Brilliant images at the opening ceremony of ASIAD 2014
The organizers chose fireworks, traditional and modern music to introduce a dynamic Korea to international friends.
Fireworks lit up the Incheon sky during the opening ceremony on the evening of September 19, kicking off the 17th Asian Games.
Korea is one of the countries famous for fireworks and the organizing committee has the opportunity to show off its expertise to international friends at ASIAD.
At this Asian Games, there are about 9,500 athletes from 45 countries or territories coming to Incheon to compete in 36 sports.
From a distance, the tournament's main stadium looks like a giant crown.
EXO, a K-pop boy band, performed music and dance at the opening ceremony.
An EXO performance at the stadium. Incheon is the third city in Korea to host an Asian Games, after Seoul and Busan.
The budget for organizing this ASIAD is about 1.62 billion dollars. Of which, Incheon city will cover 79%, the rest will be supported by the Korean government.
Artists perform the Korean folk dance Pungmul.
The Pungmul dance attracts hundreds of artists in colorful traditional costumes.
A dance performance with meaning about the formation and history of Asia.
A dance performance with meaning about the formation and history of Asia.
Opera singer Sumi Jo sang with a strong voice.
Famous actor Jang Dong-gun was also present at the opening ceremony.
Korea's most popular gymnast Kim Min performs with her signature hoop.
Athlete Hoang Quy Phuoc plays for the Vietnamese sports delegation at ASIAD 2014.
The opening ceremony of the 2014 ASIAD was colorful and musical: