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- Busan creates a 'village' to reverse low fertility rate On March 13, Mayor Park visited a local elementary school and met children participating in new afterschool programs. Korea's total fertility rate-the average number of children born to a woman during her reproductive years-fell to 0.72 last year, breaking its record for the lowest fertility rate in the world. The figure marks eight straight years of decline. This demographic crisis is felt most keenly in Busan, where the fertility rate stands at 0.66, the second lowest among major metropolitan areas nationwide. The declining fertility rate goes hand-in-hand with a marked increase in the proportion of elderly citizens. The city passed the threshold of a "super-aged" society in 2021, when people aged 65 and older made up 21% of the population. These factors, along with migration that sees young adults flock to Seoul in search of better jobs, mean the city's population is shrinking and aging at an alarming rate. The trend does not appear to be abating soon. Births in Busan have declined by 50% in a decade. Last year, 12,900 babies were born in the city, a record-low figure since data tracking began in 1981. City Hall is tackling the demographic problem head-on. Officials are working to enhance the quality of life for families. To do this, Busan is ensuring parents have the means and support to raise children. Under the ethos of "it takes a village to raise a child," the city is promoting the "Aeji-jungji" campaign. Translated as "Caring for your child as you do," it reflects Busan's commitment to caring for children the moment they are born. When introducing this new campaign, Mayor Park Heong-joon said, "I will raise our Busan children with the same care as I would my own children." Under Aeji-jungji, City Hall and the Busan Office of Education have developed an "edu-care" system to expand and enhance public childcare and education. The city's daycare centers and kindergartens will open until 8 p.m. or later. The city will also operate 24-hour emergency childcare facilities. Elementary schools will extend their afterschool programs. In collaboration with local universities, these programs will develop students' physical, mental and emotional health and expose them to enriching educational opportunities. Additionally, Busan will help pay childcare expenses. Parents will no longer bear the additional costs of special activities. Multichild families will also receive support through the Dongbaekjeon financial system. Finally, Busan will revolutionize it's education infrastructure. From elementary school to university, students will have access to the skills required to advance key industries and compete in the global economy. By providing better education, jobs, and childcare services, Busan expects to reverse the negative demographic trends plaguing the city. Mayor Park summed up the need for action, "To tackle the decreased population, we need to recognize the underlying issues and find the practical countermeasures. We will make Busan a good place to have and raise children."<Voca Spotlight>fertility rate: 출산율demographic: 인구통계, 인구통계학적인keenly: 예리하게proportion: 비율threshold: 임계치, 임계값flock to: ~에 몰려들다
- Busan is now a special education zone On Jan. 23, Mayor Park announced the "Aeji-Jungji" project. On Feb. 28, the Ministry of Education designated Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan and Jeju-do Island as special education zones. Under the pilot education program, each area will receive between 3 billion and 10 billion won in funding and have various regulations lifted to help revamp their education systems. The move allows City Hall, local governments, education offices, universities and industries to cooperate and autonomously create education policies that align with the needs and characteristics of local communities. The pilot education program is part of efforts to promote balanced development nationwide, reverse the nation's low birthrate and stem regional migration. Officials believe new education policies will encourage people to stay in Busan and contribute to the local community. As a special education zone, Busan is focused on providing greater access to childcare services, enriching the student experience and increasing citizens' global competitiveness. First, the city and the Busan Office of Education have created an "edu-care" system that will alleviate the burden of childcare on families. The plan, dubbed "Aeji-jungji," will expand afterschool programs at elementary schools to cover more children for longer hours. It will also launch a 24-hour childcare center for newborns to sixth-grade students. Finally, kindergartens and daycare centers will operate longer hours to accomodate working parents. Second, Busan's English-Friendly City campaign is expanding English-language learning for children. "Play with English" is a preschool program offered at 40 Deullak Nallak centers. Furthermore, Busan Global Village operates the English Consultation Center to provide counseling for elementary and middle school students. Finally, Busan will bolster vocational schools, colleges and universities to give students the skills required to advance local industries and compete in the global economy. A new project named Busan Institute of Technology and Science, BITS, will see a consortium of higher education institutions train students in logistics, marine mobility and clean energy.<Voca Spotlight>revamp: 개편autonomously: 자율적으로align: 정렬alleviate: 완화하다bolster: 강화하다vocational school: 직업학교, 전문학교
