Seoul’s Summer Spectacle: Media Art Takes Over Dongdaemun Park!

Dongdaemun History and Culture Park, nestled near the iconic Dongdaemun Design Plaza in the heart of Seoul, is set to dazzle visitors this summer with an immersive media art experience unlike anything seen before.

Mark your calendars, art enthusiasts! The Seoul Design Foundation has just announced that Seoul Light DDP 2025: Summer will run from July 31 to August 10. This marks an exciting first as the beloved Seoul Light DDP event branches out into the summer season.

Since its debut in 2019, this cutting-edge festival has become a must-see on Seoul’s cultural calendar, traditionally lighting up the fall and winter nights at the DDP. The event’s star has only continued to rise, snagging the prestigious iF Design Award this February, hot on the heels of its 2023 Red Dot Award and IDEA Bronze wins.

As the sun sets each evening from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park will transform into a mesmerizing canvas. Prepare to be swept away by larger-than-life media art displays, all centered around the captivating theme “Timescape: Texture of Light.”

A spokesperson for the Seoul Design Foundation teased that this summer’s event is set to “go beyond” anything we’ve seen before.

“We’re not just sticking to the DDP’s 222-meter-long walls anymore,” the official revealed. “This time, we’re taking over the entire park and even incorporating a brand-new water feature. Trust us, it’s going to be a total sensory immersion.”

Get ready for a visual feast! The ancient walls of Hanyang Doseong (better known as the Seoul City Wall) will come alive with stunning media projections. But that’s not all – seven themed zones will showcase mind-bending installation art and dazzling laser displays throughout the park.
And for those sweltering summer nights? The new water space promises a refreshing twist, with ethereal fog and laser artworks creating a truly magical atmosphere.

“We wanted to give visitors a way to beat the heat while still being surrounded by incredible art,” a foundation representative explained. “The water feature is going to be a game-changer.”

The festivities kick off in style on July 31 with an opening ceremony you won’t want to miss. Prepare to be wowed by a fashion show celebrating hanbok, Korea’s breathtaking traditional attire. This sartorial spectacle is a collaboration between heritage brand Geumdanje and Oueur, known for their contemporary spin on classic patterns.

“Seoul Light DDP isn’t just an event, it’s a city-wide artistic experiment,” declared Seoul Design Foundation CEO Cha Kang-heui. “We’re blending light, people, and space to create something truly unique. By juxtaposing the historic Seoul City Wall with the ultra-modern DDP, we’re offering visitors a chance to see how art and urban landscapes can harmoniously coexist.”