ARI-The Spirit of Korea
Apr 4 – Nov 27, 2026 · Happening now · Gangwon
Why go
ARI-The Spirit of Korea is a musical retelling of Jeongseon Arirang, one of Korea's three principal Arirang folk songs and part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The production follows a father and daughter through traditional melody, modern music, and 3D holograms, and has won recognition at the Adelaide Fringe and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe. It is staged in conjunction with the Jeongseon 5-Day Market, so visitors can pair the show with a local market visit.
Getting there from Seoul
Jeongseon is in Gangwon Province; from Seoul you can take a train on the Jeongseon line (from Cheongnyangni Station) or an intercity bus from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Jeongseon. From the Jeongseon train or bus terminal, the Jeongseon Arirang Center is a short taxi or local bus ride away. Allow roughly 3 hours total for the one-way trip.
Tips
- Time your visit with the Jeongseon 5-Day Market, since the show runs alongside it.
- The performance leans on music, staging, and holograms, so it's easy to follow even without Korean.
- Public transport to Jeongseon is infrequent, so check train or bus schedules in advance and plan return transport from this rural area.
Best for: culture enthusiasts, families, performing arts fans, first-time visitors.
Program
Arirang is a traditional folk song inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and represents the sentiments of the Korean people. This is why even a mere auditory experience of the lyrics, "Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo," evokes a profound emotional response among Koreans.
The lyrics and melody of Arirang exhibit slight regional variations. Jeongseon Arirang is particularly renowned, being regarded as one of the three principal Arirangs of Korea, along with Jindo Arirang and Miryang Arirang.
The musical performance titled ARI-The Spirit of Korea represents a reinterpretation of the traditional Jeongseon Arirang. The performance is regularly presented in conjunction with the opening of Jeongseon 5-Day Market. In 2023, the creative musical was bestowed with the Best Play and Musical Performance Award at the Adelaide Fringe, which is regarded as one of the three most significant performing arts festivals globally. In the current year, the production is undergoing an expansion of its presence by participating in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which is considered the largest performing arts festival worldwide. The musical has thus far received favorable reviews.
The primary figures in the work are Shin Gi-mok, a woodcutter and carpenter from Jeongseon, and his daughter, Ari. Shin traveled to Hanyang with the intention of constructing Gyeongbokgung Palace, yet he ultimately suffered a financial loss. Ari subsequently departed for Hanyang upon learning that her father, whom she had presumed to be deceased, was, in fact, still alive. The journey is depicted through a variety of elements, including the Jeongseon Arirang melody, contemporary music, and three-dimensional holograms, with the objective of creating a profound impression on the audience.
Other festivals in Gangwon
Gangwon
Pyeongchang Trout Festival
Jan 1 – Jan 31, 2027
*The information below is based on the 2026 festivals. Details for the 2027 festivals will be updated as they become available.*In the past, winters in this region were unforgiving. Heavy snowfalls buried villages, and neighbors would stretch ropes between their homes, carving tunnels through the snow to find their way from one house to another. When the bitter winds sweeping across the river caused the shallow channels to freeze and merge early in the season, people would hammer at large rocks beneath the ice catch fish and secure a precious meal. Today, the hardships endured by our ancestors have been transformed into celebration. Every year from late December through late January, the Pyeongchang Trout Festival brings this winter heritage to life under the theme, “A Winter Story of Snow, Ice, and Trout.” Visitors can experience the thrill of trout fishing on the frozen Odaecheon Stream, where the crystal-clear ice reveals fish swimming beneath the surface. Along with a variety of winter activities, the festival offers an opportunity to enjoy the true charm and excitement of a Korean winter.
Gangwon
Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival
Jan 31 – Feb 8, 2027
Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival is a festive winter event that takes place admist the grandeur of Taebaeksan Mountain. Various programs like a snow carving contest, snow sculpture exhibition, ice sledding, igloo café and more are planned for entertainment and fun.
Reach travelers heading to Gangwon: sponsor this page.
Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go.