- New Media Members begin work for 2024 On March 5, Busan New Media Members held a launching ceremony and began full-scale activities. On March 5, Busan Metropolitan City hosted a ceremony at City Hall to launch the 2024 campaign of the New Media Members. New Media Members work as citizen reporters, delivering local news on YouTube and other social media platforms. The Members' content covers culture, tourism and city policies. Each member will work as a blogger, photographer or video editor to share everything Busan offers to residents and visitors. In 2023, New Media Members played a pivotal role in raising Busan's global profile. Several articles written by the team ranked in the top 10 of Naver View, a leading Korean search engine. Member-produced short-form videos on YouTube and Instagram featuring Busan's best attractions reached 5 million views from global audiences. The international reach garnered by New Media Members proved too good for content creators to pass up. During the recruitment period, 431 people applied for 80 positions. This surge in interest in creating Busan-focused content prompted the city to accept 10 more creators than initially planned. Of the 90 new Members, one is an influencer with over 100,000 followers on various social media platforms. The team includes 11 foreigners from eight countries, including Japan, Indonesia, El Salvador, Uzbekistan and Russia. These global talents will promote the city's charms to an international audience and will be ambassadors for Busan's "English-Friendly City" and "Global Hub City" campaigns. This year's crop of New Media Members will work through the year and receive special recognition from Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon on Dec. 31.※International Members: click<Voca Spotlight>pivotal: 중추적인, 핵심적인million: 백만의garnered: 획득한surge: 급증
Enjoy Busan
- The 2024 Busan One Asia Festival kicks off June 8 Korea’s biggest annual K-pop concert is back! The Busan One Asia Festival will take place over two days at two separate venues; the “Big Concert” will be held on June 8 at Busan Asian Main Stadium in Yeonje-gu District, while the “Park Concert” will take place on June 9 at Hwamyeong Ecological Park in Buk-gu District.The initial lineup of the “Big Concert” is headlined by K-pop legends g.o.d, one of the best-selling musical acts in Korean history. The group is celebrated for its touching lyrics about love, family, and friendship, which comfort and encourage fans of all ages.The second group is Super Junior-D&E, a sub-unit of the boy band Super Junior featuring members Donghae and Eunhyuk. The duo’s first studio album, “Countdown,” topped iTunes Top Albums charts in 22 countries when it was released in 2021.Zero Base One, a music group formed through television channel Mnet’s reality competition program “Boys Planet,” will perform at BOF for a consecutive year. Zero Base One’s performance is highly anticipated since it will showcase the group’s new songs, which are scheduled to be released in May.Other confirmed acts include Billie, H1-Key, BoyNextDoor, Lun8, n.SSign and Nowadays.Ticket sales for the concert open on April 19 via Yes24. For more information, visit BOF’s official website and social media channels.※ 2024 Busan One Asia Festival, June 8 to 9 ◎ BOF: bof.or.kr ◎ Instagram: @bof_official_kr @bof.en @bof.tw @bof.jp ◎ Facebook: facebook.com/BusanOneAsiaFestival ◎ Tickets: ticket.yes24.com/ ◎ Busan Asiad Main Stadium: 344 World cup-daero, Yeonje-gu ◎ Hwamyeong Ecological Park: 1718-17 Hwamyeong-dong, Buk-gu<Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>separate: 분리된 venue: 장소 encourage: 용기를 주다 competition: 경쟁 consecutive: 연속된 release: 공개하다 Editor: Song SoomiCopy Editors: Kim Miyoung, Anton J. Mapoy
- Experience baseball passion at Sajik Stadium source: Yonhapnews The Lotte Giants have had a poor start to open the 2024 season, but there is still plenty of time to make a run at the playoffs. The Giants are on the road for a series against the Hanhwa Eagles but will return for home games against the Doosan Bears (April 5 to 7) and Samsung Lions (April 9 to 11).While the results on the diamond have been less than ideal, the game-day experience at Sajik Stadium is excellent.This season, Lotte is offering a new seating section, “G-Round,” that brings fans closer to on-field action than ever before. G-Round offers theater-style seating with comfy chairs and tables. Dedicated entrance gates, restrooms, free locker storage and food and beverage delivery service ensure fans have a pleasant viewing experience.G-Round ticketholders also have exclusive access to the playing field after games.In addition, fans in the outfield seating area will have more space to enjoy games. The section has been renovated and now has 120 seats, down from the previous 390, and more tables have been installed for fans’ comfort. The new outfield seats have been modeled after the seating in the players’ dugout.Ticket prices are the same as last year. However, the Giants have implemented a “Color Price” ticket policy based on the team’s colors.“Ivory” games will offer a 20% discount on tickets. Ivory pricing will happen over 12 weekday, regular season games.“Blue” game ticket prices will increase by 10% and will be in effect over nine weekend games.Finally, another six weekend games will fall under “Red” day prices, details of which will be revealed later.For ticketing and other stadium information, visit the Lotte Giants official website (giantsclub.com/eng).◎ Upcoming games at Sajik Baseball Stadium in April <Today's Voca- 오늘의 단어>ideal: 이상 comfy: 편한 pleasant: 쾌적한 renovate: 개조하다 be revealed: 공개되다 Editor: Song SoomiCopy Editors: Kim Miyoung, Anton J. Mapoy
