Seoul to host 400-meter chicken feast, media art show in the submerged bridge
A 400-meter-long table serving Korean fried chicken will line Seoul’s Jamsu Bridge on Oct. 25 for a pedestrian-friendly festival, following a massive media display as the bridge transforms from decades-old traffic infrastructure into a public cultural venue.
One of Seoul’s most beloved Han River destinations, Jamsugyo, will bring together around 2,000 participants, including independent businesses and franchise brands from across Korea, to serve a variety of chicken dishes along the river, according to the city government.
"The event will provide an opportunity for various brands and small businesses from across the country to meet with citizens under the theme of chicken, a food commonly enjoyed at the Han River," a Seoul Metropolitan Government official said in a statement.
The event will mark the finale of the "Car-free Jamsu Bridge Ttubeok-ttubeok Festival," a pedestrian-only carnival held on the bridge and at nearby Banpo Hangang Park on Sundays in September and October.
During the festival, the bridge becomes pedestrian-only from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and traffic on the Northern and Southern zones of the bridge is blocked for safety.
Beyond the chicken feast, the festival offers a range of activities along the 795-meter-long bridge, including picnic areas, flea markets and live busking performances.
Visitors can also draw on the bridge's arch-shaped section, known as the "Camel Hump," using erasing pastel crayons. A playground on the northern side features attractions including Ttu-ttu Bounce, a 5.2-meter-high inflatable slide and bowling games.
The bridge is also set to transform into a giant media facade from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Oct. 18, with projections displayed between the bridge's 25th and 28th piers.
The regular rainbow fountain will also run at noon and every half hour from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. during the festival.
The festival comes just ahead of Jamsu Bridge's planned conversion into a fully pedestrian bridge on Oct. 26.
Built in 1976 as a vehicular bridge, the lower part of the double Banpo Bridge had two of its four lanes converted for pedestrian use in 2008. It has since become a popular gathering spot for visitors to gather and enjoy views of the Han River.
mjcha@heraldcorp.com