Winter Tank Light Festival at Oil Tank Culture Park “Sea of Light”

The “Sea of Light” is a winter light exhibition designed to deliver a message of healing and hope in the age of COVID-19. As we live through an uncertain and chaotic time with no clear end in sight, this festival invites you to recover from your weary days and dive into a new sea of dreams and hope. It’s a painful yet honest reflection of our current reality.

Add your personal dream to the unfinished whale lantern—and let your light become part of the story.

Dates: December 24, 2020 (Thu) – February 21, 2021 (Sun)
Lighting Hours: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Venue: Art Space Yonggung, Oil Tank Culture Park
Exhibition: Winter Tank Light Festival – “Sea of Light”

Featured Installations:

5,000 shimmering sardines
A 5-meter-long humpback whale
Stingrays, sea turtles, sea lions, porpoises, and giant sea snails
Coral reefs, illuminated wood stools, and more

The “Sea of Light” exhibition continues until mid-February.
Wander slowly through Art Space Yonggung, where the deep sea symbolizes the heaviness of our pandemic era. Follow the trail of glowing fish and you’ll eventually encounter the dream of a whale—a dream we hope will lead you to find a glimmer of hope in the darkness.

Traditional Hanji Lantern Inspired by a Korean Folktale - Granny Red Bean Porridge and the Tiger

This Hanji lantern, created by Geurimtory Hanji Workshop , is inspired by a beloved traditional Korean folktale. The story chosen for this piece is “The Red Bean Porridge Granny and the Tiger” —a favorite among children. Long ago, deep in the mountains,there live d an old woman who cultivated a red bean field. She was so skilled at making delicious red bean porridge that people called her Red Bean Porridge Granny . One peaceful day, a massive tiger appeared and threatened to eat her. The granny calmly pleaded, “It’s okay if you eat me, but if I die, who will make this delicious porridge for you?” She managed to persuade the tiger to return in the winter, when the first snow falls, so he could enjoy the porridge before eating her. With no one to turn to, the granny wept in despair. But to her surprise, the objects around her— a wooden frame for carrying loads, a straw mat, an awl, some dung, an egg, and even a soft-shelled turtle —came to life, listened to her story, and...

Sungnyemun

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Traditional Hanji Lantern Inspired by a Korean Folktale - Granny Red Bean Porridge and the Tiger

This year’s lantern is a traditional Hanji lantern inspired by one of the most beloved Korean folktales among children: Granny Red Bean Porridge and the Tiger . Once upon a time, deep in the mountains, there lived an old woman who cultivated red beans. She was so skilled at making red bean porridge that people called her “Granny Red Bean Porridge.” One peaceful day, a tiger the size of a house suddenly appeared and threatened to eat her. Granny pleaded, “I don’t mind dying, but if I do, who will make this delicious porridge? Come back in the snowy winter. You can enjoy the porridge then—and eat me if you still want to.” She barely managed to persuade the tiger to leave. Left with no one to turn to, the old woman wept alone. Just then, the items in her home—her carrying frame, a straw mat, an awl, some dung, an egg, and even a softshell turtle—gathered around and told her not to worry. When winter came and the tiger returned on the day of the winter solstice, Granny and her loyal “fri...

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