Boryeong Mud Festival
보령머드축제
Korea's most internationally famous festival. Two weeks of mud baths, mud wrestling, and beach concerts at Daecheon Beach in mid-summer.
Started in 1998 to promote Boryeong's mineral-rich mud cosmetics, the festival became a foreigner magnet thanks to mud wrestling, body painting, mud slides, and a beach-party atmosphere that's looser than most Korean festivals. Expect crowds, sunburn, and a long bus ride from Seoul. Arrive early to grab a spot before the main mud zones get jammed.
From Seoul: 2.5-3 hours. Express bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Boryeong (~₩15,000), then a local bus or 10-minute taxi to Daecheon Beach. KTX/Mugunghwa via Cheonan + transfer is slower. The festival runs free shuttles from Daecheon Station during the event.
Most international-friendly festival in Korea, English signage at main areas, foreigner-targeted programming, and a much higher non-Korean attendance ratio than most Korean festivals. Bring waterproof sandals (mud zones), sunscreen, and a dry bag for valuables. ATMs run dry by afternoon on weekends; bring cash.
https://www.mudfestival.or.kr/