In a move to boost nighttime tourism and celebrate regional cultural heritage, Gangneung City in South Korea’s Gangwon Province is set to launch an immersive media art show titled ‘Haseulla Gangneung Immersive Art Show’ beginning May 2, 2026. The preview opening will take place at the forested trails near the Heo Gyun-Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Park, located in the scenic Gyeongpo Lake area.
The exhibition transforms the pine forest pathways adjacent to the memorial park into a dynamic canvas where light, sound, and digital storytelling converge to reimagine ancient Gangneung’s legends and historical narratives. Organizers describe the experience as a fusion of technology and tradition, designed to engage both local residents and international visitors through sensory-rich installations.
According to verified reports from WowToday, a Korean media outlet covering cultural events, the project is part of Gangneung City’s ‘Fantasy Lake Realistic Content Production and System Establishment Business’ initiative. This municipal program aims to revitalize underutilized natural spaces by integrating cutting-edge media art with ecological preservation.
The immersive trail spans approximately 800 meters along the southern ridge of Gyeongpo Lake, winding through centuries-old pine trees that have long been a defining feature of the region’s landscape. Officials confirmed that the installation uses projection mapping, interactive sensors, and ambient audio to respond to visitor movement, creating a personalized journey through folklore associated with the Heo siblings—Heo Gyun, the Joseon-era writer best known for authoring The Tale of Hong Gildong, and his sister Heo Nanseolheon, a celebrated poet whose works were posthumously recognized across East Asia.
Each segment of the walk corresponds to a thematic chapter drawn from historical records and literary works attributed to the Heo family. One section visualizes Heo Nanseolheon’s early poetic genius, referencing her childhood composition Gwanghanjeon Baekoknang Sangrangmun, a poem written at age eight that imagined her as a celestial being in a jade pavilion. Another segment explores the societal constraints she faced later in life, including familial pressures and personal tragedy, which informed much of her later poetry.
Heo Gyun’s legacy is similarly represented through allegorical depictions of Hong Gildongjeon, often considered Korea’s first social critique novel. The narrative follows Hong Gildong, the illegitimate son of a nobleman who becomes a heroic outlaw advocating for equality—a story that resonated with progressive thinkers during the Joseon Dynasty and continues to inspire modern adaptations in literature, film, and theater.
The city emphasized that the exhibit avoids disrupting the natural ecosystem. All equipment is installed with minimal ground impact, and lighting is calibrated to avoid light pollution or disturbance to nocturnal wildlife. Visitor flow is managed through timed entry slots to preserve the meditative quality of the forest walk.
Admission to the preview and regular run of the show is free of charge, aligning with Gangneung’s broader strategy to make cultural experiences accessible. Operating hours are from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM daily, with the final entry permitted at 9:30 PM. The preview phase begins May 2, with the full official launch scheduled for mid-May pending feedback from initial visitors.
Local tourism officials anticipate the installation will complement existing attractions in the Gyeongpo area, including Gyeongpo Lake, Gyeongpo Beach, and the nearby Heo Gyun-Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Park grounds, which feature traditional architecture, a statue of Heo Nanseolheon, and a small museum detailing the siblings’ lives and literary contributions.
The memorial park itself, established to honor the Heo siblings’ cultural significance, is situated at 193-29 Heo Nanseolheon-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do. It remains open year-round with no entrance fee and offers informational panels in Korean and English about the siblings’ biographies, literary achievements, and historical context.
By blending historical reverence with innovative storytelling, Gangneung City aims to position the Haseulla Gangneung Immersive Art Show as a model for sustainable cultural tourism—one that honors the past while inviting audiences to experience it in entirely new ways.
What Visitors Can Expect at the Immersive Art Trail
The experience begins at the entrance to the pine forest path, where subtle lighting guides visitors onto the trail. As they walk, motion-triggered projections appear on tree trunks and the forest floor, depicting flowing calligraphy, shifting landscapes, and symbolic motifs from Heo Nanseolheon’s poetry—such as cranes, moonlight, and flowing robes.
Audio elements include traditional Korean instruments like the gayageum and daegeum, layered with ambient forest sounds and spoken-word recitations of Heo Nanseolheon’s verses in both original classical Korean and modern translations. The narration avoids direct exposition, instead allowing visitors to absorb the mood and meaning through sensation.
At the midpoint of the trail, a wider clearing hosts a 360-degree projection dome effect, where the canopy above appears to dissolve into a night sky filled with constellations referenced in Joseon-era astronomy texts. This segment draws inspiration from Heo Nanseolheon’s fascination with the cosmos, evident in several of her surviving poems that equate poetic inspiration with celestial observation.
Near the exit, the final installation focuses on Heo Gyun’s vision of social justice through Hong Gildongjeon. Here, visitors encounter interactive silhouettes that respond to movement, projecting figures of commoners, nobles, and Hong Gildong himself onto mist screens. The accompanying narrative poses questions about fairness, identity, and resistance—themes that remain relevant in contemporary discourse.
Benches made of untreated wood are placed at intervals along the route, allowing visitors to pause and reflect. Signage is kept to a minimum, with only small, unobtrusive markers indicating direction and thematic transitions. All text avoids spoilers, preserving the interpretive nature of the experience.
Cultural Significance and Community Impact
Gangneung officials stated that the project serves dual purposes: preserving intangible cultural heritage and stimulating off-peak tourism. By launching in May—just after the peak cherry blossom season but before summer heat—the city aims to extend visitor engagement into the late spring and early summer months.
The initiative also supports local artisans and performers. Though the core exhibit is technology-driven, Gangneung City plans to collaborate with regional cultural groups to host weekend performances nearby, including traditional music recitals, poetry readings inspired by Heo Nanseolheon, and puppet theater adaptations of Hong Gildongjeon.
Environmental stewardship was a key consideration in planning. The city consulted with forestry experts from Kangwon National University to ensure that no nails, wires, or fixtures would harm tree bark or root systems. All structures are freestanding or use existing clearings, and power is supplied via low-impact solar-assisted battery units concealed beneath leaf litter.
Public response during the preview phase will inform potential adjustments before the full launch. Feedback stations—both digital and physical—will be available at the exit, inviting visitors to share thoughts on pacing, clarity, emotional resonance, and accessibility.
For travelers planning a visit, Gangneung City recommends allocating 40 to 50 minutes to complete the full loop at a relaxed pace. Comfortable walking shoes are advised due to the natural terrain, which includes gentle inclines and uneven surfaces typical of forested trails. The path is not wheelchair-accessible in its current configuration, though officials noted they are evaluating options for inclusive design in future iterations.
As dusk settles over Gyeongpo Lake and the pine forest awakens with light and sound, the Haseulla Gangneung Immersive Art Show offers a quiet invitation: to walk slowly, listen closely, and discover how ancient voices can echo anew through the language of light.
Those interested in updates on operating hours, special events, or accessibility improvements can consult the official Gangneung Tourism website or contact the Gangneung City Culture and Tourism Division directly. Visitors are encouraged to share their experiences online using the official hashtag #HaseullaGangneung to facilitate spread awareness of this evolving cultural initiative.
Experience the convergence of history, nature, and innovation at the Haseulla Gangneung Immersive Art Show—where every step tells a story, and every beam of light carries a verse.