▶ Festival & Performance Information The Suwon Hwaseong Festival is Suwon’s signature historical and cultural festival, held every October at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inspired by King Jeongjo’s eight-day royal procession to Hwaseong, the festival presents diverse programs where history, culture, and the performing arts come together. In 2026, under the theme of “Saebit Hongmin” (meaning “bringing new light to benefit the people”), the festival aims to share King Jeongjo’s spirit of caring for the people with citizens and people around the world. The 63rd Suwon Hwaseong Festival presents its signature performance, Suwon Fantasy : Yajo, a large-scale outdoor spectacular combining equestrian performances, traditional martial arts, military choreography, and cutting-edge media technology. The performance is inspired by the historic Yajo, a night military training personally commanded by King Jeongjo during the fourth day of his royal procession in 1795, when he led his elite royal guards, the Jangyongyeong. ▶ Performance Information - Performance Period: October 7 ~ October 11 (5 days) - Performance Time: 20:00 ~ 21:00 Everyday (60 minutes) - Performance Place: Suwon Hwaseong Yeonmudae Ticket Booth Area (20 Changnyong-daero 103beon-gil, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do) ▶ Key Highlights Historic Yeonmudae as the Stage: The performance transforms 'Yeonmudae', a historic military training ground built by King Jeongjo, the 22nd king of the Joseon Dynasty, on the northeastern side of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, into one vast stage. This is the very site where military training was once conducted. Spectacular Multidisciplinary Production: Featuring equestrian displays, demonstrations of traditional martial arts, dynamic military choreography, spectacular fireworks, special effects, and projection mapping synchronized with a powerful musical score, the performance delivers an immersive and visually stunning experience. A Community Performance Featuring 200 Citizens: The production is also distinguished by the participation of approximately 200 citizens of Suwon, who perform in a variety of roles, making it a meaningful community-driven performance. ▶ Story One night, Crown Prince Sado dreamed of a dragon flying in with a dragon pearl, and the prophecy was fulfilled with the birth of his son, Yi San. The time of destiny passed. Jeongjo became a new king who envisioned a new world for his people. Yet, opposing forces sent assassins to threaten his life. With no one left to trust, the king decided to defend himself and to establish a new royal guard, the ‘Jangyongwi’, rather than relying on the existing military forces. Meanwhile, those who had lost power turned to Jeombang’s curse and conspired to hatch another plot. Their plan was to bring down the fortress walls before King Jeongjo himself during the royal procession to Suwon. Upon entering Hwaseong Fortress, Jeongjo dreamed of a new era with new people of talent. ‘Byeolsi’, a special state examination, was held, and young scholars wrote words of reform and unity with their brushes. As night deepened, drums thundered and the Yajo began. Torches flared, hundreds of flags waved atop the fortress walls, and Jeongjo proclaimed: “You are all my people, my soldiers!” The song of the people drove away the darkness, heralding a hopeful tomorrow as bright as the moon. On this night in Hwaseong, every heart rose together as one. ▶Scene-by-Scene Synopsis [Prologue _ The Dragon in the Clouds] In Crown Prince Sado’s dream, a dragon appears carrying a dragon pearl. The following year, his son Yi San (later King Jeongjo) is born, destined for greatness blessed by the spirit of the dragon. [Act 1. The Coronation and Threat] Upon becoming king, King Jeongjo declares his vision for reform. Yet opposing factions send assassins into the palace to kill him. Despite the threats, Jeongjo decided to stand strong and protect himself. [Act 2. King Jeongjo’s Determination] In the harsh reality of not being able to trust anyone, not even those inside the palace, Jeongjo falls into deep concern. Still, he vows to carry forward his father Crown Prince Sado’s legacy, committing to the creation of a new royal guard. [Act 3. The Birth of Jangyongyeong] Jeongjo establishes the ‘Jangyongwi’ (royal guard unit) and orders training based on the Muye Dobo Tongji (Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts). The unit is later elevated to Jangyongyeong (Royal Elite Camp), becoming central to royal protection and national defense. [Act 4. The Conspiracy of the Adversaries]  The Left State Councillor and the Commander of Military Training Forces conspire against the king, invoking shamanic curses through Jeombang, the shaman. Before Jeongjo’s royal procession to Suwon, they plan to set the fortress on fire. Within the curse’s vision, Jeongjo’s royal robe is seen burning in flames. [Act 5. The Royal Procession to Suwon] Arriving at Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, Jeongjo is welcomed by the people. Through a special state examination (Byeolsi), he recruits talented new officials and declares his determination to reform. [Act 6. Night at the Haenggung Palace] Lady Hyegyeong-gung Hong, gazing toward Hyeonnyungwon, mourns her late husband, Crown Prince Sado. Discovering the commander's conspiracy, she reminds him of past loyalty and changes his mind. [Act 7. The Beginning of Yajo] As drums echo and torches blaze, the Yajo unfolds. Gates open and close, commands are repeated, and citizens and soldiers unite in defending the majestic fortress. [Act 8. A New Beginning]  King Jeongjo embraces the commander who confesses his wrongdoing and declares, "You are all my people." A grand military training unfolds alongside spectacular equestrian martial arts, illuminating Jeongjo's vision of harmony, unity, and reform.