Greenplugged Seoul (GPS) is the ultimate festival for every Korean music fan out there.
Greenplugged Seoul (GPS) is the ultimate festival for every Korean music fan out there. It may not have the big idol groups of SM and JYP Entertainment on its lineup, but it has something better: stages where talented artists could grow and be discovered. It’s been eight years since GPS was born, and with a handful of local indie bands and a couple of green campaigns into play, the festival is keeping the grass green both for its homegrown music industry and the environment.
So be sure to put Greenplugged on your bucket list next year. Pencil it in on the month of May and take some notes as we share 10 things we loved about the festival:
1. The cause
GPS marks spring, and the festival is a call back to nature. Also known as the happiest music festival of the season, it aims to create good memories outside of the bustling city districts. It also has a preservation campaign called “40 Project, ” which calls on everyone to recycle. Through this, the festival promotes the use of recycled paper and soybean ink, which are used for all its promotional and on-site materials.
2. Park as a venue
There are lots of things to do at a park: ride bicycles, cruise on your skateboard, hang out in the playground, chase after cute Korean kids and dogs, and even set up a tent to sleep in just in time for siesta. Or you could do it the way we did: Be amazed by the fact you can cook your own ramen at a nearby convenience store and eat your hot noodles on an equally hot day as you watch the Han river by the Wind stage.
3. Discovering new artists
Let Super give you a list of names to search on Spotify and Soundcloud: DEAN, TAEK, YEIN, 1415, YOONCELL, 20 Years of Age, Junggigo, Yu Seong-woo, GoGo Star, Kim Ji-soo and Heize. You may know some of their songs as tracks on K-drama OSTs, and maybe you’ ll fall in love with their songs about hot noodles and the Korean combo chicken and beer, but we’ re sure about one thing: You’ ll be thanking us later.
4. The Wind stage
The open auditorium creates an interactive space for artists and the crowd. There is no stage, and the artists are on the same level as their fans, making it easy for both parties to reach out and have an engaging experience. Plus, the view on the Wind stage is incomparable.
5. Picnic style
The best part about this festival is that you can bring your own food! Big-ass pizzas, homemade bibimbap, a bucket of chicken—there’s no limit to it. Some festivalgoers even brought their own portable stoves to heat up soup or have some samgyeupsal (Korean-style barbecue) .
6. VIP Lounge
If you have a VIP ticket, prepare your big appetite! The VIP Lounge has a free mini buffet where you can feast on different sandwiches and galbi jjim (bulgogi-flavored beef short ribs) . There are also snacks like assorted cookies and gummy bears, which we totally hoarded. Don’ t forget to grab your festival drinks here (yup, beer included) to save some won! #NoShame
7. The services
Commuting to the event grounds was easy. Festivalgoers just ride the subway to the Digital Media City station (where all the big networks are located) and a shuttle going to and from the Nanji Hanggang Park greets them. GPS also has a secure bag counter that you could access for a small fee, and there are free face painting sessions to complete your festival experience.
8. The eco-bazaar
The festival is serious about its message on recycling. Even its concessionaires sell products that are eco-friendly and made from recycled materials like cloth, paper and plastics. There are clothes, accessories and even live plants sold at the bazaar. People also line up to get their postcard-size caricatures in watercolor and oil pastel.
9. Portalets
You’ ll never encounter a long line to the toilet in this festival—there are amazingly more than enough portalets for everyone! You can comfortably do your thing at GPS. The portalets are clean and complete with bidets, toilet paper and everything else you need! We wish all music festivals were like this.
10. Near Hongdae
Tourists could make an easy side trip to Hongdae—currently tagged as the pop culture hub of Seoul—which is just a train station away. In a lot of ways, a visit to Hongdae is an extension of the music festival experience. Here you get to witness the original busking stage—local Hongdae bands and dance groups are performing all over the area.
