Reselling Tickets at a Premium
Performance Act Loophole Leaves Scalpers Unchecked
With the “Seoul International Fireworks Festival 2026” set to take place at Yeouido Hangang Park on September 5 next month, ticket scalping is rampant again this year.
The dazzling fireworks of the Seoul International Fireworks Festival viewed from Namsan, Seoul, decorate the night sky. Photo by Mohonam
On August 30, dozens of posts were seen on major secondhand trading platforms offering to sell fireworks festival tickets at marked-up prices. One user on Bungaejangter was reselling two admission tickets, originally priced at 220,000 won each, for a bundled price of 700,000 won. Not only official tickets but also food and beverage package deals from Starbucks Yeouido Hangang Park branch or nearby high-rise hotels are being resold at premium prices.
There are even those offering to find hidden “prime viewing spots” for money. One seller advertised, “I’ll secure the best spot for four people with mats,” charging 300,000 won. The idea is to secure a good location with an excellent view of the fireworks in the midst of heavy crowds for a fee. In addition, there are also posts offering nearby apartment units for rent near Hangang Park on the day of the event, all for a price.
This phenomenon is repeated every year at the Seoul International Fireworks Festival, which draws a massive crowd of around one million participants annually. The key issue is that ticket scalping for the fireworks festival is not subject to regulation. According to the Performing Arts Act, the fireworks festival is not classified as a “performance,” so regulations governing ticket scalping for performances do not apply. Under the Performing Arts Act, a “performance” is defined as “an act of allowing the public to watch artistic events performed live, such as music, dance, plays, musicals, entertainment, traditional music, or acrobatics.”
On the afternoon of September 27 last year, dazzling fireworks decorated the night sky at the “2025 Seoul International Fireworks Festival” held at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
This means it is difficult to apply the amended Performing Arts Act to regulate ticket scalping for ordinary festivals that do not involve direct participation by artists. Under the revised law, selling more than two tickets above face value, or even a single ticket at over twice the listed price, is considered habitual or business-related illegal resale and subject to fines. However, since the fireworks festival is not covered by the law, cases such as reselling two tickets for 700,000 won—far beyond face value—cannot be penalized.
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Marking its 22nd year, the Seoul International Fireworks Festival is one of Seoul’s premier events, attracting about 1 million attendees annually. The festival unfolds beneath the night sky, making it possible to enjoy fireworks not only within the main Yeouido Hangang Park venue but also from surrounding areas. Nevertheless, Hanwha, the event organizer, has created designated viewing zones at Yeouido Hangang Park to offer better views of the show, with seats allotted via lottery, and, since two years ago, has also sold paid admission tickets. This year, Nodeul Island was set up as the “Orange Play Zone,” for which 700 paid seats were sold. Ticket prices range from 110,000 to 220,000 won depending on the zone.
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