The Incheon Tourism Organization (ITO) will hold the so-called 2019 East Incheon Romance Market Festival, from Oct. 5 to Oct. 6 under the theme “Revisiting East Incheon, Our Romance Market.”

The Incheon Tourism Organization (ITO) will hold the so-called 2019 East Incheon Romance Market Festival, an event designed to rekindle the past glories and lovely memories of the East Incheon Station area from Oct. 5 to Oct. 6.

The festival, hosted by the ITO and the Incheon municipal government, made its debut as one of its regional festivals.

The area was once one of the city’s largest commercial districts, with a cluster of big traditional markets. The festival, hosted by the ITO and the Incheon municipal government, made its debut as one of its regional festivals. The 2019 East Incheon Romance Market Festival is to be held under the theme “Revisiting East Incheon, Our Romance Market.”

The fest will feature exhibitions designed to reenact trends of past glories, traditional Korean markets’ representative items to eat, exciting music, tea houses, swing dances, hanbok flash mobs, and other events.

Those who participate in stamp tours or accomplish special missions will be presented with commemorative souvenirs.
The festival will coincide with side events, such as a children’s drawing contest, a kids’ flea market, as well as performances by singers from the region.

The festival takes on significance as residents in the neighborhood areas of the Songhyeon Market and the Baedali Handicraft Shopping Mall join forces with Incheon citizens and merchants in holding the festival. In particular, performances by singers from the region and a music concert will take place from Oct. 12 to Oct. 13 as post-festival events. They are part of efforts to revitalize neighborhood markets and shopping centers.

The Seochang Wonderland and the Michuhol Wonder Market are slated for the first week of December and the third week of the month, respectively, as part of efforts to nurture regionally specialized festivals.

ITO President Min Min-hong said, “Starting with the East Incheon Romance Market, three districts such as Seochang and Juan Station areas will host festivals tailored to meet their regional characteristics so that they can lead to continued revitalization of commercial areas and attracting of tourists. “

Korean, Chinese and Japanese drama writers and producers participating in the Asia Drama Conference get on a cruise as they made a familiarization tour designed to publicize Gangwha Island as a drama location hub on Sept. 6. (Photos: ITO)

Familiarization Tour to publicize Gangwha Island as a Drama Location Hub

The Incheon municipal government and the ITO jointly arranged a familiarization tour designed to publicize Gangwha Island as a drama location hub on Sept. 6.

About 120 Korean, Chinese and Japanese drama writers and producers on hand at the Asia Drama Conference that took place at Incheon Paradise City from Sept. 4 to Sept. 7 were invited to the tour. They toured tourist jewels of Gangwha Island such as the Joyang Banjik Textile Mill-turned café, Ganwha Mega Luge Seaside Resort, and Jeondeung Temple.

The participants, escorted by Ganwha Island storytelling guides, showed keen interest in such spots as Yongheung Palace, Ganwha Anglican Church and Gangwha Goryeo Palace.