On October 2, a tightrope performer fell approximately 2.5m during a performance at Anseongmatchum Land.
A safety mat was installed at the performance venue, which had been operating in the traditional manner, after the accident.
How can preserving the festival’s traditional character and ensuring performers’ safety be achieved together?
3-Line Summary
1. A safety mat was installed after the tightrope fall
2. The accident occurred at 11:40 a.m. on October 2
3. Improving safety remains a task for the operation of the rest of the festival
Fall Accident Occurred After Support Structure Collapsed
During a tightrope performance at the 2026 Anseongmatchum Namsadang Baudeogi Festival held at Anseongmatchum Land in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, the tightrope performer, known as an eoreumsani, fell to the ground at approximately 11:40 a.m. on October 2. According to a Yonhap News Agency report, the support structure securing the rope collapsed while the performer was standing on the rope, and the fall height was approximately 2.5m.
The performer was transported to a hospital for treatment. Asia Economy reported that a detailed examination at a university hospital found no abnormal findings and that the performer was resting, while Yonhap News Agency reported that the performer had been discharged.
The core issue is not limited to the fall itself. Anseong City was reportedly not installing safety mats on the floor of the performance venue, citing the need to consider the characteristics of traditional tightrope performances. This is why concerns have been raised that the format of a traditional performance cannot also mean the absence of safety equipment.
Safety Mat Installed After Accident and City’s Plan for Improvements
Anseong City installed a safety mat on the floor of the tightrope performance venue after the accident. According to Yonhap News Agency, there had previously been internal recommendations within the city to install a safety mat, but they were not implemented. The city explained that, prompted by this accident, it had reexamined safety management and emergency response systems throughout the festival grounds and improved safety measures.
In an Asia Economy report, the city also announced plans to comprehensively reexamine inspections of facilities and equipment before performances, the deployment of on-site safety personnel, and the emergency response system. It is necessary to distinguish between measures that have already been completed and plans that the city says it will pursue. Although the safety mat has been installed, the reported information does not confirm why the error in installing the facility occurred or how the reinspection will actually proceed.
A Festival Combining Traditional Performance and International Exchange
The Baudeogi Festival is Anseong’s traditional cultural festival, based on Namsadang Nori and held every autumn since 2001. At this year’s festival, representatives of the embassies of Italy, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and the Philippines visited the site on opening day, while performance troupes from Thailand, India, Malaysia, Egypt, and Taiwan also participated.
Anseong City said it plans to use these visits to expand cultural exchange between countries and promote the globalization of Namsadang Nori. The festival runs through October 5 at Anseongmatchum Land and in areas around Anseongcheon. During the operation of the festival’s remaining period, the first point to confirm is whether safety measures for performers and visitors are functioning on-site while maintaining the excitement of the performances.
References
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