- Adrenaline rushes in store this April Spring has sprung after a cold, harsh winter. This April, the weather is perfect for spending some quality time outdoors. Busan has the best adrenaline-inducing activities for thrill seekers. Busan is Good put together the best locations to enjoy speed so you can test your limits. Don't miss the beautiful ocean views of Taejongdae when ziplining at the Ocean Flying Theme Park.The upper station at Ocean Flying Theme Park.Grab a seat and enjoy the view inside Thrill on the Mug.The Mirror Maze in MOEI. Take flight at Ocean Flying Theme Park The Ocean Flying Theme Park in Taejongdae, which opened in November 2023, offers visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in pristine nature and enjoy expansive ocean views. The new attraction presents a blend of relaxing experiences at its cafe and hair-raising thrills on its zip line. Spanning a section of the Taejongdae Coastal Tour Road (태종대 해안관광연결도로), the upper station of the park boasts zip lines, observation decks, and a cafe. Meanwhile, the lower station houses an art and culture hall. The exhilarating zip line experience covers a 653-meter trip and includes four zip wires for 50-second travel. To experience the adventure, two days advanced reservations are required. On the day of, participants should arrive at least 20 minutes early to make sure they can go through the necessary safety process and take off without delay. The professional and highly trained staff will help visitors put on the required safety equipment and guide passengers on the best way to ensure a safe experience. Then, a free shuttle service will bring passengers to the top of the zip line entrance. The activity is open to all adventure enthusiasts except those who weigh less than 30 kilograms or over 100 kilograms for safety purposes. Weather conditions can affect zip line availability, so it's recommended to call ahead and confirm a booking. The cafe, Thrill on the Mug, occupies the second and third floors of the upper station, beneath the zip line boarding area. It offers a unique oceanic view of the anchorage just offshore of Taejeongdae. Against the backdrop of the ocean, "Thrill on the Jazz Live!" presents live jazz performances at 6 and 7 p.m. every evening. At the lower station, visitors can indulge in an immersive digital art experience at MOEI. The LED screens showcase fantastical landscapes bound to captivate the entire family. ※Taejongdae Ocean Flying Theme Park ◎Location• Upper Station: 55 Haeyang Healing-ro, Yeongdo-gu • Lower Station: 55 Taejong-ro, 836beon-gil, Yeongdo-gu◎Hours• Zip Line and MOEI: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Thrill on the Mug: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ◎Costs• Zip Line: 30,000 won per rider. • Media Art Exhibition Hall: 10,000 won per person*Yeongdo-gu residents receive 30% off with up to one guest.◎Website: topark.co.krLuge cart racing down a purpose-built track.Enjoy the astonishing view from Sky Ride.Hy Fly adapted cutting-edge technology for safety. Skyline Luge Busan offers thrills for all ages New Zealand company Skyline Enterprises introduced the luge ride in 1985. Since then, the unique, family-friendly activity has entertained millions of riders worldwide. In July 2021, Busan became the second location to host luge riders in Korea after Tongyeong, a coastal city in South Gyeongsang Province. Skyline Luge takes riders on a gravity-powered trip in a wheeled luge down a purpose-built track. Riders have complete control over braking and steering as the cart goes down twists, turns and tunnels. Skyline Luge Busan offers a thrilling 2.4-kilometer ride over four tracks: Wind, Marine, Peak and Forest. Each track has specially designed features, including hairpin corners and exhilarating tunnels, that leave riders grinning from ear to ear. As the company likes to say, "Once is never enough!" Skyline Luge is a fun-filled adventure activity suitable for riders of all ages and experience levels. However, there are some restrictions based on height and age. Children must be 6 years old and taller than 110 centimeters to ride alone; otherwise, they can share a cart with an adult. Children under 85cm cannot ride. Before boarding, instructors give a full briefing on how to operate the luge. Basically, riders should pull back on the handlebars to slow down and stop or release the handlebars to accelerate slightly. After buying tickets, jump aboard the four-seater Sky Ride for a scenic adventure. The ride to the top of the luge tracks gives passengers a bird's eye view of the Osiria skyline. For even more adventure, Skyline Luge Busan has introduced the Skyline Hy Fly. Feel the rush on this new 300-meter zip line track that pushes riders to speeds of 60 kilometers per hour. Traditionally, zip line speeds are subject to gravity; riders accelerate or decelerate based on the slope of the wire. However, Hy Fly's magnetic brake system gives riders total control and makes ziplining safer and easier for passengers. For safety reasons, individual riders must weigh between 25 and 120 kilograms. Cap off the Hy Fly trip with a Free Fall Jump. While donning safety gear, visitors can jump to earth from a tall tower and feel like an action movie star. The Free Fall Jump is available to individuals who weigh between 40 and 120 kilograms.