72nd Baekje Cultural Festival line-up: RESCENE, Huh Gak, Ailee and HaHa & Skull in Gongju

Key points

• Gongju has announced the headline performers for the 72nd Baekje Cultural Festival, running 3–11 October across Geumgang Singwan Park, Gongsanseong Fortress and the old royal town.
• RESCENE, Huh Gak and Yoyomi play the opening ceremony on 3 October; HaHa & Skull, Nerd Connection and Kim Eui-young close it on 11 October, and both nights end with a 1,000-drone show.
• In between come Kim Jang-hoon (7th), Baek Z Young (8th) and a JTBC Begin Again taping (6th), while Lee Chan-won, Ailee, Urban Zakapa and others play concerts on the 9th and 10th tied to a national market fair held alongside.

Gongju, in South Chungcheong Province, announced the main performers for the 72nd Baekje Cultural Festival on 23 September. This year's festival, themed 'Bronze Mirror: reflecting 1,500 years of Baekje's light', runs nine days from Saturday 3 to Sunday 11 October, with its main stage at Geumgang Singwan Park.

When and where is the festival?

Nine days, Saturday 3 to Sunday 11 October, across Geumgang Singwan Park, Gongsanseong Fortress and the old royal town in Gongju. The main stage is at Geumgang Singwan Park, and the official main-stage schedule runs from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. every day.

Who plays on which day?

The opening (3rd) and closing (11th) ceremonies are on the main stage at Geumgang Singwan Park. The 9th and 10th concerts are tied to the 22nd National Excellent Market Fair, held over the same days around Art Center GOMA and Baekje Culture Center.

The dates follow the line-up Gongju released on 23 September. The draft main-stage schedule posted on the official site on 9 September, however, lists Disability Culture Day 'Donghaeng' at 7 p.m. on 9 October, so if you are going for Kim Jang-hoon, check the date again before you travel.

What time do the opening and closing ceremonies start?

According to the draft main-stage schedule on the official site, the opening ceremony runs 7–9:30 p.m. on 3 October and the closing ceremony 6–8:40 p.m. on 11 October. The opening moves from a pre-show and the official ceremony to the headline sets, then ends with a 1,000-drone show and fireworks; the closing also ends with drones and fireworks after its headline sets.

Is there an admission fee?

The official site charges admission only for Mireu Island and the Baedari pontoon bridge: 7,000 KRW for adults (19–64), 6,000 KRW for middle and high school students and 5,000 KRW for Onnuri Gongju residents, and each ticket comes with a 3,000 KRW coupon for the festival grounds and partner shops. People 65 and over, primary school pupils, Gongju residents, people with severe disabilities (plus one carer) and anyone wearing Baekje dress get in free. The official information lists no charge for the ceremonies or concerts.

Can anyone watch the Begin Again taping?

No. Two sessions, daytime and evening, are planned on 6 October, about 10,000 people applied, and the venue and time are sent only to those who won a place.

Is there a shuttle bus?

Yes. According to the official site, a free shuttle runs every five minutes between Baekje Culture Center and Gongsanseong Fortress, non-stop, from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m., 3–11 October. It does not run on 6–8 October. If you park at Art Center GOMA, walk to Baekje Culture Center to board.