Korea Life: Seoul Fireworks Festival

Once upon a time, a Korean coworker told 3 foreigners about this amazing fireworks festival in Seoul. She told them that they should go but she didn't tell them when it was or where they should go to watch it. So, the three foreigners got on a train on the weekend that they learned it was happening. The train was a little too full, so the foreigners sat in the luggage area of the train. Bending and contorting their bodies to fit in the tiny cubbies.

When they arrived in Seoul they looked up where to go and headed toward the fireworks on the subway. They didn't quite know what they were getting into. They finally arrived at their stop and saw the massive crowds of people shoving and pushing. They got really excited because there were sooooo many food stands. They decided to try all the delicious street food and ate along the way to the river.

Once they got to the Han River, they found everyone had already taken all the spots in the grass. They also realized that everyone had blankets to sit on. So, they bought a blanket and sat where they thought they could see the fireworks. Lots of people walked by them, a few stepped on them and a few dropped food on them. Finally the moment arrived, the fireworks were going to start. A flood of people ran forward and tumbled over them as everyone pushed and shoved holding their phones up high to take a picture. They were so scared, they didn't know what to do, and they had lost their blanket under all the feet. They realized they were also in a place that they couldn't actually see the fireworks.

After walking around for awhile, the foreigners became frustrated with all the pushing and all the people. So, they jumped back on the subway. That's when the magic happened. Their subway stopped at the best view of the fireworks, so that they could watch from the train. The fireworks were beautiful and the foreigners ooed and ahhed at the beauty.

They went home happy but once again sitting in the luggage racks.

Moral of this story: There is a fireworks festival in the summer in Seoul on the Han River. Get there early if you want a good spot along the river. Be prepared for giant crowds and pushing. Ride the subway back and forth for the best view of the fireworks.