As 2023 comes to an end, Seoul is set to light up with a grand New Year's Eve countdown and performances from famous K-pop idols, stretching from Bosingak to Sejong-daero. The city announced that the '2023 New Year's Eve Countdown' event will take place on December 26, marking the first New Year's celebration without masks since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This year's event will offer more attractions and activities than before.

The celebration begins at 11 PM on December 31 with a 40-minute pre-show featuring street performances. A highlight will be the fusion traditional music group 'S.O.S (Season of Soul)' performing on a special stage in front of Bosingak, mixing traditional instruments like gayageum and daegeum with violin and pansori.

Additionally, the 400m stretch from Bosingak to Sejong-daero will come alive with various street performances, including message flag displays, mask dances, Bukcheongsa nori (lion dance), and Nong ack music, which is a celebration of Korea's unique energy and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, like Arirang.

Following the ushering in of the new year, the countdown stage on Sejong-daero will host a comprehensive congratulatory performance featuring Ambiguous Dance Company, ZEROBASEONE, ENHYPEN, The Boyz, Oh My Girl, and more. Attendees can enjoy the performance on-site without prior reservation, and the New Year's celebration performance stage will be broadcast live through MBC's 'Gayo Daejejeon.'

In preparation for the event, the city has implemented thorough safety measures to ensure the safe and convenient participation of citizens. Collaborating with Jongno-gu, a total of 1,100 traffic management and safety personnel will be deployed, nearly double the scale compared to the previous year. Additionally, support from the police and fire departments will be provided.

This year's 'New Year's Eve Countdown' event aims to make the countdown scenes accessible and enjoyable for a broader audience, not only at Bosingak but also at other locations such as Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) and Sejong-daero, accessible through live broadcasts via 'Live Seoul.'

Choi Kyung Joo, the head of the city's cultural department, expressed, "This year's New Year's event has been meticulously prepared as a global festival for everyone worldwide to enjoy," pledging to prioritize safety and convenience for all attendees.