Nodeul Island in Seoul will transform into a 'Light Art Island' where the Han River's waves blend with lasers and music.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on September 21 that the '2026 Seoul Light Han River Festival' will be held on Nodeul Island from October 2 to 11.
Now in its fourth year, the festival is a prominent nighttime media art event that connects art, nature, and urban life through light. It began in 2023 on Seorae Island and has since been held in Yeouido and Ttukseom Han River Park, moving this year to Nodeul Island, where the 'Nodeul Global Art Island' project is underway.
This year's theme is 'Rhapsody of Light,' featuring immersive media art works that express the energy of water, fire, soil, air, and life through light.
The main laser art exhibition will feature Taiwanese artist Aka Chang and the Italian duo Quiet Ensemble.
Aka Chang's 'Overlapping Immersion' projects lasers onto the surface of the Han River, creating a light landscape that changes with the waves and wind. Another piece, 'Ripples,' uses lasers, light, and sound to create an immersive space where viewers can walk through the artwork.
Quiet Ensemble's 'Sky' utilizes metal wires, lasers, and real astronomical data to depict the movements of the universe through light and sound, allowing visitors to experience walking among constellations made of light.
At the Nodeul Island Live House, local artists Muto, Cipica, and Paki will perform shows that combine laser and media art with music.
Cipica will present an electronic pop performance titled 'Old Fantasy' based on their 10th-anniversary album from October 3 to 4. Muto will perform 'Muto Ground: Nodeul' on October 8 and 9, blending geomungo, electronic music, folk songs, traditional music, and dance. Paki will showcase 'Rhythm of Connected Memories' on October 2, 5, 7, and 10, reconstructing urban images and memories using AI and digital technology.
Throughout the island, including the Nodeul Bridge, Nodeul Gallery, and riverside ecological garden, visitors can encounter works utilizing light, sound, video, and kinetic technology. Light sculptures created by students from Konkuk University, University of Seoul, and Sungshin Women's University, along with citizen participation light play programs, will also be available.
A social contribution program combining performances and donations, 'Together Light,' will debut from October 9 to 11, featuring performances and on-site and digital fundraising by artists including Choi Jeong-won, Park Seong-hee, Beomki, Ahn Se-gwon, Sean, and Kugi. On October 9, a 'Lighting Fashion Show' will involve students from the National University Student Fashion Association.
Additionally, from October 9 to 10, 'Light Island Lectures' will be held, featuring scientists and communicators discussing light, technology, and the future. Science communicator Hang Seong and Lee Jae-beom, brand consultant Noh Hee-young, and physicist Kim Beom-jun will be among the speakers.
During the festival, shuttle buses will run every 15 minutes from 6 PM to 10 PM, connecting Sin-Yongsan Station, Nodeul Island, Nodeul Station, and Noryangjin Station. A special ferry service will operate four times a day on weekdays and eight times a day on weekends between Yeouido Pier and Nodeul Island.
Choi In-kyu, the Seoul City Design Policy Director, stated, "We will showcase world-class media art and performances utilizing the natural space of Nodeul Island, aiming to expand citizen participation and sharing while contributing to the revitalization of the Han River's nighttime economy."
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on September 21 that the '2026 Seoul Light Han River Festival' will be held on Nodeul Island from October 2 to 11.
Now in its fourth year, the festival is a prominent nighttime media art event that connects art, nature, and urban life through light. It began in 2023 on Seorae Island and has since been held in Yeouido and Ttukseom Han River Park, moving this year to Nodeul Island, where the 'Nodeul Global Art Island' project is underway.
This year's theme is 'Rhapsody of Light,' featuring immersive media art works that express the energy of water, fire, soil, air, and life through light.
The main laser art exhibition will feature Taiwanese artist Aka Chang and the Italian duo Quiet Ensemble.
Aka Chang's 'Overlapping Immersion' projects lasers onto the surface of the Han River, creating a light landscape that changes with the waves and wind. Another piece, 'Ripples,' uses lasers, light, and sound to create an immersive space where viewers can walk through the artwork.
Quiet Ensemble's 'Sky' utilizes metal wires, lasers, and real astronomical data to depict the movements of the universe through light and sound, allowing visitors to experience walking among constellations made of light.
At the Nodeul Island Live House, local artists Muto, Cipica, and Paki will perform shows that combine laser and media art with music.
Cipica will present an electronic pop performance titled 'Old Fantasy' based on their 10th-anniversary album from October 3 to 4. Muto will perform 'Muto Ground: Nodeul' on October 8 and 9, blending geomungo, electronic music, folk songs, traditional music, and dance. Paki will showcase 'Rhythm of Connected Memories' on October 2, 5, 7, and 10, reconstructing urban images and memories using AI and digital technology.
Throughout the island, including the Nodeul Bridge, Nodeul Gallery, and riverside ecological garden, visitors can encounter works utilizing light, sound, video, and kinetic technology. Light sculptures created by students from Konkuk University, University of Seoul, and Sungshin Women's University, along with citizen participation light play programs, will also be available.
A social contribution program combining performances and donations, 'Together Light,' will debut from October 9 to 11, featuring performances and on-site and digital fundraising by artists including Choi Jeong-won, Park Seong-hee, Beomki, Ahn Se-gwon, Sean, and Kugi. On October 9, a 'Lighting Fashion Show' will involve students from the National University Student Fashion Association.
Additionally, from October 9 to 10, 'Light Island Lectures' will be held, featuring scientists and communicators discussing light, technology, and the future. Science communicator Hang Seong and Lee Jae-beom, brand consultant Noh Hee-young, and physicist Kim Beom-jun will be among the speakers.
During the festival, shuttle buses will run every 15 minutes from 6 PM to 10 PM, connecting Sin-Yongsan Station, Nodeul Island, Nodeul Station, and Noryangjin Station. A special ferry service will operate four times a day on weekdays and eight times a day on weekends between Yeouido Pier and Nodeul Island.
Choi In-kyu, the Seoul City Design Policy Director, stated, "We will showcase world-class media art and performances utilizing the natural space of Nodeul Island, aiming to expand citizen participation and sharing while contributing to the revitalization of the Han River's nighttime economy."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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