Gangneung's Haseullang Draws More Than 1,000 Visitors to Bread Festival Booth

Haseullang, the digital tourism character of Gangneung City, Gangwon State, greeted tourists at a promotional booth on the opening day of the Gangneung Bread Festival on Oct. 10, 2026. The booth, which promoted Gangneung tourism with Haseullang at the front, featured a giant Haseullang doll photo zone. More than 1,000 visitors stopped by on the opening day alone.

Haseullang's festival outings did not end there. The character also ran a promotional booth and photo zone at the Gangneung Noodle Festival, held Oct. 15 to 18. At each festival, a giant doll photo zone is set up to welcome visitors.

Haseullang also appeared in a 2026 EBS live musical, moving between festival booths and the broadcast stage.

Pani and Gavi, the characters of the Gangneung City official YouTube channel "Pani & Gavi," stayed active the same month. Pani appeared in a guide video for the 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress, held Oct. 19 to 23 at Gangneung Olympic Park. Pani and Gavi also appeared at the coffee festival and in a Gyeongpo rap music video.