A promotional poster for the 2026 Seoul Taekwondo Performance program / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
Seeking to capitalize on a surge of international interest in Korean culture, the Seoul Metropolitan Government launched its 2026 Taekwondo Performance program, anchored in the traditional backdrop of Namsangol Hanok Village and expanding this year to the neon-lit curves of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP).
The city’s move to scale up the program follows a banner year for the martial arts showcase. City officials said Friday that attendance in 2025 climbed more than 25 percent over the previous year, with audience satisfaction surveys yielding a nearly perfect score of 97.9 out of 100.
The primary stage remains Cheonwugak, a pavilion within the historic Hanok village in the Jung District. Two daily performances will be held there every weekend beginning Saturday and continuing through Oct. 18, although the city will pause the event during the sweltering peak of July and August. Ten specialized squads — including the world-renowned Kukkiwon and university demonstration teams — will cycle through a repertoire that ranges from rigid traditional forms to modern "fusion" choreography.
To bridge the gap between spectator and participant, the city has installed an on-site experience zone equipped with digital sensors. Visitors can test the force of their punches and kicks in a gamified format without the need for prior registration.
Starting in June, the city will introduce a curated program specifically for foreign tourists every Sunday. Following the afternoon show, participants can don a "dobok," the white cotton uniform of the sport, to learn basic strikes and the mechanics of breaking wooden boards. Those who complete the 30-minute session will receive a certificate and a belt dyed in "morning yellow," which municipal authorities have designated as Seoul’s official color of the year.
The expansion to DDP signals an attempt to weave the ancient discipline into the city’s contemporary fashion and design hub. Twelve street performances are scheduled at the landmark across the spring and autumn months. Detailed schedules and registration for the interactive sessions are managed through the program's official social media accounts.
This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
Source: Korea Times News
