Updated : 2025-12-27 00:33:22 KST
The last day of the year is just around the corner less than a week to go making it the perfect time to soak up the winter atmosphere. Downtown Seoul is packed with winter events. And if you want to know more, we have our culture correspondent Park Kun-woo in the studio. Welcome, Kun-woo. Great to be here, Soo-jin. So, Kun-woo, take it away. Soo-jin, as we're heading to the very end of 2025, Seoul has prepared many enjoyable events to help people unwind and enjoy the season. I've visited two of the city's major events myself. One is one of the biggest Christmas markets, called the "Gwanghwamun Market" near Gwanghwamun Square, of course, in central Seoul.
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take it away; To begin, 시작!
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Even though Christmas is over, this market will continue for several more days, so for those who missed it, now is another chance to visit. The scene feels totally like stepping into a Christmas fairytale, as inside the market, it's bustling with visitors, while hundreds of vendors sell everything from Christmas goods to local handmade items, including Rudolph-shaped candles, colorful wrapping cloths, and traditional lucky pouches. Photo spots are everywhere, like the big merry-go-round, which is especially popular with families with children. "It really feels like Christmas and is such a nice experience.
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fairytale 동화, 옛날 이야기
wrapping cloth 직물제 보자기
pouch 주머니
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There's so much for the kids to enjoy the merry-go-round, photo spots, and even small things to buy." An interesting twist is that these shops have been changing every week through the end of the month, giving visitors a magical chance to discover something new each time they come. And now through December 31, the final edition is on display. An official from the host organization explains why it was so important to create this kind of event, especially at this time of year during the nighttime. "Winter is usually the off-season here, especially at night. But tourists still need things to see and enjoy after dark. That's why we created this, and we plan to expand it even further."
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twist (이야기·상황의 예상 밖의) 전환[전개]
off-season 비수기
expand 확대하다
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On site, there were visitors from across the globe, such as European tourists familiar with traditional Christmas markets back home. "We didn't realize that Christmas is quite so popular here. I certainly wasn't expecting to see a Christmas market. It's absolutely beautiful. The light show was fantastic. Everyone seems really happy." And as night falls, the lights become even more dazzling. Just a short walk away, Cheonggyecheon Stream is glowing with its light festival, running through early January. The displays are made of Korean traditional paper "hanji," featuring illuminated sculptures that blend tradition with modern design.
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blend 섞다, 혼합하다
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One standout is the Pokémon character "Magikarp" as it's gone viral on social media, drawing even more visitors. Together, the Gwanghwamun market and Cheonggyecheon light festival have already attracted millions of visitors. Due to high popularity, operating hours have recently been extended by around an hour, and the Seoul Tourism Organization now aims to welcome six million visitors this season. And thanks to all of that, downtown Seoul's winter nights are feeling much warmer, brighter, and just a little more magical than ever before. Very interesting. Now I'm wondering why Christmas markets become so popular in Korea? Christmas markets have been gaining popularity in recent years.
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standout 아주 눈에 띄는 것
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And one expert explains what's behind the trend. "As cultural globalization grows, more people are becoming familiar with Christmas traditions, boosting the appeal of related events. And today, travel doesn't always mean going far, as everyday spaces can offer new cultural experiences close to home." But he added that more can be done to make the market more welcoming to a wider audience. "To be more meaningful, markets need to go beyond shopping. Hands-on experiences like games and food-making can turn visitors into active participants."
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Hands-on 직접 해 보는
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And he added that incorporating K-content such as K-pop themes could help create a Christmas market experience unique to Korea, especially for visitors from abroad. And I heard there are more winter events taking place in Seoul, other than the ones you've mentioned. Absolutely. More winter events kicked off across the city this month. At Hangang River parks, a new snow sled park has opened, running through mid-February. Locations include Yeouido in central Seoul and Ttukseom in the east of the city. For details, viewers can check the website now on the screen.
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incorporating 총합적(總合的)인
Location 장소[곳/위치]
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And an outdoor ice rink also opened at Seoul Plaza. With admission costing less than a dollar, it's an affordable way to enjoy winter, especially if you're a big fan of ice skating. I'd also want to recommend the New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony at Bosingak Pavilion, located in Jongno-gu District, downtown Seoul, where large crowds gather on the last day of each year to wait for the bell ringing 33-times at midnight to welcome the new year. Arirang News will be broadcasting the ceremony live, so stay tuned for it on the very last day of this year during our special news cast. Alright, Kun-woo, thanks for all of that. And I hope you have a great rest of the year. Same to you, Soo-jin. Thanks.
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영어 원문 출처 및 동영상 링크;
arirang news/Life/Culture
https://m.arirang.com/news/view?id=290899