Bangeo Festival on Jejudo

The annual Bangeo Festival returns to Moseulpo Port this month. This popular festival is held every year in November on the southern island of Jejudo. It celebrates the yellowtail fish, which is a prized seasonal delicacy of the area.

Visitors can try fishing for yellowtail as well as sample other Jejudo specialties such as grilled black pig and galchi jorim (spicy braised white fish). Festival participants can not only enjoy fresh bangeo at the festival, but can also pack some of the fish to have at home.

The festival will be from Thursday to Nov. 20. There will also be a fireworks show and a live singing competition. For more information, visit bangeofestival.com. 


Gunsan, Seocheon Migratory Bird Festival

The annual Gunsan-Seocheon Migratory Bird Festival will be held this year from Friday to Nov. 20. The festival will be held throughout the Geumgang River Migratory Bird Observatory, Geumgang Wetland Ecological Park and the Seocheon Bird Village Exhibition Hall.

Held by Gunsan-si and Seocheon-gun, the festival kicks off with an opening ceremony in Gunsan-si and will offer participants a wide a variety of nature-related programs such as hands-on ecological programs and exploration tours.

To reach Gunsan from Seoul, take an intercity bus from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal or the Seoul Central City Terminal to Gunsan Intercity/Express Bus Terminal. For more information, visit gmbo.gunsan.go.kr. 


Seoul Lantern Festival

First launched in 2009, this year’s annual Seoul Lantern Festival will be held until Nov. 20 along the Cheonggyecheon in Seoul. As one of the most anticipated festivals in Seoul, the annual festivities attract roughly 3 million visitors every year.

Visitors can view beautifully lit lanterns scattered all along the 1.2-kilometer-long Cheonggyecheon, stretching all the way from Cheonggye Plaza and Supyogyo Bridge. The lanterns will be lit daily from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Other activities include a lantern-making contest as well as hanging and floating lanterns. Many of the festival’s activities require advance registration. For more information, visit www.seoullantern.visitseoul.net.


Korean Folk Village Historical Drama Festival

The Historical Drama Festival, a festival dedicated to Korean historical dramas, is being held daily at the Korean Folk Village until Sunday.

At the event, K-drama historical fantasies come to life as the folk village is transformed into a center for Hallyu. The village offers entertainment such as performance arts and hands-on programs related to historical dramas and drama parodies. There is also the chance to dress up as characters from historical dramas.

Admission prices range from 8,000 won to 24,000 won. For more information, visit www.koreanfolk.co.kr. 


Gwangju World Kimchi Culture Festival

It is not possible to talk about Korean cuisine without mentioning the country’s No. 1 staple -- kimchi. And the annual festival is being held in none other than the home to the nation’s only kimchi theme park, the Gwangju Kimchi Town.

This year’s festivities will be from Friday to Nov. 22. During the festival, participants will not only have the opportunity to learn how to make their own kimchi, but can also participate in a variety of cooking and kimchi-related programs. Visitors also have the chance to see a wide assortment of Korean kimchi, as well as similar fermented dishes from around the world.

One of the event’s highlights is the Kimchi Master Competition, where those behind the festival’s best kimchi will be awarded the Kimchi Presidential Prize.