600-Year-Old Haemi Fortress to Host 'Time Portal' Festival on Hangeul Day

Haemi Fortress in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, will transport visitors back to the time of the Joseon Dynasty over 600 years ago. Upon entering the fortress, attendees will receive a 'hopa' on their smartphones, allowing them to participate in archery and historical exams. At night, the fortress walls and sky will come alive with light and video displays showcasing its history.

On September 16, Seosan City and the Seosan Cultural Foundation held a press conference at a restaurant in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, announcing that the 23rd Seosan Haemi Fortress Festival will take place from October 9 to 11. This year's theme is 'HAEMI UNIVERSE 1421, the Time Portal Opens,' marking the year Haemi Fortress was completed.

This year's festival shifts from 'viewing history' to 'experiencing history.' The entire Haemi Fortress will be transformed into an immersive historical space, weaving together various programs into a single narrative.

The story begins in 1416 with King Taejong's military training, known as 'Gangmu.' To prepare for potential invasions by Japanese pirates, he commanded large-scale military drills in the Dobisan and Haemi areas of Chungcheong Province. A young Prince Chungnyeong, who would later become King Sejong, also participated. Haemi Fortress was completed five years later, in 1421.

This year, the reenactment of King Taejong's military procession, which has been a part of past festivals, will take center stage. The event will evolve from a simple parade to a performance that narrates the journey of Taejong and Prince Chungnyeong, culminating in the construction of Haemi Fortress.

Festival director Lee Jeong-min stated, 'Haemi Fortress is not just an administrative center but the frontline built to protect the nation. The historical fact that a strong defense enabled a peaceful era has been revived as a grand narrative of the festival, highlighting the moment when two giants, Taejong and Sejong, met.'

Visitors will not just be spectators. By scanning a QR code at the entrance, their smartphones will transform into a 'hopa' from 1421. They can then explore the fortress and participate in military and civil service exams. Successful candidates will receive a red certificate, and the top scorer will be named 'Daily Governor of Haemi.'

The 600-year-old fortress walls will also serve as a stage for the festival. Haemi Fortress features 'gakjasungseok' (inscribed stones) that show the participation of various cities, including Gongju, Cheongju, and Cheonan, in its construction.

During the opening ceremony, a modern interpretation of 'gakjasungseok: 23 Cities Build the Fortress with Light' will be presented. Large lanterns representing the 23 cities and counties of Chungcheong Province will be lit, connecting the history of their joint construction to today's regional solidarity.

Im Jin-beon, head of the Seosan Cultural Foundation, explained, 'Last year's festival highlighted traditional craftsmanship, while this year we broaden the scope to include the historical consciousness of solidarity and self-defense in Chungcheong Province. We will honor the unity of the 23 cities that inscribed their names on the fortress walls by lighting the lanterns during the opening ceremony.'

In the night sky, a fleet of 1,000 drones will take flight. The drone light show will occur five times over the three days, depicting ten scenes, including the soaring golden eagle, the completion of Haemi Fortress in 1421, the Chungcheong Provincial Military Command, and the military procession of King Taejong.

A 'Path of Light' will connect the main axis from Jin-nam Gate to the Eastern Hall, integrating light, video, and drones to transform the nighttime scenery within the fortress.

The historical significance of Haemi as a military stronghold will also resonate with contemporary themes. Outside the fortress, a 'Haemi Defense Road' will feature one-third scale models of the intercept missiles 'Cheongung' and 'Shingung,' along with Air Force tactical vehicles and drone simulators. This program connects the historical site of the provincial military command during the Joseon Dynasty with modern defense technology.

The history will also be reflected on the dining table. On October 10, a limited paid program titled 'Haemi Feast on Eight Plates' will be held at the Eastern Hall and Inner Hall, limited to 60 participants.

Instead of a typical course meal, the history of Haemi over 600 years will be divided into eight scenes, from King Taejong's military training to the 'Return of the Golden Eagle,' each served on a separate plate.

Chefs Kim Seong-woon from Table Popo and Kim Ji-young from Korean restaurant Gyuban will participate, utilizing local ingredients such as rice from Seosan's reclaimed land, six-clove garlic, and Korean beef, paired with Haemi strawberry sparkling, wild chrysanthemum wine, and ginger liquor.

The performance schedule will continue over the three days. On October 9, the festival will kick off with a drone show featuring 1,000 drones and a celebratory performance by Jang Yoon-jung. On October 10, the Air Force's Black Eagles aerobatic team will perform, along with 'Haemi the Classic' and a taekwondo martial arts performance. The final day, October 11, will feature a large-scale live musical 'Become the Moon' against the backdrop of Cheongheojeong Hill and the concluding drone light show.

The Seosan Haemi Fortress Festival was selected as a 'Local 100' by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2023 and has been recognized as a top festival in Chungcheong Province for 2024 and 2025.

Seosan Mayor Lee Wan-seop stated, 'Through this festival, we aim to elevate it to a global representative K-festival that merges tradition, the present, and the future.'

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