Festival

“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 from Aug. 11-27, 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.

“The Great Battle of Hansan Festival 2011”: The Great Battle of Hansan (1592) is one of the four most famous sea battles in the history of Korea. Visitors to the festival, which celebrates the anniversary of the great event, will learn all about the battle while enjoying the beautiful natural scenery of Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province. This year, the festival will take place from Aug. 10 to Aug. 14 in Jungang-dong in Tongyeong. The festival’s highlight is a magnificent reenactment of the Great Battle of Hansan in which a battle between “Geobukseon,” or Korea’s turtle-ships, and Japanese ships is reenacted out in the ocean. Admission is free. For more information, call (055) 650-4531 or visit www.hsdf.or.kr.

“Busan Sea Festival”: The Busan Sea Festival will be held through Aug. 9 at locations including Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Beach, Song-do Beach and Songjeong Beach, as well as at various places in the city of Busan. It is Korea’s largest sea festival, and is a liaison of Busan International Rock Festival, Busan International Beach Dance Festival, Korean Sea Literature Festival, Busan Beach Game Festival and more. All participating beaches offer windsurfing and beach volleyball tournaments, pin-swimming tournament, and a lot more water sports events. Visitors can also take advantage of free lessons offered in ocean rafting, canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving and banana boat rides. For more information, call (051) 888-3395 or visit seafestival.co.kr.