set up for festivalgoers on Jul. 27, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에 준비되어있는 배달존 — A designated food delivery zone within the festival site on Jul. 27, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에서 사람들이 워터슬라이드를 타고있다 — People ride a water slide at the Boryeong Mud Festival on Jul. 27, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에서 한 가족이 사진을 찍기위해 포즈를 취하고있다 — A family poses for a photo at the festival on Jul. 27, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에서 사람들이 서로를 머드탕에 빠뜨리려 하고있다 — Participants try to throw each other into a mud pit on Jul. 27, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에서 사람들이 쏟아지는 물을 맞고있다. AJP Han Jun-gu

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에서 사람들이 머드에 맞기전 귀를 막고 있다 — Participants cover their ears before a mud splash at the Boryeong Mud Festival on Jul. 27, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

2025년 7월 28일 충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제에서 사람들이 축제장으로 입장하고있다 — Visitors enter the festival site on Jul. 28, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

2025년 7월 27일 충남 보령의 머드축제에서 밤에 열린 콘서트 — A nighttime concert lights up the Boryeong Mud Festival on Jul. 27, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

충남 보령에서 열린 머드축제 — Boryeong Mud Festival on Jul. 27, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

Han Jun-gu jungu141298@ajupress.com