[Features reporter] Spring bliss at Bucheon Azalea Festival

As spring blossoms appear across Korea, flower festivals are welcoming visitors to enjoy the spring scenery to the fullest.

Today we go to our News Features Reporter Lee Eun-hee , who is in the midst of breathtaking pink waves of azaleas in full bloom. Hello Eun-hee!

Hello Eun-hee, tell us where you are!

Hi Soa and Walter!

I'm here at the Bucheon Azalea Festival, where vibrant pink azaleas are in full bloom, with people out here just soaking up the spring vibes.

Bucheon City, not too far from Seoul, is hosting this beautiful festival at Bucheon Stadium and Wonmi Mountain or Wonmisan Azalea Hill.

The trails around Wonmisan Azalea Hill offer a great opportunity to enjoy both the stunning azalea blossoms and the natural beauty of the landscape while hiking.

It's the perfect way to soak in the scenery and get some fresh air.

Let's hear from some people who are doing just that.

"I visit every year. Taking in the scenery brings me a sense of peace. Now, at 72, I find myself reflecting on the beauty of life and the passing of time."

"It was my first time to come and see these beautiful flowers, I came to see the azalea blossom. And then I roamed around and saw lots of beautiful flowers. And then I found out the market which was nearby and there I enjoyed the food. it was crowded but if you want to have beautiful photos for your Instagram or social media, I recommend that you visit here."

It definitely looks beautiful.

Hearing the interviews, there must be other special activities that can be enjoyed at the festival, what are they?

Yes Soa.

So of course, there are food trucks where you can try out delicious street food.

The city is also hosting events to help boost the local economy.

There's a flea market where you can explore unique crafts and handmade goods from local artists.

Visitors can also enjoy hands-on experiences, like creating their own azalea-themed bags.

Additionally, there's a marketplace zone to support local businesses and traditional market vendors.

"The Azalea Festival is timed to coincide with the spring bloom, transforming open spaces at Bucheon Stadium into interactive attractions. To promote cultural tourism and support the local economy, the festival features a flea market with local artists, small business product sales, and a variety of food trucks."

It's wonderful to see festivals that bring both entertainment and a boost to the local economy!

Are there any other flower festivals you can introduce to us?

Yes Walter.

Besides azaleas, the city is hosting other spring flower festivals, celebrating cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, tulips, and roses from mid-April to early June, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of spring in stages.

I would also like to introduce a few other major festivals across South Korea that you can visit.

Most of them have already started and are still running.

If you visit the city of Daegu, you can experience one of the best nighttime cherry blossom displays.

Another must-see is the Tulip Festival in Taean, Chungcheongnam-do Province, where over 2 million colorful tulips bloom, marking the arrival of spring.

Next is the Jinhae Gunhangjae Festival, one of South Korea's most famous cherry blossom festivals, held in the Jinhae-gu District of Gyeongsangnam-do Province.

Last but not least, the rose festival in Jeollanam-do Province held at Gokseong County's landmark Train Village showcases over 1-thousand varieties of roses.

This festival takes place in May, making it the perfect spring event to look forward to.

Going back to the azalea festival, the weather is perfect, the energy is great, and it's definitely a must-visit festival.

It will run until this Sunday, April 6th, so don't miss out!

I do want to note that some festivals are being delayed or canceled due to various issues in the country, including the tragic wildfires in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.

This festival in Bucheon also canceled its opening ceremony, which included music performances, as a mark of respect for those affected by the fires.

Yes of course, Eun-hee.

Spring is here, flowers are here but there are also tragic incidents that need our attention.

We do however also hope that business owners, event planners or performers won't be affected too much by such cancellations.

Thank you Eun-hee for being out there today!

Thank you Eun-hee.