※SkyLuge Busan◎Address: 205 Gijanghaean-ro, Gijang-gun◎Hours•Luge: Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Closes at 8 p.m. on weekends and public holidays. • Hy Fly Zip Line: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.◎Costs• Luge: 30,000 to 36,000won• Luge and Hy Fly: 59,000 to 69,000 won • Free Fall Jump: 10,000 won※Discounted prices are available online. ◎Website: skylineluge.kr/busan<Voca Spotlight>harsh: 가혹한adrenaline-inducing: 아드레날린을 유발하는immerse: 몰입하는, 몰입감 있는exhilarating: 짜릿한enthusiast: 열성팬backdrop: 배경grinning: 웃는 모습, 웃는 얼굴accelerate: 가속하다decelerate: 감속하다donning: 착용하다, (옷을) 입다
Food
- Busan's culinary coming out party has three stars Earlier this year, Busan debuted on the international culinary scene when it appeared as a Michelin Guide city for the first time. Of the 43 restaurants listed by Michelin, three received the coveted star status. Busan's three starred restaurants matches or exceeds the number in other cities, namely Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Izmir, Turkey, and Penang, Malaysia. The Michelin Guide began in 1889 when brothers Andrew and Edouard Michelin founded their eponymous tire company and were looking for a way to help motorists develop their trips; thereby boosting car sales and in turn, tire sales. The brothers developed a small guide filled with handy information for travelers, including how to change a tire and places where a weary driver could rest. Since then, the Michelin Guide has become one of the most reliable sources of information on restaurants around the world, and inclusion on its various lists confers unmatched prestige on an establishment. Each restaurant is assessed using the Michelin Guide's traditional and universal methodology, based on five criteria: The quality of the ingredients; the mastery of cooking; the harmony of flavors; the personality of the chef through the cuisine; and the consistency both over time and across the entire menu. Inspectors who have at least 10 years of experience in the industry evaluate restaurants by the Michelin Star rating system: One Star for a very good restaurant in its category; Two Stars for restaurants with excellent cooking and worth a detour; Three Stars for restaurants that offer exceptional cuisine and are worth a special journey. Busan is proud of its three One-Star restaurants: Palate, Mori and Fiotto.Busan's Michelin StarsPalate's Sea Bream Caper, served with a kelp puree and lemon coulis, is one of the restaurant's most popular dishes.■Palate (팔레트) Palate offers diners avant-garde French cuisine that reflects Chef Kim Jae-hoon's innovative approach. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Australia, Chef Kim enjoys an epicurean challenge that incorporates culinary experimentation and traditional techniques. The result is Palate's free-spirited and adventurous meals. Palate's views include Yonghoman Bay Wharf and Gwangandaegyo Bridge, creating an alluring vibe that serves as a fine companion during the meal. The restaurant offers a five-course lunch menu and a seven-course dinner menu.•Address: 66-30 Bunpo-ro, 3rd floor, Nam-gu•Hours: Open Wednesday to Sun-day, noon to 11 p.m. Break time from 3 to 6 p.m. •Price: 66,000 won for lunch course and 150,000 won for dinner course•Instagram: @palate.busan Ravioli filled with flounder meat, watermelon radish sprinkled with chamomile kombucha, and kale oil with a fresh scent are all handmade by the chefs at Fiotto.■Fiotto (피오또) Located on Dalmaji Hill, Fiotto is a cozy Italian pasta bistro that opened in 2021. It is run and owned by a chef couple. The restaurant's pasta-only courses feature homemade or directly sourced ingredients from the owners' family farm. When the chefs aren't serving fresh pasta dishes, they are on the farm actively growing and cultivating the ingredients they use in the kitchen. This farm-to-table ethos also earned Fiotto a Michelin Green Star, an annual award highlighting restaurants at the forefront of the industry regarding sustainable practices. •Address: 432 Jwadongsunhwan-ro, 2nd floor, Haeundae-gu•Hours: Open Wednesday to Sunday, 5 to 10 p.m.•Price: 75,000 won per person •Note: The restaurant will close from April 1 to 15. •instagram: @fiotto_busan Mori uses a charcoal grill to give dishes rich flavor and tender texture.■Mori (모리) Opened in 2020, Mori is a Japanese kaiseki restaurant co-owned by a Korean chef trained in Japan and his Japanese wife, whom the restaurant is named after. Chef Kim Wan-gyu crafts delicate and delightful dishes that perfectly harmonize Busan's bounty of fresh seafood and seasonal produce. The seafood in every dish comes from the local market every morning.•Address: 2-4 Pale de Cz, 24 Haeun-daehaebyeon-ro 298beon-gil, 2nd floor, Haeundae-gu•Hours: Open 7 to 11 p.m. on Tues-days, 6 to 11 p.m. from Wednesday to Friday, and 5:30 to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.•Price: 180,000 won per person •Instagram: @haeundae_mori ※ Menus, prices and/or hours may vary <Voca Spotlight>culinary: 요리exceed: 초과하다eponymous: 이름의 시조가 된inclusion: 포함, 포용methodology: 방법론Sea Bream: 도미(생선)kelp: 해조류, 다시마coulis: 쿨리(음식을 으깬 뒤 체에 걸러 만든 소스)avant-garde: 전위적인epicurean: 미식가, 식도락wharf: 부두alluring: 매혹적인Ravioli: 라비올리(얇은 반죽에 속을 채운 파스타의 일종)flounder: 가자미watermelon radish: 수박무kombucha: 콤부차(차를 우린 물을 발효시킨 음료)bistro: 비스트로(규모가 작은 식당)charcoal: 숯kaiseki: 가이세키(일본식 코스 요리)
