A blockbuster night on the Han River
Seoul will paint the night sky with a KPop Demon Hunters scene on Sunday, as 1,200 synchronized drones animate characters and city icons above the Han River. The Hangang Drone Light Show begins at 8 p.m. at Ttukseom Hangang Park in the citys northeast. The show is free and visible from many riverfront spots.
This opening night launches a five date run through mid October, with follow up shows on September 13, September 20, September 26, and October 18. The program links pop culture with place, forming Cheongdam Bridge, Bukchon Hanok Village, and favorite characters from the film in color rich formations. Before and after the main sequence, visitors can catch KPop Demon Hunters themed dance cover sets and pop performances. A photo zone with costumes and face painting will be open for attendees.
City officials advise checking the Seoul City website or Instagram before heading out. Weather, especially heavy rain or strong winds, can shift timing or force postponement. The city recommends using Jayang Station on Subway Line 7 and exiting via Exit 1 to avoid heavy crowds at Exits 2 and 3.
When and where to watch
The main show window runs from 8 p.m. to about 8:15 p.m., with opening acts nearby starting from roughly 7:30 p.m. Ttukseom Hangang Park offers broad views of the river and an open sky, which makes it the regular stage for Seouls drone spectacles. Crowds gather along the waterfront and on grassy areas near the Waterfront Stage. Plan to arrive early if you want a clear view and room to sit.
The first KPop Demon Hunters themed night falls on Sunday, September 7. Four additional dates follow on Saturday, September 13, Saturday, September 20, Friday, September 26, and Saturday, October 18. The fall series will introduce new scenes during the run, including a collaboration with Kakao Friends on select nights, according to city announcements.
What is on the program
Each night blends a short, tightly choreographed drone sequence with live entertainment on the ground. Expect an upbeat soundtrack tied to KPop Demon Hunters, dance cover crews performing signature routines, and a family friendly photo zone with themed costumes and face painting. These extras bracket the drone performance, turning a quick sky show into a full evening by the river.
The drone choreography weaves together Seoul landmarks and characters from the film. On the opening night, audiences can expect to see formations that resemble Cheongdam Bridge and Bukchon Hanok Village alongside characters such as Derpy, the six eyed magpie Sussie, the unit HUNTR X, and the Saja Boys, as reported by local media photo coverage. Later dates in the fall series are set to add fresh scenes, with the city highlighting a collaboration with Kakao Friends. A separate special show featuring about 2,000 drones is planned for October 25 at Noeul Park in western Seoul, paired with the Seoul BBQ Festa weekend, according to event guidance carried by local outlets.
Behind the spectacle, how drone shows work
Drone light shows rely on fleets of small quadcopters fitted with bright LEDs, GPS receivers, and wireless links to a ground control system. Before showtime, engineers map an exact flight path for each unit. The choreography is coded so hundreds or thousands of drones lift off, hold their positions, and change colors at precise moments to draw images and text in the sky. Every vehicle knows its role in the formation, and geofencing software keeps the fleet away from people and restricted areas.
Wind and rain are the two main constraints. Light rain can blur LEDs and degrade positioning accuracy. Gusty wind pushes drones off course and drains batteries. That is why organizers set weather windows and post updates as conditions change. The Hangang shows are short, typically around 15 minutes, which balances visual impact with battery margins and airspace management. Compared with fireworks, drone shows generate less smoke and far less noise, which suits a dense riverside setting and lets nearby neighborhoods enjoy a quieter night.
KPop Demon Hunters meets the Seoul skyline
KPop Demon Hunters is a recent animated hit on streaming that follows an idol crew taking on mysterious enemies. The story borrows from real locations across Seoul, which makes it a natural fit for a drone program that draws city landmarks in lights. The Hangang performance leans into this link by outlining places that appear in the film, then connecting them with character poses and title motifs.
Audiences respond to recognition. When a floating formation flips from a bridge silhouette to a character portrait, the crowd tends to cheer and pull out phones. Organizers have leaned on that reaction in earlier sessions by threading familiar icons through each chapter of the show. For this run, the city says it will rotate content across the five nights so repeat visitors have reasons to return.
Visitor tips and on site logistics
Transit is the easiest way to reach the park. Take Subway Line 7 to Jayang Station. Exit 1 is recommended to ease congestion, since Exits 2 and 3 are closest to the park gate and often jammed near showtime. Allow extra time for queues as you approach the river. The show is free, and there are no tickets or seat reservations.
- Arrive early and bring a mat or light blanket for the grass.
- Pack layers. Evenings by the river can feel cool after 8 p.m.
- Keep drones and balloons at home. Personal devices are not allowed near the flight zone.
- Public Wi Fi in Ttukseom Hangang Park is scheduled to be suspended on event days from noon to about 9:30 p.m., based on the 2025 visitor notice.
- Use park restrooms. Jayang Station restrooms are under construction, according to the visitor advisory.
- Accessibility features at the venue include step free paths, accessible parking, and accessible restrooms, as listed by the citys tourism site.
- Check official updates on the day of the show for any schedule changes. The official site posts event information in Korean and English.
Plan ahead and give yourself time to exit slowly after the finale.
Weather policy and crowd management
Seoul runs these events under active coordination with air traffic and first responders. The flight zone stays over the river and away from the densest parts of the park. Staff control entry to the waterfront if crowds build to unsafe levels. Weather calls are made with safety margins in mind. Heavy rain and strong wind can lead to postponement or cancellation. The city posts the final call on official channels and on site signage.
Part of a growing night tourism push
The Hangang Drone Light Show is now a regular feature of Seouls cultural calendar. The city launched the concept in 2023 as part of Seoul Festa to encourage visitors to stay into the evening. That debut drew about 35,000 people across four shows, according to the citys policy archive. The program expanded in the second half of that year with seven more nights and returned in 2024 with nine sessions spread across spring and autumn.
For 2025, the city increased the fleet to 1,200 units for standard nights, with occasional peaks to 2,000 for signature dates. Spring shows featured magic acts and Taekwondo alongside the drones, while the autumn run connects to streaming hits and local character brands. The mix of free entry, family friendly staging, and easy transit access has turned the Hangang River backdrop into a reliable draw for locals and visitors.
Highlights
- Opening night for the KPop Demon Hunters themed Hangang Drone Light Show is set for Sunday, September 7 at 8 p.m. at Ttukseom Hangang Park.
- A fleet of 1,200 drones will form characters and Seoul landmarks, with live dance covers and pop performances before and after.
- Additional fall dates follow on September 13, September 20, September 26, and October 18.
- City guidance recommends Jayang Station Exit 1 on Line 7 and checking official channels for weather updates.
- A special 2,000 drone show is planned for October 25 at Noeul Park during the Seoul BBQ Festa.
