The Boryeong Mud Festival at Daecheon Beach, South Chungcheong Province, takes place from July 14-24.

The area is famous for its slate-colored mud with supposed properties to aid the skin.

Organizers say about 2 million people come each year to paint the town red ― and themselves gray. 

It is also one of the most popular festivals among foreigners, with several groups organizing weekend trips being set up to converge on the beach town to enjoy the ooze.

This year’s offerings include a huge mud tub, mudslides, a colored mud zone and a mud fountain. There is a “mud marathon” on July 21.

On top of the quirky sun, sand and slop combination, there will be beachfront entertainment on the opening day from Dal Shabet, Teen Top and Wink.

There will be other performances throughout the festival.

The festival coincides with the Green Groove Festival at the same beach on July 21 and 22. Top performers are Akon, Infected Mushroom, Deli Spice, 10cm, Mighty Mouse. Tickets for Green Groove are 33,000 won for one day and 55,000 won for both days. More information is available at greengroove.net.

Accommodation is usually scarce, so it is advisable to book in advance.

For more information, visit www.boryeongmudfestival.com.

By Paul Kerry (paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)

Go in a group

Several organized trips are available for the festival. Here are just a few:

Korean Safari (from Seoul)

July 14-15; 75,000 won

Price includes travel and accommodation

http://www.koreansafari.com

Kimchi Travel (from Seoul)

One day: July 14, 15; 50,000 won

Two days: July 14-15, 21-22; 80,000 won

Price includes travel, insurance, and accommodation on two-day tour.

http://kimchitravel.com/15th-boryeong-mud-festival

Adventure Korea (from Seoul)

July 21-22; 81,000 won

Includes travel, accommodation, mud marathon

http://www.adventurekorea.com

Daegu Compass (from Daegu)

July 14-15; 119,000 won

Includes food, drink, transport accommodation

http://www.daegucompass.com/mudfest