(Seoul = News 1) Reporter Eunna Ahn = On the afternoon of the 31st, the area around Bosingak, Jongno-gu, Seoul is operating normally without traffic control. This year’s Bosingak other event will be held in a non-face-to-face manner for the first time in 67 years due to a novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19). 2020.12.31/News 1
A new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) was also held online to announce the beginning of the new year.
Instead of holding the event at 0 o’clock on the 1st, the Seoul Metropolitan Government released a video made in advance at the start of the new year through YouTube, TBS traffic broadcasting, and terrestrial broadcasting.
The video started with a black and white video seen around the Korean War, followed by a request for support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and a campaign to collect gold, the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and the 2002 World Cup.
In the past, during the Bosingak battering event, a crowded figure appeared and recalled memories of before Corona 19.
The first New Year’s bell rang after a countdown to announce that 2020 had 10 seconds left after the scene of last year’s battering event when Pengsoo came out.
With the 33 bells in the background, interviews with restaurant owners, self-employed people, teachers, students, and job seekers followed. Actors Lee Jung-jae, Kim Young-cheol, Park Jin-hee, and broadcasters Kim Tae-gyun, Kwang-hee, and Sam Hammington also appeared and sent messages of support with hope.
The video ended with the message’We keep social distance, but our hearts are close.’
The bell-belling event on the Bosingak Festival began at the end of 1953, when the Korean War ceased to exist. Since then, it has never been stopped, but due to Corona 19, on-site events have been prevented.
The poem has created a virtual reality (VR) where you can experience the panoramic view of Bosingak and the sound of the bell. You can enjoy it at home through the website.
Reporter Lee Hae-jun [email protected]