Samil Park in Hoengseong Revived by Night Tourism Program

[Financial News, Hoengseong—Kim Gi-seop, Reporter] A night blending starlight and goblin tales filled Samil Park in Hoengseong, which had long been neglected like a vacant lot, with 3,000 visitors. The first attempt to revive the park as a place for children and teenagers to play and relax received an enthusiastic response, confirming its potential for revitalization.
According to the Hoengseong Culture and Tourism Foundation on the 20th, its nighttime tourism program 'Starlight Planet' was held at Samil Park on the 19th, drawing about 3,000 people, including children and parents. The event featured hands-on activities, including goblin stories and stargazing, as part of an effort to revive Samil Park in the heart of the town.
The program was based on a story in which visitors encounter goblins that came to Samil Park on a night when a half moon was shining, complete missions in stages, and receive wealth and good fortune. The theme sparked children's curiosity. Hands-on activities—including the Starlight Workshop, where participants made traditional knot bracelets; the Starlight Post Office, featuring a slow-mail mailbox; and the Starlight Mill, where they made dalgona and injeolmi—filled up early. Starry Night Radio, where a magician incorporated audience stories into a performance, also drew considerable interest.
From 8 p.m., the Starlight Observatory operated with four astronomical telescopes, allowing participants to observe constellations in Hoengseong's autumn night sky, including Taurus.
Located in the heart of downtown Hoengseong-eup, Samil Park is a symbolic site showcasing the history of Hoengseong County, a place known for patriotism. However, it had long been neglected by residents and had come to resemble a vacant lot. Hoengseong County decided to reconfigure the site as a space where children and teenagers can play, exercise, relax, and learn, and organized the event to assess its potential.
Jang Sin-sang, Hoengseong County governor, who visited the event venue, said, "We will develop Samil Park so that it can naturally awaken in young people the patriotic spirit of resistance to Japanese colonial rule and further highlight Hoengseong County's identity as a place known for patriotism. As the number of visitors grows, we will repair the steep stairways and improve the layout to make it a safe park."
[email protected] Kim Gi-seop Reporter