The first time I heard the name Jamsu Bridge, I could not stop thinking about it. "Jamsu" (잠수) means diving, going under the water. So this is a bridge that goes under the water? Every rainy season, the news showed the same thing: Jamsu Bridge, underwater again. Each time I thought, what a perfect name. Koreans say a name often follows the person, and this bridge followed its name very well.
Now Jamsu Bridge is changing in a big way. Cars are leaving, and people are taking over. Here is what is happening, why the bridge sinks, and how I remember the area around it.
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| The Moonlight Rainbow Fountain lights up the Han River at night. |
What Is Changing on Jamsu Bridge
Starting at 12 a.m. on October 26, 2026, no cars can cross Jamsu Bridge. This came right after the last car-free festival of the year on the bridge. The Seoul city government plans to turn it into a pedestrian-only bridge, and it says this will be the first car-free bridge over the Han River.
For now, people on foot and on bikes can still cross while the work goes on. The big work is planned for 2027. Seoul plans to finish the bridge by August 2027. The plan includes:
- A wider walking deck
- 22 viewing spots where you can enjoy the river
- Two transparent decks over the ship routes, so you can look down at the water
- A walking space on the north side, where cars used to drive through an underground road
There is one date to remember. Paving work is planned between May and August 2027, and during that time the bridge is closed to walkers and cyclists too. Reports say the full closure lasts about six weeks. If you plan to visit in 2027, check the dates before you go.
In Korea, walking across a bridge is rare. Many Han River bridges have a place to walk, but most people do not use it. That is why a bridge made just for walking feels new to many of us.
Why Is It Called Jamsu Bridge?
I always wondered why anyone built a bridge that goes underwater, and why they built it right under Banpo Bridge. So I looked it up.
Jamsu Bridge opened on July 15, 1976, as the ninth bridge over the Han River. Most Han River bridges sit 16 to 20 meters above the water. Jamsu Bridge sits only about 2.7 meters above it. It was made low on purpose, so it can go under the water when the river rises. That is where the name comes from.
There was a reason for building it low. During the Korean War, bridges over the Han River were blown up, so Seoul wanted a bridge that could be fixed quickly. It was also built to give citizens a way out in an emergency. Because of this, people also called it "Anbogyo," which means the security bridge. Banpo Bridge opened on top of it in 1982, and that is why the two bridges sit one above the other.
The river does rise. When the water level at the bridge goes above 5.5 meters, people on foot cannot cross. When it goes above 6.2 meters, cars cannot cross. That is why the bridge closes so often in the rainy season.
The Bus Stop Change and What It Means for Visitors
I took bus 405 to this area about two years ago. The bus stopped in the middle of Jamsu Bridge. I got off there and walked down to the Han River. It was easy.
That is changing. Buses 740 and 405 now go over Banpo Bridge instead. The two stops on Jamsu Bridge, "Banpo Hangang Park and Sevit Island," are closed. Riders now use the stop called "Banpo Bridge South End and Hangang Citizens Park Entrance" (반포대교남단·한강시민공원입구).
I feel a little sad about this. Without the stop in the middle of the bridge, visitors have a longer walk to reach the river. For people who exercise there and people who live nearby, the car-free bridge is great news. For someone visiting for a day out, the trip became a little less simple.
Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain: Show Times
Above Jamsu Bridge, Banpo Bridge has a fountain show called the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain (달빛무지개분수). Water shoots out from the side of the bridge toward the river, and music plays with it. I think it is a fun way to spend an evening.
These are the show times from the Seoul Metropolitan Government for 2026. Each show lasts 20 minutes.
- Season: March 15 to May and October (regular season), and June to September (peak season)
- Regular season: 12:00, 19:30, 20:00, 20:30, 21:00
- Peak season: the same times, plus one more show at 21:30
- Weekdays and weekends have the same times
The show stops when the wind is 7 m/s or stronger, when rain is expected during the show, or when the river water is cloudy. I could not find a winter schedule. The official schedule runs from March 15 to October, so check again before you visit in winter. Times can also change for special events.
Some Sevit: The Floating Islands Next to Banpo Bridge
Right beside Banpo Bridge, a group of islands floats on the Han River. This is Some Sevit (세빛섬). "Sevit" means three lights, and the name comes from the three main islands: Some Gavit, Some Chavit, and Some Solvit. A fourth island, Some Yebit, has a large LED screen. Some Sevit fully opened in October 2014.
When it opened, Some Gavit was the biggest building, with a convention hall, a cafe, and a restaurant. Some Chavit was an open space for performances and festivals, and Some Solvit had a gallery and water sports. These details come from the opening period, so some things may be different today.
Some Sevit is also in a movie. In Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), it appears as the genetics lab of Dr. Helen Cho. Parts of that movie were filmed in Seoul, and this floating building was one of the places.
A Cup of Han River Ramyeon
Han River ramyeon (한강 라면) is instant noodles that you cook at a convenience store by the river and eat outside. If you come to Korea, I think it is worth doing once. It becomes a memory.
Near Banpo Hangang Park there are a few convenience stores. The one I went to is GS25 Hangang Banpo 2 branch (GS25 한강반포2점). It is a little way down from Some Sevit, in the direction of Gimpo Airport. There is also a convenience store on Some Sevit, but I walked to this one.
I made one mistake. I chose Snack Noodles (스낵면). They are thin, and the pack is small. The amount of water that fits a regular pack like Shin Ramyun or Jin Ramyun was too much for this small pack, and the soup tasted weak. My tip is to choose a regular-size ramyeon and skip the small ones.
Convenience stores in Korea have many good things to eat, so you will find something you like. Sit by the river, watch the fountain, and listen to the music. For me, that is already a good evening.