A Day Filled with Laughter: A Travelogue of the Cheongdo World Comedy Art Festival in Autumn

A Season of Laughter Arrives with the Gentle Autumn Breeze

There are days when the cool air brushes against your cheeks, and you suddenly feel the urge to escape your daily routine and laugh out loud. On such a day, arriving in Cheongdo, Gyeongsangbuk-do, after passing golden rice fields visible through the train window, the area was showing off its full autumn charm. Located at 1846 Cheongnyeo-ro, Cheongdo-gun, the area around the Cheongdo Outdoor Stage (Cheongdo Ya-oe Gongyeonjang) was buzzing with excitement in preparation for the festival. Held from October 17th to 19th, this festival was not just about watching performances; it was a site that stimulated all five senses.

With the subtle scent of persimmons (Bansi) brushing the tip of my nose and the sound of laughter echoing, the festival grounds were truly full of energy, living up to the title of the 'Mecca of Korean Comedy.' The Cheongdo Bansi Festival was held concurrently, and baskets overflowing with ripe, orange-colored persimmons were piled up throughout the festival site, their sweet scent blending with the cheerfulness of the comedy performances to create special memories.

Laughter Bombs Pouring onto the Stage: The Appeal of the Lineup

the festival grounds were heated with the enthusiasm of people who love comedy. The familiar yet fresh comedy of the 'Showgman' team, who graced the opening stage on the first day, was enough to make the audience roar with laughter. Seeing faces like Kim Won-hyo and Park Sung-ho, whom I had only seen on screen, right in front of my eyes felt almost surreal. The following performances by Kim Yeon-ja and Choi Su-ho brought the festival atmosphere to a peak.

On the second day, the performance by the 'Gag Concert in' team and 'Tanaka', known as an icon of the MZ generation, completely wiped out the venue. With the soulful stages of Park Seo-jin and Kim Da-hyun on the third day, the three days where laughter and music crossed paths incessantly passed by in a flash. It was great that everyone, regardless of age or gender, could immerse themselves in the fun, as it offered various genres of humor—not just wordplay, but also comic acrobatics and hip-hop performances by the overseas invited team 'Don Juan', and the refreshing communication talk show by 'Malja Halmae'.

Travel Tips to Enjoy an Unforgettable Autumn in Cheongdo

Performances at the outdoor stage have a unique sense of openness that blends with nature. Enjoying the performance under the warm autumn sunshine during the day, and then taking a walk around the venue as the sun begins to set, makes you feel as if the clear air of Cheongdo, lingering at the tip of your nose, is embracing your entire body. The area around the venue is quite spacious, so if you bring a picnic mat, you can enjoy the performance much more comfortably.

For nearby attractions, I recommend a schedule that includes Unmunsa Temple or Cheongdo Eupseong Walled Town, both of which cannot be missed when talking about Cheongdo. It is a course where you spend a laughter-filled time at the festival venue and end the day calmly by walking through the quiet temple or the stone-wall paths in the late afternoon. Since there is a lot of floating population during the festival, it is much more relaxing to use public transportation or park at a nearby parking lot in advance and walk to the venue.

Autumn is short, but the laughter and relaxation I found here in Cheongdo seem to leave a long-lasting impression. If you are tired of daily life and need a special boost, hurry your steps to Cheongdo this October. I hope you make your own warm autumn memory in Cheongdo, where flowers of laughter are in full bloom.