- Gimbap is good for breakfast, lunch or dinner A roll of basic gimbap, filled with rice, carrots, spinach, egg, ham, pickled radish and fish cake, is a nutritious and complete meal. It is a staple in the diet of on-the-go Koreans. After three months of winter, spring is almost here. A picnic is an excellent way to enjoy the breezy, warm weather. For Koreans, no picnic feast is complete without "gimbap." A staple of quick and convenient meals, gimbap is made of rice, vegetables and proteins wrapped around dried sheets of seaweed. Cut up and served in bite-sized pieces, a single roll of gimbap is a nutritious and filling meal, perfect for any time of day and occasion. Like sandwiches, the virtue of gimbap is its versatility. Simple rolls can be a light snack eaten between meals, while rolls stuffed to the brim can feed multiple people at once. Standard gimbap is filled with carrots, pickled radishes, cucumbers, ham and eggs. Popular variations include tuna, cheese, pork cutlets and bulgogi. Given that most non-Koreans' favorite Korean food is bulgogi, bulgogi gimbap is an approachable way to enter the world of seaweed rice rolls. Tuna gimbap includes a savory and creamy combination of canned tuna and mayonnaise. It is a popular dish for home cooks and is also found at many convenience stores. Some variations include fresh perilla leaves to add an herbaceous and refreshing bite that perfectly complements the tuna. Another popular version is "donkatsu" gimbap, or gimbap made with fried pork cutlets, another favorite food for Koreans. Combining the cutlets with gimbap creates a sumptuous and delicious rice roll. The crisp seaweed, soft rice, crunchy pork and fresh vegetables form a winning combination. Richer versions of gimbap feature cheese, pork belly or Spam. Recently, fully frozen "yubu" gimbap, made with fried tofu, gained popularity among global customers keen on K-culture and a healthy diet.Keto gimbap, top, and chungmu gimbap are popular variations. If you love gimbap but are on a low-carb diet, try keto gimbap. Great for those who follow a ketogenic diet, the rice is replaced by thinly shredded fried eggs and can include high-protein ingredients like chicken breast. Finally, no gimbap bucket list is complete without "chungmu" gimbap. Originating from the seaside city of Chungmu, now called Tongyeong, chungmu gimbap features thinner rolls with an unseasoned surface filled only with rice. The rolls are served with spicy "ojingeo muchim," squid salad, and "seokbakji," radish kimchi. Chungmu gimbap is a local delicacy in Tongyeong and Gyeongsangnam-do Province. It was created to feed fishermen, whose stays at sea required filling and long-lasting meals.■ Enjoy various gimbap at Bujeon Market Bujeon Market Town, in Bujeon-dong, Busanjin-gu District, is one of the biggest traditional markets in the area. Its numerous pathways are filled with many amazing products and items, from meat, vegetables and seafood to herbal medicine, ginseng and even electronic devices. Recently, the market gained popularity among tourists thanks to its cheap but high-quality gimbap stalls. Picnic-goers visiting the nearby Busan Citizens Park should pick up a few rolls of pollack roe gimbap to enjoy out in the spring weather.•Address: 23 Jungang-daero 783beon-gil, Busanjin-gu•Hours: Open daily from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.<Voca Spotlight>spinach: 시금치nutritious: 영양가 있는versatility: 다용도성, 범용성savory: 감칠맛나는perilla leaf: 깻잎herbaceous: 풀 또는 풀잎의sumptuous: 호화로운
- Busan’s Michelin Star restaurants Busan debuted in Michelin’s culinary coverage at the end of February. Of the 43 restaurants included in the Michelin Guide, three received the coveted star status. Busan’s three one-star restaurants top a list that includes 15 Bib Gourmand and 25 selected restaurants. Daily Busan proudly introduces Busan’s Michelin stars. The entire restaurant listing can be found on the Michelin Guide’s official website and their free app.★ Palate(팔레트) source: guide.michelin.com Palate offers diners avant-garde French cuisine that reflects Chef Kim Jae-hoon’s innovative approach. Chef Kim enjoys an epicurean challenge that incorporates culinary experimentation and traditional dishes. The result is Palate’s free-spirited, adventurous and luscious meals. Palate’s views include Yonghoman Bay Wharf and Gwangandaegyo Bridge, creating an alluring vibe that serves as a fine companion during the meal. The restaurant offers a five-course lunch menu and a seven-course dinner menu.• Hours: Open Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 11 p.m. Break time from 3 to 6 p.m. • Address: 66-30 Bunpo-ro, 3rd floor, Nam-gu ★ Mori(모리) source: guide.michelin.com Mori is a Japanese kaiseki restaurant co-owned by a Korean chef trained in Japan and his Japanese wife. Chef Kim Wan-gyu crafts delicate and delightful dishes that perfectly harmonize Busan’s bounty of fresh seafood and seasonal produce.