On September 5, the first Hoegi Pajeon Song Festival was held around Hoegi Station Pajeon Alley. The event was organized by the Dongdaemun District Office and the Hoegi Alley Merchants’ Association. During the festival, the alley was crowded with visitors enjoying the festival, filling the street with lively energy.

A Local Festival for Revitalizing the Alley Market

Selected as part of the 2025 Seoul Alley Commercial Area Support Project, the event aimed to revitalize the alley market. Various programs such as singing competition, multicultural experience booths, pajeon and makgeolli tasting, Onnuri Gift Certificate refunds, and raffle events were offered.

  Dongdaemun District Mayor Lee Pil-hyung cooking pajeon 

Dongdaemun District Mayor Lee Pil-hyung personally attended and cooked pajeon, while several officials and guests were also present. Nearby universities, including Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and the University of Seoul, participated by showcasing student band performances on stage.

The Main Event: Singing Contest

Among the diverse programs, the main highlight was the singing contest. The festival became a venue for people of all ages to come together and enjoy the performances. 10 teams, ranging from university students to elderly participants, joined the stage, including students from Kyung Hee University (KHU). The audience also featured a wide age range, from young children accompanied by their parents to university students and senior citizens.

Jung Dong-hyun, a student in the Dept. of Political Science and International Relations, winning first place  

Jin Lyuha, a student in the Dept. of Media, singing   

Jung Dong-hyun, a student in the Dept. of Political Science and International Relations won first place. “I saw the banner near the campus and thought it would be fun to try,” he said. “I chose the trot song “Unconditionally,” because I wanted to engage the audience and enjoyed the stage to the fullest. When I saw some people stand up and dance, I felt truly happy.” He added, “Winning first place at the very first festival was such an honor. I think the warm response from the audience made it possible. Through this experience, I gained confidence and learned to enjoy the stage even more.”

Jin Lyuha, a Chinese student majoring in the Dept. of Media, said, “I thought singing a song from my home country would make me stand out, so I chose Teresa Teng’s “The Moon Represents My Heart,”  which is also well known in Korea.” She recalled, “I was so nervous that when the MC asked what song I would sing, I even forgot the title. It was funny but unforgettable.”

A Festival Bringing Students and the Local Community Together 

Students and residents who took part in the event shared their experiences and thoughts about the festival.

Kim Tae-woo, a student from the University of Seoul, said, “I came without much expectation, but there were many fun things to do like the pajeon tasting booth, and the stage itself was really entertaining.”

Raffle event

Multicultural experience booth 

Rosita, a multicultural student from Cheongryang Elementary School, visited to help her mother at the multicultural experience booth. “I helped sell handmade crafts and watched amazing performances—it was so much fun,” she said.

Jung from KHU also commented, “I heard this event was held to promote local business vitality. If events like this continue, Pajeon Alley could become a more beloved spot for everyone. I hope the festival will keep growing as a joyful event for merchants, residents, and KHU members.”

The festival brought together not only local residents but also nearby university students, fostering a sense of community across generations and cultures. For KHU students, Pajeon Alley is a familiar place filled with college memories, and many expressed how happy they were to see an event held in such a meaningful spot.

The first Hoegi Pajeon Song Festival 

The festival became an event that everyone—from KHU students to Dongdaemun-gu residents—could enjoy together. It served as a meaningful attempt to breathe new life into the Hoegi area. For the festival to continue sustainably, voluntary participation and consistent interest from both residents and students will be essential. It remains to be seen whether the Hoegi Pajeon Song Festival will continue as a regular local celebration in the future.