Seoul to revive public taekwondo performances, adding street shows at DDP

Seeking to capitalize on a surge of international interest in Korean culture, the Seoul Metropolitan Government launched its 2026 Taekwondo Performance program, anchored in the traditional backdrop of Namsangol Hanok Village and expanding this year to the neon-lit curves of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). The city’s move to scale up the program follows a banner year for the martial arts showcase. City officials said Friday that attendance in 2025 climbed more than 25 percent over the previous year, with audience satisfaction surveys yielding a nearly perfect score of 97.9 out of 100. The primary stage remains Cheonwugak, a pavilion within the historic Hanok village in the Jung District. Two daily performances will be held there every weekend beginning Saturday and continuing through Oct. 18, although the city will pause the event during the sweltering peak of July and August. Ten specialized squads — including the world-renowned Kukkiwon and university demonstration teams — will cycle through a repertoire that ranges from rigid traditional forms to modern "fusion" choreography

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