‘Star Wars’ Takes Over Seoul With Massive Drone Show Spectacle

On May 5, a special Star Wars-themed performance was held at Jamsil Hangang Park in Seoul in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company Korea.

Seoul staged a Star Wars-themed 2,000-drone light show at Jamsil Hangang Park on May 5, turning the Han River skyline into one of the city’s biggest family-friendly tech spectacles of the spring. The timing proved strategic, capitalizing on a built-in audience of families and children who celebrate the country’s most cherished holiday. Star Wars-themed events also took place on the day, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The broader drone light show initiative has become a cornerstone of Seoul’s spring entertainment calendar. The 2026 Han River Drone Light Show runs from April 10 to June 5 across Yeouido, Ttukseom, and Jamsil Hangang Parks as part of the city’s broader Seoul Spring Festival, combining drone displays with live performances, interactive programs, and on-site activities.

Having attracted around 280,000 spectators in 2025, the Han River Drone Light Show continues to grow as one of Seoul’s signature nighttime attractions and a key draw for both locals and tourists. The expansion reflects growing international interest in drone technology as a performance medium that blends innovation with spectacle.

The May 5 show represented the season’s headline event. Images circulating from the event show drone formations tied to a Star Wars-themed night program, including figures identified as Din Djarin and Grogu.

The drone light show ran for 15 minutes starting at 8:30 PM, followed by a 10-minute mini drone show involving 300 drones, with various cultural and artistic performances also taking place before and after the show. The 2,000-drone display created formations visible from the Han River banks, drawing crowds who came to witness what technology and storytelling could achieve when combined.

The timing aligned with anticipation building around ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,’ the franchise’s theatrical return after years away from cinemas. The film opens exclusively in theaters May 22, with the story following Din Djarin and Grogu as the fledgling New Republic enlists their help after the fall of the Empire. Directed by Jon Favreau, the film also stars Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White. By staging the drone spectacle just before the film’s release, Disney and Seoul created a coordinated marketing moment that extended beyond traditional promotion into public cultural experience.

Beyond the Han River display, a large “Giant Grogu” sculpture reaching a height of 10 meters was featured at “Star Wars Arena” created at the Lotte World outdoor grass plaza, alongside interactive Grogu Force photo spots and displays of “Din Djarin” and “Grogu” statues. The 501st Legion Korean Garrison, an official Star Wars fan club, held a parade as part of “2026 Star Wars Day in Korea.” Seoul’s approach transformed a single film release into a multi-venue, week-long celebration that engaged the entire city.

Drone light shows are becoming a useful public-event format because they are programmable, repeatable, and easier to adapt to recognizable characters or city branding than traditional fireworks. This Seoul event exemplifies how technology has democratized large-scale spectacle, allowing cities to create moments that rival festival celebrations at major theme parks.

With the Han River illuminated by thousands of coordinated lights forming beloved characters, the show proved that innovation in entertainment need not confine itself to screens or stages.

What did you think of Seoul’s Star Wars drone display? Share your thoughts in the comments.