Hwaseong Special City Selects King Jeongjo and Lady Hong Hyegyeong for 2026

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Hwaseong Special City held the '2026 King Jeongjo and Lady Hong Hyegyeong Selection Contest' at the main auditorium of Dawon Eum-eumteo on the 29th and selected Kim Gyeong-su, 43, from Biobong-myeon as King Jeongjo and Shin Hwa-jeong, 57, from Hyangnam-eup as Lady Hong Hyegyeong as this year's protagonists.

The selection contest featured a total of 12 candidates who passed the preliminary document review—six candidates each for the roles of King Jeongjo and Lady Hong Hyegyeong—who took to the main stage. The competition comprehensively evaluated entries based on △understanding and commitment △expressiveness and demeanor △role image suitability △historical understanding and △event execution ability. A total score was calculated and one person for each role was finalized.

The two selected will serve as the protagonists of the '2026 King Jeongjo Filial Piety Culture Festival and King Jeongjo's Royal Procession Joint Reenactment (Hwaseong Section)' and will begin their official activities. Prior to the festival, they will participate in pre-promotional tours, and on the day of the event, they will appear as a guerrilla-style mini procession together with citizens to elevate the festival atmosphere and communicate with attendees.

The '2026 King Jeongjo Filial Piety Culture Festival and King Jeongjo's Royal Procession Joint Reenactment (Hwaseong Section)' will be held at King Jeongjo Filial Piety Park and its surroundings from October 3 to 4. In particular, on October 4, King Jeongjo's Royal Procession departing from Hwanggyae-dong and Dongtan Central Park will continue through Hyungchung Park to King Jeongjo Filial Piety Park, presenting citizens with a grand and abundant array of attractions through the elaborate procession.