K-wave AI News

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea.

Here's our top story.

A large-scale lotus lantern parade was held in downtown Seoul on Saturday ahead of Buddha's Birthday.

About 50,000 participants marched through the streets of Jongno, carrying some 100,000 colorful lanterns.

Celebratory performances, including traditional dances like 'Ganggangsullae,' were also staged as part of efforts to strengthen national unity.

Organizers said the event aimed to promote harmony and peaceful coexistence amid rising social tensions and political uncertainty in Korea.

The "2025 Seoul Shopping Festa," a large-scale shopping and tourism festival for domestic and international visitors, will be held throughout May.

Nearly 4,000 stores from around 260 companies will participate across seven sectors, including retail, accommodation, and fashion.

To improve accessibility for international consumers, this year's event features special promotions through e-commerce platforms.

Now in its 17th year, the festival offers extensive discounts and diverse cultural experiences.

More information is available on the official website, www.seoulshoppingfesta.com.

A festival celebrating the "treasures of the mountains" will kick off in Hongcheon, Gangwon-do Province.

The 'Gangwon Hongcheon Wild Edible Greens Festival' will run from May 3 to 5 at Hongcheon Sports Stadium, offering visitors a rare chance to sample a rich variety of fresh mountain vegetables grown in pristine nature where highlands rise above 600 meters.

This year's event features hard-to-find delicacies such as traditional "gomchwi," a rare type of ragwort, and "bujigaengi," or Amur Wallflower.

A special highlight is Hongcheon wild mountain garlic, officially recognized as Forest Product Geographical Indication Number 46.

That's all from me.

Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.