•Hours: Open 7 to 11 p.m. on Tuesdays, 6 to 11 p.m. from Wednesday to Friday, and 5:30 to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.•Address: 2-4 Pale de Cz, 24 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro 298beon-gil, 2nd floor, Haeundae-gu★ Fiotto(피오또) source: guide.michelin.com Fiotto is a cozy Italian pasta bistro run by a chef couple. The restaurant’s pasta-only courses feature homemade or directly sourced ingredients from the owners’ family farm. When the chefs aren’t serving fresh pasta dishes, they are on the farm actively growing and cultivating the ingredients they use in the kitchen. You can select wines or kombucha to pair with the meal. The restaurant is also recognized as a Michelin Green Star, an annual award highlighting restaurants at the forefront of the industry regarding sustainable practices.•Hours: Open Wednesday to Sunday, 5 to 10 p.m.•Address: 432 Jwadongsunhwan-ro, 4th floor, Haeundae-gu◎ Michelin Guide Busan 2024: guide.michelin.com/kr/ko/busan-region/busan_1025838/restaurants?sort=distance<Today's Voca- 오늘의 단어>culinary: 요리의 coveted:탐내는 innovative: 혁신적인 incorporate: 포함하다 experimentation: 실험 luscious: 감미로운 delicate: 섬세한 ingredient: 재료Editor: Song SoomiCopy Editors: Kim Miyoung, Anton J. Mapoy
Life
- Get free pet insurance when you adopt a dog Busan Metropolitan City offers free pet insurance to citizens who adopt dogs from designated shelters and adoption centers citywide. Dogs must be registered and implanted with an identification microchip to be eligible for coverage.The plan reimburses up to 60% of veterinary medical expenses, including surgery and treatments for injury or illness, for up to 10 million won annually.In addition, the insurance plan covers liability up to 5 million won if the dog causes harm to other people or animals.The insurance program is offered until Dec. 31, and the insurance period lasts one year from the subscription date. Contact DB Insurance for more information.◎ Inquiry: DB Insurance (1660-1621)<Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>insurance: 보험 adopt: 입양하다 designated: 지정된 shelter: 보호소 register: 등록하다 implant: 심다 be eligible for: ~의 자격이 있는 coverage: 보험 reimburse: 배상하다 veterinary: 수의학의 expense: 비용 surgery: 수술 liability: 부담Editor: Song SoomiCopy Editors: Kim Miyoung, Anton J. Mapoy
- Meet your reading goals with Busan e-Library The Busan e-Library, established in 2020, offers a vast collection of books, audiobooks, periodicals, music and more to all Busan citizens.Register for a library card at your local branch or via the e-Library website to access the content. Foreign residents must submit their alien registration number when joining. After joining, users can access content through the website or various smartphone apps.As of March, the e-library houses 15,000 e-books and audiobooks, from classics to new releases. Users can check out up to five books at a time for up to 15 days; books are returned automatically. Book due dates may be extended up to seven days after the initial check-out. The e-library also offers subscription services in collaboration with domestic e-book providers such as Kyobo, Aladin, Bookcube and others. The e-book service providers offer a total of 220,000 books. Users may check out up to 30 books per month, which are automatically returned 15 days after the check-out date.Busan e-Library offers 18 kinds of content covering poetry, kids’ English books, magazines, newspapers, music, papers and lectures on humanities, foreign language lectures and IT.◎ Busan Metropolitan City e-Library: library.busan.go.kr/elib◎ Inquiry: e-Library (051-310-5465), e-book Subscription and online content (051-310-5431)<Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>vast: 대량의 periodical: 정기 간행물 alien registration number: 외국인 등록 번호 subscription: 구독 Editor: Song SoomiCopy Editors: Kim Miyoung, Anton J. Mapoy
- [Big Quiz] The global coffee show is coming to Busan! Calling all coffee lovers! From May 1 to 4, the big coffee event will be held in Busan.Busan has become a global coffee destination thanks to it's vibrant coffee culture and community of caffeine enthusiasts. In addition, some of the world’s best baristas call Busan home, including 2019 World Barista Champion Jeon Joo-yeon and 2022 World Cup Tasters Champion Moon Heon-gwan. As the coffee trade hub of Korea, Busan is the perfect city to host the number one specialty coffee trade show. This year, thousands of coffee professionals and enthusiasts will come and celebrate specialty coffee in this event. Can you tell me the name of this event?We will give a gift card to 5 people who answered the quiz correctly through a lottery. ■ Quiz Period: April 15 to 24■ Winner Announcement: April 26Click here to participate
