When most people think of Korea’s festivals, the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) often comes to mind first. Usually held in October, BIFF is making a rare return to September in 2025, taking place from September 17–26. This is only the third time it begins in September (after 1996 and 1998). But this month isn’t just a 영화 (yeong-hwa, “film”) moment—across Korea, music shows, animation festivals, and cultural performances also bring cities to life.
For anyone visiting or following from afar, September is a great opportunity to experience the pulse of Korea and pick up useful Korean vocabulary: film terms at BIFF, words related to music events, and expressions from traditional culture.
So this September, let’s dive into Korea’s lights, music, and culture, and learn Korean through the festivals that define the season.
1. Film & Animation Festivals
These are perfect for film lovers, students, or anyone who wants to learn cinematic vocabulary in Korean.
Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)
부산국제영화제 (Bu-san-guk-je-yeong-hwa-je) will be held from September 17 to 26, 2025, at the Busan Cinema Center.
It features major film premieres, international guests, and Korean and Asian films. This year’s full-September schedule makes it even more special.
Seoul Indie-AniFest (Korea Independent Animation Film Festival)
서울 인디 애니페스트 (Seo-ul in-di ae-ni-fe-seu-teu) runs from September 18 to 23, 2025.
It highlights independent animation, artful storytelling, and creative cinematic works.
Film-Festival Vocabulary
- 영화제 (yeong-hwa-je) – Film Festival
- 감독 (gam-dok) – Director
- 시사회 (si-sa-hoe) – Premiere
- 애니메이션 (ae-ni-me-i-syeon) – Animation
- 상영 (sang-yeong) – Screening
Example Sentence
이 애니메이션제에서 제가 좋아하는 감독의 작품을 봤어요.
( i ae-ni-me-i-syeon-je-e-seo je-ga jo-a-ha-neun gam-dok-ui jak-pum-eul bwass-eo-yo)
→ “At this animation festival, I saw a work by a director I like.”
2. Music & Live Performances
For those who love the energy of crowds, live bands, or indie vibes, the music festivals in September are exciting and a great way to learn everyday events and crowd vocabulary.
Busan International Rock Festival
부산국제록페스티벌 (Bu-san-guk-je-rok-fe-seu-ti-beol) takes place from September 26 to 28, 2025, at Samnak Ecological Park in Sasang-gu, Busan. Rock, indie, and international as well as local bands will perform.
Ultra Korea
울트라 코리아 (ul-teu-ra ko-ri-a) will be held on September 20, 2025, at Oil Tank Culture Park in Seoul. Expect EDM and major international DJ acts, loud lights, heavy bass, and full festival vibes.
Gangnam Festival – Yeongdong Daero K-POP Concert
강남 페스티벌 – 영동대로 케이팝 콘서트 (gang-nam pe-seu-ti-beol – yeong-dong-dae-ro ke-i-pop kon-seo-teu) is scheduled for September 27, 2025, in Seoul (Yeongdong-daero). It’s a large-scale outdoor K-pop event featuring famous artists and attracting a huge turnout.
Music Event Vocabulary
- 음악제 (eum-ak-je) – Music Festival
- 공연 (gong-yeon) – Performance
- 가수 (ga-su) – Singer / Artist
- 무대 (mu-dae) – Stage
- 관람객 (gwan-ram-gaek) – Spectator / Audience
Example Sentence
무대 위에 가수가 입장했을 때 관람객이 환호했어요.
(mu-dae wi-e ga-su-ga ip-jang-haess-eul ttae gwan-ram-gaek-i hwan-ho-haess-eoyo)
→ “When the artist entered the stage, the audience cheered.”
3. Cultural & Heritage Festivals
These showcase tradition, arts, mask dances, and folk culture, making them rich opportunities to learn cultural Korean and festival-related vocabulary.
Andong International Mask Dance Festival
안동국제탈춤축제 (an-dong-guk-je-tal-chum-chuk-je) begins on September 26 and continues into early October. It features 탈춤 (tal-chum, ‘mask dance’), traditional mask performances, workshops, and folk culture displays.
Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival
수원화성문화제 (su-won-hwa-seong-mun-hwa-je) runs from September 27 to October 4, 2025, around Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon. Events include royal court cuisine reenactments, night tours, fortress-building activities, parades, and cultural performances.
Cultural Festival Vocabulary
- 탈춤 (tal-chum) – Mask Dance
- 탈 (tal) – Mask
- 민속 (min-sok) – Folk / Tradition
- 연희 (yeon-hui) – Traditional Performance
- 문화 (mun-hwa) – Culture
Example Sentence
안동 탈춤 축제에서 한국의 민속 문화와 전통 탈춤을 배웠어요.
(An-dong tal-chum chuk-je-e-seo han-guk-ui min-sok mun-hwa-wa jeon-tong tal-chum-eul bae-woss-eo-yo)
→ “At the Andong Mask Dance Festival, I learned about Korea’s folk culture and traditional mask dance.”
This September, Korea’s 축제 (chuk-je, ‘Festival’) season is delivering more than just shows—it’s a living classroom. From red carpets to indie bands, masks, and cultural performances, there are countless opportunities to soak up vocabulary in real life.
Whether you’re reading film review headlines, cheering at live shows, or watching a traditional mask dance under the moon, try using some of the new Korean words above. Experiencing culture and language together like this is the best way to truly live your learning.
다음에 또 만나요! (da-eum-e tto man-na-yo!) – See you next time!
Written by- Surabhi
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