Seoul's free Pokémon giveaway canceled after 40,000 swarm the venue

Pokemon Korea canceled a free promotional card giveaway at Seoul Forest on Friday after an estimated 40,000 people flooded the Seongsu-dong area by noon, forcing organizers to shut down on-site distribution over safety concerns on South Korea's first Labor Day as an official public holiday.

The surge — driven by a holiday crowd chasing a rare Magikarp card fetching roughly $194 on the secondary market — laid bare how quickly collectible fever and social media hype can overwhelm even the most casual outdoor event plan.

Pokemon Korea organized the giveaway as part of "Pokemon Mega Festa," a 30th-anniversary celebration staged alongside the Seoul International Garden Show, the Korea Times reported. Participants were asked to collect stamps at locations across Seongsu-dong to redeem a limited-edition Magikarp promotional card and a themed sun visor.

Pokemon Korea announced the cancellation on its social media channels as crowds overwhelmed the area. "The giveaway event promo card 'Magikarp' has been canceled due to on-site safety concerns," the company said. "Everyone who met the event conditions today will receive the items, so please feel free to leave the event." Pokemon Korea said qualifying participants could submit applications through an online form and would receive their prizes regardless.

The Seoul city government requested the shutdown after the gathering exceeded safe limits, according to the Korea Times. Connectivity at the venue also buckled under the strain, with at least one attendee posting, "The internet is not working," alongside photos of the packed grounds.

The Magikarp card's resale value was a central driver. By 4 p.m. Friday the card was listed on Kream, a popular online resale platform in South Korea, for 286,000 won — roughly $194 — according to the Korea Times. "One Pokémon card paralyzed Seoul Forest," one social media user wrote. "This free Magikarp card is worth 90,000 won in Korea and up to 150,000 won overseas."

Friday also marked the first time South Korea formally observed Labor Day as an official public holiday, swelling leisure crowds across Seoul well beyond typical weekday levels. The convergence of a holiday, viral social media posts and a free item with outsized street value created conditions organizers were not equipped to handle.

Pokemon Korea said it would honor all prizes through online submission, meaning participants who completed the stamp challenge can claim their Magikarp cards and sun visors without returning to Seoul Forest.