Jeongnimsa's Festival of Light — Tomorrow Is Effectively the Last Night
In Buyeo, the ancient capital of Baekje (a kingdom that ruled southwestern Korea from the 4th century to 660 CE), a nearly three-week nighttime light festival closes tomorrow, Sept. 27. Today is effectively the last weekend to see the "Heritage Media Art" show staged at Jeongnimsa Temple Site, home to a national heritage five-story stone pagoda from Baekje's Sabi period.
At a glance: Dates Sept. 7-27 (21 days, ending tomorrow) · Hours 7-10 p.m. · Admission free · Location Jeongnimsa Temple Site, Buyeo County, South Chungcheong Province · Organizers Korea Heritage Service, Buyeo County · Inquiries 041-837-1722.
A temple site that sits quiet by day takes on an entirely different face after dark. The five-story pagoda, its pond and the surrounding woods all become a canvas of light, reinterpreting Baekje-era astronomy, craft and architecture through modern video art. The program is divided into zones with names like "Boundary of Light," "Light of Sabi" and "Lotus Pond of Light," with the scene shifting as you circle the pagoda; ripples of light play across the pond, and a wooded path is styled as a "path of wisdom." It's presented as an easygoing nighttime stroll rather than a seated show.
Since it's free, you can walk in without a reservation any time during the three-hour window from 7 to 10 p.m. Buyeo is roughly a two-hour bus or car ride from Seoul, making it doable as a day trip. If you're anywhere nearby, it's worth hurrying — miss tonight and there's no telling when the show returns.