Experience The Beat: los mejores festivales de música de Corea en 2023

Spring and summer bring warmer weather, vacation, and music festivals. If you are interested in attending a festival this summer or you are wondering if there are any music events in Korea that you can attend, you have come to the right place. Here is a rundown of the top Korean music festivals in Korea to look out for in 2023! 

Many festivals include a wide array of genres and…water. South Korea is well-known for its water-related festivals to cool off from the humidity and the sun’s heat. The Boryeong Mud Festival is incredibly popular, where families and friends gather together and play in the mud, which is good for blood circulation and the skin. But the water festivals are not simply playing in the water or on the beach; there’s a twist: music. The South Korean water festivals are music festivals, and there are two that you’ll want to check out:

Even if you have never been to South Korea as an avid K-Music fan, you have probably heard of the WaterBOMB Festival. This is one of the hottest events in Seoul that people look forward to every Summer. The festival was first held in 2010 and has garnered a broad audience, with thousands of people attending yearly. The Waterbomb Festival is especially popular among young people since it is a unique way to cool down and have fun during the summer heat. 

The WaterBOMB festival is usually held in three Asian countries: Korea, Japan, and Thailand. The Korean leg, starting on June 23 and all through August 26, travels through several cities, including Seoul, Gwangju, Incheon, Daegu, Busan, Daejeon, Suwon, Sokcho, and Jeju. The lineup for this year includes WaterBOMB seasoned veterans Jessi and Jay Park.

Another festival to help cool down the summer heat this year is the 4SEIDON Water Music Festival in Busan, South Korea. The festival is one of the newest additions to the South Korean music festivals. First held in 2015, the 4SEIDON amasses thousands of attendees every year. This year the festival will have two locations: Busan in July at the Asiad Sub Stadium and Gwangju at Chosun University in August. The Korean music festival has a stellar lineup this year including B.I, HYOLYN, H1-KEY, and BewhY amongst others.

The popularity of music genres in different countries may vary due to many factors, historical and cultural elements, and the availability of streaming channels, platforms, and media that influence listeners in the area. Many people think the Korean Rock scene is small–and they aren’t wrong. The Rock genre in Korea rarely tops the music charts and is not as widely spread as in other countries such as the U.S., Europe, and Australia. If you are living in or traveling to South Korea and were hoping to catch a Rock show, do not worry. Although the Rock scene in Korea is not as prominent as Pop and Hip-Hop, Rock enthusiasts still have some options for upcoming music festivals.

Like WaterBomb, the 2-day festival is considered one of South Korea’s longest-running music festivals. The Busan International Rock Festival started in 1999 and included a variety of subgenres in Rock, including Metal and Indie. Up until 2019, admission to the event was free. Now you have to pay to experience the concert. The 2023 edition of the festival is yet to be announced, but it should be coming soon. Some of last year’s impressive lineup included Bastille, NELL, WOODZ, SORAN, and HONNE, amongst others.  

Another big Rock festival in Korea is the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival. Considering itself the “Home of K-Rock,” the festival goes on from May to October. The lineup for the festival is yet to be announced, but it will likely include a mix of local and international artists. Some lineups from past years included NELL, Vampire Weekend, BIBI, The Fray, The Rose, Weezer, So!Yoon!, The Vamps and Japanese Breakfast, to name a few. It’s safe to say attendees this year can expect to listen to some great acts, have fun, and rock out! 

The Peak Festival is an annual EDM music event that has grown relatively quickly in popularity. With the first Peak Festival being held back in 2017, it is rather new. The festival is smaller than many long-running music events in Korea, but still a good one to consider attending. It is typically held in September or October and is known for its multiple stages. The festival features live performances from local and international acts and many sub-genres of EDM, including Techno, House, Trance, and many more.

ULTRA is a global festival with concerts in the U.S., South Africa, and South Korea. ULTRA Festival usually takes place around August or September. The 2023 lineup has not been announced yet, but some of last year’s headliners included Marshmello, KSHMR, and Martin Garrix, with supporting acts such as R. Tee, DJ Keiko, Acraze, Cream, and more. This year’s lineup is sure to be no exception.  

The EDM festival is well-known in South Korea and is considered one of Seoul's largest, most popular annual festivals. It started in 2007, garnering over 90,000, and has only grown up to the present day. The festival lasts three days, from Friday, June 2, to Sunday, June 4. This year, the World DJ Festival is sponsored by Samsung Galaxy and includes an impressive international lineup. Some acts include Zedd, Galantis, Nicky Romero, and SHAUN, among many others.

Not only are there globally famous artists, but the World DJ Festival supports local acts and includes them as support to the headliners. As many people from other countries travel to Seoul to attend the event, Korean artists are also promoted and have the chance to gain some new listeners.

Both the lineup and the event dates are yet to be announced. However, the Rabeat Festival usually takes place in Seoul every summer, usually around August, since its beginning in 2014. The festival showcases and promotes global and local Hip-Hop, Rap, and R&B artists. If you love Hip-Hop and find yourself in South Korea this summer, you should keep an eye out for this year’s event.  

The Seoul Jazz Festival is usually held in May. The festival is considered one of Seoul's most significant international music scenes. Although it includes Jazz music, the festival's genres have diversified, including artists in the Pop and R&B scenes. The 2023 headliners included MIKA, Sergio Mendes, and Damien Rice. Some stellar acts will include BIGBANG's Taeyang, CRUSH, AKMU, EPIK HIGH, Christopher, MAX, AJR, Tai Verdes, Kim Feel, Beenzino, and many more!