EX HORROR Season 6: Silla X Zombies

August 1–30: EX HORROR Season 6 in Hwarang Forest

EX HORROR Season 6: Silla X Zombie was a walking horror experience held from Saturday, August 1, 2026, through Sunday, August 30, at Hwarang Forest (Luminight) in Gyeongju Expo Grand Park. Participants walked directly along the forest trails at night. The address was 614 Gyeonggam-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Cheongun-dong. It operated from 20:00 to 22:30 Monday through Thursday, and from 20:00 to 23:30 Friday through Sunday and on public holidays. Gyeongju Expo Grand Park Event Information

This season began with the discovery of an unidentified Silla gold crown in Hwarang Forest and the mass disappearance of an investigation team. Participants became search team members looking for the missing people, following clues through the darkness and encountering horror effects, missions, and actor performances that made use of the forest terrain. Since the setting connected Silla’s gold crown with a zombie narrative in the historic city of Gyeongju, it felt more like entering a story than simply going through a series of jump scares. iNews24 Report

The Hwarang Forest walking trail uses approximately 2 km of paths, and EX HORROR is reportedly visited by more than 15,000 people every year. This event featured the Silla X Zombie horror course, horror experiences, and food stalls. It was open to all ages, but preschool children had to be accompanied by an adult, while seniors, pregnant people, and those with heart conditions were restricted from participating. Because participants also had to complete a consent form before entering, it seemed best suited to friends who enjoy horror and can match each other’s pace. Event Tourism Information

From the Gyeongju World Culture Expo Bus Stop to Silla X Zombie

Since Gyeongju has no urban railway stations or subway exits, planning your route by bus was the most practical option. Take buses 10, 100, or 150 and get off at the Gyeongju World Culture Expo bus stop; the park is advertised as a 2–3-minute walk from there. From Gyeongju Station, you could also take bus 700 and get off at the Gyeongju Expo Grand Park stop, or take bus 710 and get off at the Expo Samgeori Crossroads stop. Gyeongju Culture and Tourism Transportation Information

A taxi from the intercity or express bus terminal took about 20 minutes, with the estimated fare listed as 10,000–12,000 won, so this option felt reassuring after visiting on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday when the event operated until 23:30. If driving, you could use the west parking lot at Gyeongju Expo Grand Park. Directions to Gyeongju Solgeo Art Museum

Admission was 10,000 won Monday through Thursday and 12,000 won Friday through Sunday and on public holidays. Naver reservation tickets also included options priced at 8,000–9,900 won. The EX HORROR ticket included only the horror content. Although visitors could enter the park after 18:00, they could not visit other facilities without a separate park admission ticket. Exhibition halls in the same park operated from 10:00 to 19:00, so if you wanted to combine a daytime exhibition with nighttime horror, it was better to plan and purchase the tickets separately. Naver Reservation Tickets

The park’s official website had an English menu, but detailed admission notices for Season 6 were posted only in Korean. Saving the operating hours and main-gate closing time on your phone before setting out made things much more convenient on site. Since the payment methods for cards and mobile payments at the on-site booths were not listed separately, I would recommend booking online in advance and also carrying a small amount of cash. Because the course involved walking 2 km of forest trails at night, comfortable sneakers with good traction, a small towel for wiping away sweat, and insect repellent would be useful. Gyeongju Expo Grand Park English Information

Main Gate Closes at 21:00 or 22:00: Practical Advice for the 500 m Route

The most important point was the main-gate closing time rather than the start time. Main-gate admission closed at 21:00 Monday through Thursday and at 22:00 Friday through Sunday and on public holidays. From 18:00 to 20:00, visitors went through the main-gate ticket office before collecting their tickets at the Luminight ticket office. After 20:00, they entered through the main gate and received or purchased tickets at the Luminight ticket office. The Luminight ticket office was 500 m from the main gate, so even when considering the last bus or taxi schedule, it was better to avoid arriving just before closing.

The 2 km outdoor forest trail was designed so that the horror effects came close to participants, meaning it could feel more intense than expected for people who are easily startled. Preschool children had to be accompanied by a guardian, and seniors, pregnant people, and those with heart conditions were restricted from participating. It would be helpful for companions to decide in advance what to do if someone needed to stop midway, allowing everyone to enjoy the experience without rushing one another.

Food stalls, horror merchandise sales, and horror makeup experiences operated alongside the main event, but the focus of the nighttime event was ultimately the forest horror course. Rather than trying to have a long meal, it suited the experience better to grab something simple before or after. A snack bar next to the Wonhwa Theater in the park was also advertised as selling ramen, fish cake bars, cup rice, fish cakes, and snacks. However, because its operating status during EX HORROR hours was not listed separately, it was safer to prioritize the event’s food stalls. Park Facilities Information

Travelers Suited to Becoming Silla Gold Crown Search Team Members

EX HORROR Season 6: Silla X Zombie was a good fit for foreign friends who wanted to calmly explore Gyeongju’s ancient tombs and historic sites during the day and then encounter the same Silla theme in a completely different genre at night. Satisfaction was likely to be high for people who enjoy horror films or game-style missions, respond well to actors at close range, and have the stamina to walk 2 km.

On the other hand, this event had a very different atmosphere if you were expecting a quiet walk or exhibition visit. It was a nighttime experience in which the mystery of the Silla gold crown, the dark Hwarang Forest, and the role of a search team member all came together. If you want to see another side of the historic city of Gyeongju after 20:00, it would be a memorable experience to enter while holding your friend’s hand tightly.