BUYEO, South Korea — The historic grounds of the Baekje Cultural Complex in South Korea lit up in a breathtaking cascade of fire on November 7, as the 2026 Nakwhanori Festival successfully concluded its third annual autumn event.

Set against the majestic backdrop of the Neungsa Five-Story Pagoda, the festival drew massive public attention even before its opening. When online reservations began last month, all 3,500 available tickets sold out almost instantly, leaving a staggering waiting list of roughly 30,000 prospective attendees eager to witness the spectacle.

Nakwhanori, often referred to as a traditional Korean firework play, is an ancient folk custom that involves packing pouches with charcoal powder and other traditional ingredients. When ignited, the pouches slowly burn and release a mesmerizing shower of glowing embers that drift downward like a rain of fire. 

Historically rooted in Korean seasonal customs and ancient Buddhist light rituals—as documented in classical texts like the Dongguk Sesigi (Record of Korean Seasonal Customs)—Nakwhanori was traditionally performed to ward off bad luck, dispel misfortune, and pray for community peace and blessings under the bright light. 

By blending this centuries-old heritage with the ancient architectural grandeur of the Baekje Kingdom, the event at the Baekje Cultural Complex has rapidly evolved into one of the country's most sought-after cultural night festivals, leaving visitors deeply moved by the living history of traditional Korean pyrotechnics.

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