"A Prime Spot Worth 300,000 Won—For Free": Citizen Releases Fireworks Viewing Map, Surpassing 1.25 Million Views

[Financial News] As this year's Seoul International Fireworks Festival approaches, fierce competition is once again underway to secure the best viewing spots. More than 1 million people attend the festival every year. A citizen has drawn attention by releasing a map of prime viewing locations that he personally scouted over three years.

According to AP Newsis and other outlets on the 4th, a post titled "Would it be inconsiderate to share the best spots for the fireworks festival?" was uploaded to social media on the 31st of last month.
The author, identified only as Mr. A, said he had spent three years searching for the best places to fully enjoy the fireworks festival. He had hesitated to reveal the viewing spots known only to him because doing so could make it difficult for him to secure a place in the future. However, he said a family he saw at last year's festival changed his mind.
Mr. A said, "At last year's fireworks festival, I saw a father next to me holding his child and fidgeting anxiously, and it changed my mind a little about not revealing the best spots." He then asked, "Would you share the best fireworks-viewing spots if you were in my position?"
The post surpassed 1.25 million views in just four days. Internet users responded, "Now that we know about it, please take the post down," and "The moment you share a good spot, it stops being a prime spot," among other comments.

Mr. A released a web service called "Spotts Fireworks," containing viewing information for 47 locations across nine areas, including Yeouido Hangang Park, Noryangjin-dong, Nodeul Island, Ichon Hangang Park, Banpo Hangang Park, Yanghwa Hangang Park and Mangwon Hangang Park.
When users select a viewing location, the service displays a 3D map showing the direction of the fireworks and how far away they will appear from that spot. This allows users to compare locations without visiting them in person. Mr. A carefully assessed each location based on its distance from the fireworks, obstacles blocking the view and routes for getting home after the event, then assigned scores.
He also disclosed specific evaluation criteria, such as "It isn't fun if you're more than 2 kilometers from the fireworks" and "A single building blocks the entire view."
Using real-time urban data from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the service displays crowd levels at 21 major viewing spots across four stages and provides crowd forecasts by time of day. It also includes restroom and concession-stand locations, traffic-control information and a feature that allows users to share conditions at the site in real time.
The 22nd Seoul International Fireworks Festival 2026, held with Hanwha Group, will take place on the 5th around Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul. Fireworks teams representing the Republic of Korea, the United States and the United Kingdom will participate in the show, which begins at 8 p.m. General admission is free, but Nodeul Island has switched to a fully paid ticket system this year, and tickets have already sold out.
The Seoul International Fireworks Festival is considered one of the Republic of Korea's leading festivals and attracts more than 1 million visitors every year. This year's event, themed "Finding Your Light," will portray the many ways people shine through the concept of "Infinite Colors," expressing stories of emotion and hope created when diverse lights come together in fireworks.
[email protected] Kim Soo-yeon Reporter