By Wu Jinhua
Video = Boryeong Festival & Tourism Foundation's official YouTube channel

The Boryeong Mud Festival, the country's biggest event of its kind and popular among both Koreans and foreign visitors, has begun in Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do Province.

Marking its 27th edition, the annual fete through Aug. 4 welcomes visitors from in and out of the country with fun and convenience. Its diverse programs include interactive events featuring mud and cultural performances.

At the opening concert "K-pop Super Live" on July 19, acts like D1, BTOB, Baekho, Lee Chae-yeon and Lee Mu-jin performed to heat up the atmosphere.

The closing ceremony on Aug. 4 will see performances by champions of the domestic singing style trot like and a marine fireworks fantasy display at Mud Expo Plaza. Trot stars Young Tak, Son Tae-jin, Jang Min-ho and Kim Soo-chan will also belt out tunes to mark the finale.

The highlight of the festival is interactive programs with Boryeong mud. Visitors to Daecheon Beach over the event period can directly experience the benefits of the matter through activities like mud sauna, slide and massage.

New to the event this year is a mud soaking zone featuring content like mud valley and fondue. Shelters with pine trees around the festival venue and large-size awning facilities will provide shade and rest to visitors.

Boryeong City said, "This year's festival focuses on the interactive zone at the center of Mud Expo Plaza, plus integration of the regular, family and water park zones to maximize visitor fun and convenience."

Since its launch in 1998, the 27-year event is a hit among both domestic and international tourists.

More information is available on the festival's official website (https://mudfestival.or.kr/en/festival/).

This is the official promotional poster for this year's Boryeong Mud Festival. (Boryeong Festival & Tourism Foundation)