Festivals

“The 14th Bucheon International Comics Festival”: The 14th Bucheon International Comics Festival will take place from Aug. 17 to Aug. 21 in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. Established in 1998, the festival has been aiming to discover and support new talents in the Korean cartoon industry. This year, the main theme will be “smartoon,” coined between smart and cartoon. The organizer said the theme represents the ever-changing digital era and the resulting new approaches to cartoons. Highlights will include an international kids cartoonist competition, a cartoon soundtracks concert, a robot competition, a character looks fashion show, animation cinema and national students’ cartoon final competition. Admission is free but several programs charge. Visit www.bicof.com. 

“2011 Icheon Ceramic Festival”: Icheon, boasting 1,000 years of history in ceramic arts, will hold the famous “Icheon Ceramic Festival” from Sept. 24 to Oct. 23 at the Seolbong Park in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province. Visitors will see a variety of Korea’s finest ceramics such as cheongja (celadon porcelain), baekja (white porcelain), and Buncheongsagi (grayish-blue powdered celadon). Highlights include the ceramics excavation program, and a workshop in which visitors can draw their own artwork on slightly heated pottery. Hot springs are located nearby as well for good relaxation. For more information, visit www.ceramic.or.kr.

“The 7th Jecheon International Music & Film Festival”: As the first festival in Korea to celebrate films with the theme of music, Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (JIMFF) will take place from Aug. 11-16 at theaters and concert halls in Jongmin-dong in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province. With an aim to expand the new film genre and contribute to diversification of film festivals, the main program will showcase music-themed films and documentaries from around the world. The music program will include multiple concerts featuring various pop and alternative musicians. Up to 30 aspiring film music directors will be able to learn film music composition and production from expert film music directors at the festival. Local dining, sightseeing and accommodation will be also available. For more information, call the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival Executive Committee on (043) 646-2242.

“The 14th Seoul Fringe Festival”: The 14th Seoul Fringe Festival will be held in the Hongdae area in Seoul through Aug. 27, offering visual art, theater, dance, music and multimedia. The event aims to promote the capital’s underground arts scene. While indoor art performances will be held across 31 theaters and clubs, outdoor performances will take place at around Hongik University Station on Subway Line Two and alleys, parks and playgrounds in the Hongdae area. Indie band Mimi Sisters created a logo song “Because of Fringe” which they will showcase on Aug. 11 for the opening of the festival. While outdoor events are free, tickets for the indoor shows are priced between 5,000 won and 20,000 won. For more information, visit www.seoulfringefestival.net/eng.