<!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/d9sfvNqB9XI","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/d9sfvNqB9XI </div><figcaption>Yesterday, South Korea's capital, Seoul launched a new summer festival.<br>Starting this year, it will take place every August, and will feature a variety of cultural activities to attract both the domestic and international audience. <br>Our Song Yoo-jin went out on day one to file this report.<br><br>Welcome to Seoul Festa 2022! <br>Hosted by the Seoul city government, the festival, first launched this year, welcomes guests from all around the world for some summer fun. <br>But on top of providing fun, the city had its sights on a bigger cause.<br><br>"The tourism industry has been going through a tough time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. <br>So we prepared Seoul Festa 2022 with the hope that this could not only boost the tourism industry but Seoul city's economy as a whole."<br><br>And the first day was filled with eye-pleasing spectacles.<br>First stop was the exhibition area providing a sneak peak of what transportation in the future will look like.<br>On display were a variety of personal air vehicles that could some day become a familiar sight on the city's skyline. <br>There was also a VR zone where visitors could feel as if they were riding in one themselves. <br>Seoul aims to commercialize an Urban Air Mobility Service, which would allow passengers to take to the sky in these vehicles by 2025. <br><br>But the highlight of the day was the evening's K-pop concert "Super K-pop Live".<br>Around 40-thousand fans from all around the world gathered at Jamsil Sports Complex to cheer for their favorite artists. <br><br>"I was really disappointed when NCT DREAM's last concert was canceled. <br>So I'm really happy to finally see them today at Seoul Festa 2022."<br><br>"I'm super excited. We haven't gotten to see them for quite a while between covid and touring and stuff like that." <br><br>"I'm so excited. This is all I've been looking forward to lately."<br><br>The two-hour long performance featured more than a dozen renowned singers or groups from different genres.<br>Crossover vocal quartet "Forestella" was the first to take the stage. <br>K-pop idol groups including LE SSERAFIM, NMIXX, Stray Kids, and NCT DREAM followed. <br>Singer and actor Rain, rappers Tiger JK and Yoon Mi-rae were also part of the lineup.<br>Although it rained, the bad weather couldn't dampen the passion of the artists and the audience. <br><br><br>"But these are only part of the fun that Seoul Festa 2022 offers.<br>From Wednesday to Sunday, a wide variety of events will take place across the city.<br>They include the global electric vehicle race, the Formula E World Championship, the World DJ Festival, as well as shopping an leisure activities.<br>Those interested can find more information on the festa's website.<br>Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News."Reporter : <a href="mailto:yjsong@arirang.com">yjsong@arirang.com</a><br></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->