If your timeline suddenly turned glittery tonight, you’re not alone. Seoul just threw its biggest autumn party in the sky: the Seoul International Fireworks Festival at Yeouido Hangang Park. Organised by Hanwha, this year’s theme was “Light Up Together,” with teams from Korea, Italy, and Canada painting the river with color. Local media estimate around 1 million people showed up (!), and the city rolled out heavy traffic control and safety ops to keep things smooth. 매일경제+3코리아타임스+3조선일보+3
Tonight’s quick hits
- Showtime: The main fireworks blasted from around 7:20 p.m. for about 70 minutes—the golden hour turned rainbow hour. 매일경제
- Crowd hacks: Locals camped all day with picnic mats; alternative viewing spots along other Han River parks were recommended earlier this week (Seonyudo, Mapo Bridge, Namsan, etc.). Save these for next year. Korea Joongang Daily
- Livestream hype: Hanwha promoted official streaming—so even if you’re abroad, replays and clips are already popping up on social platforms. Korea Joongang Daily
Fun entertainment tie-ins (for the fandom brain 🧠✨)
- SEVENTEEN x Fireworks lore: Back in May, SEVENTEEN literally turned the Han River into a party during their “B-Day Party: Burst Stage” on Jamsu Bridge—complete with fireworks and water effects. Tonight’s festival revived those “Burstday” vibes across the city, and Carats on my feed were feeling nostalgic. (If you missed that story: it drew tens of thousands and closed a bridge. Iconic.) Korea Joongang Daily
- K-pop playlist energy: While the festival itself is a pyrotechnic showcase, the fan-made soundtracks around the park were peak K-culture—light sticks, buskers, and convenience-store snack runs between bursts. (If you like fewer crowds, JoongAng’s alt-viewing list is clutch for a chill K-drama-style date spot next year.) Korea Joongang Daily
What overseas fans can do right now
- Watch the clips: Search tonight’s tags like #SeoulFireworks / #Yeouido—look for reels shot from Yeouido, Ichon, and Banpo. IG accounts posted real-time snippets and schedule cards through the day. Instagram+1
- Pin the fall festival calendar: If you’re visiting later this year, Busan Fireworks Festival is set for Nov 15 at Gwangalli Beach (reserved seats sell fast). Different city, different vibe, still spectacular. 부산시청+1
- Plan a “K-date route”: Bring a mat, hit a Han River park early, and line up a mini K-pop playlist (SEVENTEEN’s “Thunder” from the anniversary set is a cheeky on-theme pick). Korea Joongang Daily
Tiny FAQ (because you DMed)
- Was it safe? Authorities deployed extensive crowd-control measures; local outlets report the event concluded safely despite earlier security concerns. Always follow on-site guidance if you go in person. 조선일보
- Why September (not October)? This year’s date moved earlier due to the Chuseok holiday timing. 코리아타임스
TL;DR
Seoul lit up the Han River with an international fireworks showdown (Korea/Italy/Canada), ~1M people packed Yeouido, and the city’s nightscape looked like a MV backdrop. If SEVENTEEN’s fireworks-kissed anniversary show was your aesthetic, tonight delivered a massive encore—city-wide. Clip-hunt now, and mark Busan, Nov 15 if you want round two this fall. 부산시청+3코리아타임스+3매일경제+3