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- Take me out to the ball game New Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyoung has Giants fans rejoicing. Kim led his previous team, the Doosan Bears, to seven consecutive Korea Series appearances and three championships. Baseball is a BIG hit in Korea. In fact, it is Korea's most popular sport! From late March to early October, throngs of baseball fans fill stadiums to root for their favorite teams. In Busan, Sajik Baseball Stadium in Dongnae-gu District is ground zero for baseball fervor. Families, friends and couples enthusiastically fill the stands, cheering on the hometown Lotte Giants. The Lotte Giants were established in 1975 and were one of the original six founding franchises of the Korean Baseball Organization League in 1982. The Giants have called the 24,000-seat Sajik Baseball Stadium home since 1985. The stadium is, appropriately, located in the heart of Busan, accessed by metro line 3 via Sajik Station or Sports Complex Station. The Giants last won the Korean Series Championship in 1992 and have only made the playoffs once in the last decade. Despite the team regularly finishing at the bottom of the standings, Giants fans, affectionately called "Busan Seagulls," are arguably the most passionate fanbase on the peninsula. The Seagulls flock to Sajik on game days and create an atmosphere usually associated with college basketball in the United States or pro football in England. Giants fans cheer with a burning passion. For Busanites, there is no better place to shout or sing aloud than Sajik Stadium. It is a safe space to be rowdy and boisterous. Led by professional cheerleaders, the 24,000-strong fanbase scream with joy or groan in frustration with every pitch, hit, out or homerun. In between the action, fans encourage the team, with each player on the Giants roster showered with his own unique song or chant. For visitors and citizens, attending a game at Sajik Stadium is a worthwhile experience. Even if you do not enjoy sports, it is difficult not to get swept up in Giants fever. The energy, passion and camaraderie of the Seagulls is infectious. By the fourth inning, you will join the crowd as it screams, "Ma! Ma! Ma!" at opposing players. Plus, baseball is not the only offering at Sajik Stadium; an equally alluring draw is the food and drink. On game days, vendors inside and outside the stadium sell all manner of tasty treats, beyond peanuts and Cracker Jack. The crack of a bat and the pop of a mitt are just background music for a Korean soul food feast of fried chicken, gimbap, pizza and sweet and spicy tteokbokki. Stop by the Homeplus, a large retail market, near the stadium and stock up on snacks and plastic bottles of beer. KBO League games are played every day of the week except Monday, so there is a good chance the Giants will be home either during the week or on weekends through the beginning of October. Join the action and experience Busan's one-of-a-kind love for baseball. Warm sunshine. A cool breeze. Hot fried chicken. Ice-cold beer. Attending a Lotte Giants game at Sajik Stadium is a grand slam.■ Sajik Baseball Stadium• Address: 45 Sajik-ro, Dongnae-gu• Tickets: 3,000 won to 55,000 won• Website: giantsclub.com• Note: Glass bottles are not permitted inside the stadium. Up to 1L of plastic bottled beer is allowed per person.■ Upcoming games at Sajik Stadium <Voca Spotlight>rejoicing: 기뻐하다consecutive: 연속적인throngs: 군중affectionately: 애정 어린aloud: 큰 소리로rowdy: 소란스러운boisterous: 시끌벅적한groan: 신음소리
- No shoes? No problem! `Earthing' gains ground Next time you are out for a hike, don't be alarmed by people walking sans shoes. The practice, known as "earthing," is said to positively impact health. Ttangmoesan Red Clay Trail is popular with earthers. An increasing number of health-conscious individuals are walking barefoot outdoors, a practice known as "earthing" or "grounding." Practitioners believe doing so has several health benefits thanks to electrons that cover the ground. Adherents believe these electrons dissipate static electricity from the body, which has been linked to various health conditions. At the same time, the electrons spread over and into the body, where they can have antioxidant effects. Whether on grass, sand, or dirt, allowing your skin to touch the natural ground can provide grounding energy, which practitioners believe eases physical and emotional stress and pain. Advocates claim earthing is a "cure-all" remedy that provides enhanced immunity, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-aging effects, improved blood flow, acupressure effects, stronger foot muscles, better sleep and improved mental health. Some even believe earthing can cure cancer. The centuries-old practice of walking barefoot outside has gone viral as the latest wellness trend sweeping social media. In the never-ending quest for better physical and mental health, people have picked up earthing as an easy and effective way to practice self-care. Thanks to the city's mild weather, outdoor spaces and well-maintained walking trails, Busan is a haven to practice earthing year-round. However, before you kick off your socks and step outside, here are some tips to ensure your earthing experience is as pleasant as can be. Stick to safer surfaces, like mud or sand, to avoid unexpected hazards. Walking on forest trails, which might have sharp objects like rocks or broken glass, may lead to injury. Individuals with diabetes or foot wounds should consult their doctor before walking barefoot outdoors. Finally, socks with holes cut out of the bottom can provide the same benefits while keeping toes warm when earthing in the winter. ■ Where to go barefoot in BusanTtangmoesan Trail is part of the Galmaet-gil Trail network. ◎Ttangmoesan Red Clay Trail The 2-kilometer round-trip trail winds between a dense cypress forest and an endless clear lake, providing visitors with a beautiful landscape to enjoy while walking or earthing. No matter the weather, the trail's red clay soothes weary soles. The course also has foot-washing facilities and places to sit and relax. If 2 kilometers isn't enough, the trail is connected to Galmaet-gil Trail section 1 of course no. 8 to Millakgyo Bridge.