Found posted on 10 Media.
12/31 – 1/16 New Year’s Concerts
“Some of the most famous international superstars are coming to Korea to celebrate the new year! Close your eyes and imagine Michael Bolton serenading “How Can I Live Without You” as you ring in the new year. South of the river, Korea’s very own Bi (rain) will be making ladies swoon with his smooth voice and slick dance moves. Sting will give a grand performance for his Southeastern Asian fan base as he helps usher in the first few weeks of the New Year.”
December 31stMichael Bolton Concert
When a man loves a woman, he buys her tickets to a Michael Bolton concert Only for the true romantics. Hwajeong Gymnasium at Korea University near Anam Stn. (line 6). 8 pm. W88,000 – W132,000. 1599-3066
Rain in Concert
End 2010 with “Bi” (rain), one of South Korea’s most famous entertainers. Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium near Sports Complex Stn. (line 2). 6 & 11:30 pm. W66,000 – W165,000. 1544-1555
January 11th
Sting Concert
Former front man for the Police, solo artist, yoga master, and actor, Sting has a peerless resume, and his musical work over the past two decades is just as impressive. See him in Seoul as part of Hyundai Card’s Super Concert series at the Gymnastics Arena at Olympic Park near Olympic Park Stn. (line 5, ex. 3). 8 pm. W77,000 – W230,000. ticket.interpark.com 02-3141-3488
So aren’t you glad that you are staying in Seoul or even visiting? Just look at the star studded list of entertainers who will be in town to entertain you people.
Yes, Christmas is over and it won’t be long before we say goodbye to year 2010 and welcome to year 2011. As the year draws to a close, Koreans gather at sunrise festival locations across the nation to welcome in the first sunrise of 2011. Each New Year will see Korea’s New Year Festival of watching the 1st sunrise of the year being celebrated throughout the Korean Peninsula on a grand scale.Why not celebrate this New Year Korean style by staying up all night (or getting up in the wee hours of the morning) to see the last sunset of 2010 and the first sunrise of 2011? There is a Korean custom to make a wish when seeing the first sunrise of the New Year. Koreans wish for a number of things, including health for the family, love, money, travel, job, or entrance to a good college. They concentrate on their fondest wishes and hope that they will all come true. So if you too have a fervent wish you have in your heart, why not do like the Koreans do? Go watch the first sunrise of the year and make a wish. You never know, it might come true!
The best sunrise destinations are cities along the East Coast. Of these, the most popular are Jeongdongjin, Gyeongpo Beach, and Jumunjin Beach in Gangneung; Hajodae Beach and Naksan Beach in Yangyang; Chuam Beach in Donghae; Sokcho Beach, Dongmyeonghang Port and Daepohang Port in Sokcho; Hwajinpo Beach in Goseong; and Homigot Cape in Pohang. Every year during the New Year period, these East Coast locations organize a variety of festivities for visitors to enjoy.
Following is a list of festivals and destinations to watch the first sunrise of the year sourced from 10 Magazine and see if it matches the above destinations. But unfortunately, due to a recent outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease, a number of festivals have been canceled this winter including the Homigot National Sunrise Festival at Homigot, one of the easternmost points on the Korean peninsula, the Catching the Sunrise at Uljin-gun, the Ilwol Mountain Sunrise Festival and the Seongju Sunrise Festival in Gyeongsang Province.
It’s a pity that Homigot is left out in the celebrations this time, because located in the far eastern tip of the Korean peninsula, the tail of the tiger, Homigot, is one of the best locations where the sunrise can be first seen all around Korea.
Homigot is also popular for its unique sculptures 'Hands of Harmony'. One hand stands on land while the other stands in the ocean’s water. These sculptures are made of bronze and granite. The hands were constructed in 1999 to symbolize the continuing efforts of all Korean citizens to pursue a better quality of life. The sculptures are the most impressive at sunrise when the sunlight shines on them.
The Homigot Sunrise Festival, has had as many as 170 thousand people attending at one time. Even when there is no festival, Homigot Beach is still a popular place where many visitors go to see the sunrise the whole year round.
These are a few photos of a past celebration in Homigot, to show you the festivities going on at that time.
And now to continue with our list of places where we can watch the 1st sunrise of 2011.. Gangwon Province
The Sunrise Festivals on the East Sea, in Gangwon boasts of it’s great scenery, exciting concerts, and loads of fireworks.Gyeongpo (Gangneung): On the white sands of Gyeongpo Beach, find out why Gangneung is one of the best places to see the sunrise in Korea.
Gyeongpo Beach is one of the biggest beaches on the east coast and is well-known for its beauty, which shows itself in a different light throughout the year. On New Years Day, people gather in a huge celebration of the New Year, watching fireworks and participating in an array of programs.
Jeongdongjin (Gangneung): Famous not only as the location of the drama Hourglass but also for its rugged natural beauty. Get off of the train in Jeongdongjin and walk only a few meters to the beautiful beach and its large hourglass. The beach’s hourglass is so big that it takes one full year for the sand in the top to fall to the bottom. At 12am on New Years Eve, the last grains trickle down and the hourglass is turned over once again as part of a grand ceremony, kicking off the brand-new year.
Donghae: The Chuam and Mangsang beaches here host a Korean flag parade and a fireworks show.
Taebaek Mountain: Weary and aching from your climb, you reach the summit in time to see the sun rise above a sea of clouds. Concerts and other events held at Danggol Plaza. festival.
Yangyang: Legend has it that any wish made from atop Naksan mountain during the first sunrise of the year is sure to come true! Head to Yangyang to make your wish in the mountains before coming back down to the beach to join in festivities.
Daecheon Sunset Festival takes place on Daecheon Beach in Boryeong, more famous as the location of the mud festival. This beach is the perfect place to share the last moments of 2010 with your loved ones. There will be a variety of activities and shows to enjoy such as a candle procession, choir concert and a fireworks show.
Gyeongsang Province
Busan New Year’s Sunset and Sunrise Festival
If you’re not watching the ball drop or partying with friends, why not head down to the beach with the tens of thousands of Koreans who join in Busan’s Sunset and Sunrise Festival? As one of Busan’s most distinctive winter events, the festival is composed of the sunset fest at Dadaepo Beach, the bell tolling ceremony at Yongdusan Park, and the sunrise fest at Haeundae Beach. Tons of activities and games will keep you busy from 11 pm until the first daylight of 2010.
Ganjeolgot New Year’s Festival
Visitors at Ganjeolgot, a picturesque promontory near Ulsan, get the first glimpse of the rising sun each morning throughout the continent of Asia. Be the first to welcome in the New Year by being there.Ganjeolgot is one of the seaside locations where people all across the nation gather to celebrate the New Year and watch the 1st sunrise of the New Year. This New Year’s Sunrise Festival includes interactive events such as stargazing programs and mosaic making. Visitors can also learn about the Ganjeolgot Lighthouse and the city of Ulsan through a series of 3D video clips. New Years celebrations also include a wide array of events such as fireworks, eating tteokguk (an important New Years tradition), and a diverse range of performances.
Gijang Sunrise Festival
A drum show and all of the other New Year’s events are to take place at Imnang Beach. Gijang-gun just outside of Busan.
Jeolla Province
Haenam Sunset Festival
Craft and product exhibitions, tasting area, food marketplace, dance performances, family oncerts, kite flying, and surprise events
Yeosu Hyangilam Sunset Festival
Experience a beautiful sunrise against the backdrop of Yeosu’s lush trees and rocks.
Yeongam Lake Sunrise Festival
Starting at 7 am, listen to military bands perform, release balloons, share the lucky rice cake, and write New Year’s postcards. If that doesn’t remind you of a typical New Year’s Day, just remember that this is Korea. Plaza in front of Hotel Hyundai in Yeongam-gun, south of Gwangju.
Jeju Island
Whilst most of the other places to watch the first sunrise of the New Year are cold, watching the Seongsan Sunrise Festival at Seongsan Ilchulbong “Sunrise Peak” in Jeju, is probably the warmest place in Korea to enjoy it. Join the countdown and welcome in the New Year at Jeju’s premier sunrise attraction, Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak (also known as Sunrise Peak). Fishermen from every port will turn on their boat lights and blow their whistles in unison to mark the occasion. With the port town down below and a view of the sun coming up over the ocean, it is truly a spectacular sight to see.
Don’t worry, if you are in Seoul you can still watch the first sunrise of the year by joining the crowds at the Heaven Park Sunrise Festival, at Heaven Park, near the World Cup Stadium or at the Acha Mountain Sunrise Festival at Sunrise Plaza, Acha Mountain.
So, made up your mind where you want to watch your first sunrise of the year yet? Hurry or you’ll miss out on all the fun and not to forget the wish that might come true!
So, see you next year! A Happy New Year to all!
Special thanks and appreciation to the following
Photos and articles © courtesy:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=668448
http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Winter-Festivals-In-Korea-Part1--December/1881719#ixzz19MYHy3iV
http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/index. kto
http://10magazine.asia/2010/12/22/korean-new-years-festivals/
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