• Address: 355-2, Oryun-dong, Geumjeong-guEarthers walking along the salty shores of Songjeong Beach. ◎Beaches across the city Busan's beaches are excellent places to go earthing. Ocean water is the best bet for successful grounding due to its high salt content. The salty water serves as an excellent conductor of electrons and helps the body become replenished with vital minerals. Plus, the serenity of the ocean and its idyllic scenery are sure to ease tension and take relaxation to the next level. Songjeong, Gwangalli and Dadaepo beaches offer feet-washing stations. If you want to continue walking the Galmaet-gil Trails, take course 1 from Songjeong, course 2 from Haeundae or Gwangalli and section 3 of course 4 from Dadaepo Beach. The sand field at Busan Citizens Park. ◎Busan Citizens Park Busan Citizens Park in Busanjin-gu District offers three earthing courses: A 300-meter clay road from South Gate 1 to North Gate 1, a 150-meter red clay forest path between North Gate 2 and South Gate, and a sandy path between the music fountain and water playground. All three earthing zones in the park provide feet-washing stations for visitor's convenience.•Address: 73 Simingongwon-ro Busanjin-gu<Voca Spotlight>sans shoes: 신발 없이barefoot: 맨발inflammatory: 염증acupressure: 지압Red Clay: 황토, 적토 replenish: 보충하다
- The perfect winter getaway is a luxurious oasis The main atrium at Spa Land has large windows that allow sunshine to warm the room throughout the day. "Jjimjilbangs," traditional bathhouses, are beloved hideaways for Koreans during the winter. Most neighborhoods have a jjimjilbang, offering residents a family-friendly, one-stop leisure facility with baths, saunas, steam rooms and ample space to socialize or sleep. Donning an oversized t-shirt and shorts and stepping into an overly warm chamber is a sure panacea to the winter blues. In 1994, the first multipurpose jjimjilbangs were introduced in Busan. In addition to a hot soak and warm bath, these facilities offered comforting meals, exercise equipment, aesthetic treatments and various entertainment options. Spa Land in the Shinsegae Department Store, Centum City, is the ultimate expression of the modern jjimjilbang, a luxurious, sprawling oasis built for one reason: Your relaxation. When Shinsegae broke ground on its flagship store in Centum City, hot springs were discovered at the construction site. The hot springs, which lie 1000 meters underground, are the foundation of Spa Land's temple to self-care. The spring water is sterilized 36 times a day as it is pumped into various pools and baths. Two types of spring water were discovered: Calcium chloride and sodium chloride. Calcium chloride baths promote healthy skin and shiny hair, as the water removes dead skin cells and releases fatigue. On the other hand, sodium chloride baths revitalize you from the inside, as the water enhances blood circulation and aids in pain relief. A long soak in both types will boost your energy levels and refresh your body before returning to your daily routine. Spa Land offers 18 hot spring baths, ranging from extremely cold to extremely hot temperatures, with each offering different health benefits. After bathing, two floors of relaxation and entertainment amenities await. On the first floor, visitors can avail themselves of 13 distinctly themed saunas. The Finnish Sauna is a popular way activate metabolism and relax achy muscles and joints. The Roman Steam Room helps with detoxification and clearing congestion. Others might prefer the Salt Room, which promotes healthy skin and boosts immunity, or the Wave Dream Room, which helps calm a racing mind through sensory immersion and meditation. For those in need of universal healing, the Pyramid Room's walls are set at 52 degrees, the ideal angle for maximizing the absorption of cosmic energy. Or, one could just enjoy some fresh air at the open-air foot spa. For more earthly needs, the second floor features a cafe, restaurant, and entertainment zone with recliners and personal television screens. Patrons can spend a maximum of four hours inside Spa Land when paying the entry fee; however, individuals who spend 10,000 won or more inside will get an extra 2 hours added on for free.Try the inconic jjimjilbang "sheep head" look as you relax. The open-air foot spa is a must-visit spot for couples. Walls in the Pyramid Room are ideal for taking in cosmic energy. ■ Spa Land• Address: 1st floor, Shinsegae Department Store, Centum City, 35 Centumnam-daero, Haeundae-gu • Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Last admission at 10 p.m.•Admission: 23,000 won for adults, 20,000 for minors. Children aged 7 and under are not permitted. A single-entry fee covers four hours of usage, and an additional charge of 5,000 won will apply for each extra hour.• Website: url.kr/ykmgaz<Voca Spotlight>bathhouse: 목욕탕hideaway:은신처donning: 착용temple: 신전sterilize: 살균하다Calcium chloride: 염화칼슘sodium chloride: 염화나트륨fatigue: 피로achy: 아픈congestion: 정체, 급체immersion: 몰입absorption: 흡수