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City working to prevent tragedies caused by heavy rainfall
Busan City is implementing the “Underpass Evacuation Route Installation Project” to enhance safety for the 34 underpasses across the city.The project is a proactive response to the potential risks and unexpected tragedies due to torrential heavy rainfall. Since the 2020 flooding of the Choryang 1(il) underpass in Dong-gu district, most underpasses across the city have been equipped with barriers and water level indicators to block access during inclement weather.Despite these measures, the city recognizes that heavy rainfall, especially during monsoon season, poses a danger to drivers and passengers.To address these dangers, City Hall, district and county offices, and the Busan Infrastructure Cooperation have worked together to ensure that underpasses are as safe as possible.The first measure is securing emergency evacuation routes within each underpass by identifying existing exits or connected pathways, including ladders or stairs. The second measure is to install new emergency evacuation equipment, such as emergency ladders, stairs, guided-evacuation systems and life-saving toolboxes.The project ensures that people inside the underpasses have clear paths to safety and increased chances of survival in the event of flooding or other emergencies.The implementation of these measures will be prioritized based on the risk levels associated with each underpass. The city plans on installing the emergency routes between 2024 and 2026.Busan is committed to improving the safety and well-being of its citizens and reducing anxiety related to adverse weather conditions.
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28th BIFF returns on Oct. 4
source: biff.kr/eng/The 28th Busan International Film Festival will take place from Oct. 4 to 13 at cinemas citywide.This year’s festival host is acclaimed actor Song Kang Ho. Song is one of the most prominent figures in world cinema. He starred in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” and won the Best Actor award at the 75th Cannes Film Festival for his role in the film “Broker.”Chow Yun Fat, the “Big Brother” of Hong Kong cinema and internationally renowned actor, will be feted as this year’s Asian Filmmaker of the Year. He will be honored during the festival’s opening ceremony. In addition, a collection of his films will be screened as part of this year’s Special Program Focus.Other stars expected at this year’s BIFF include French filmmaker Luc Besson, Chinese actor Fan Bingbing, American actor John Cho, and Korean actors Song Joong-ki, Youn Yuh-jung and Han Hyo-joo.Tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as to the Asia Contents Awards and Global OTT Awards ceremony will be available to the public at 2 p.m. on Sept. 22.Visit the BIFF’s official website for information on purchasing tickets to the week’s events and film screenings.※ 28th Busan International Film Festival, Oct 4 to 13 ◎ Website: biff.kr/eng/ ◎ Instagram: @busanfilmfest ◎ Facebook: facebook.com/busanfilmfest/ ◎ Ticket: ticket.biff.kr ◎ Locations: • Busan Cinema Center: 120 Suyeonggangbyeon-daero, Haeundae-gu • CGV Centum City: 35 Centum nam-daero, 7F, Haeundae-gu • LOTTE CINEMA Centum City: 59 Centum nam-daero, 8F, Haeundae-gu • LOTTE CINEMA Daeyoung: 37 BIFF Gwangjang-ro, Jung-gu • KNN Theater: 30, Centumseo-ro, 1F, Haeundae-gu
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Circle Chart Music Awards lands in Busan
The Circle Chart Music Awards, previously known as the Gaon Chart Music Awards, will take place at BEXCO, Haeundae-gu district, in January 2024. Circle Chart measures artists’ performance across various international and domestic platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Spotify, Apple Music, Melon, Genie, Bugs, Flo and Vibe.The prestigious music awards ceremony is organized by the Korea Music Content Association. It recognizes artists on the commercial performance of their songs and albums based on physical sales and online streams.Busan City and the KMCA agreed that the annual event will be held in Busan until 2026. This is excellent news for Busan’s K-pop fans, as the ceremony regularly features the hottest musical acts.To commemorate the Circle Chart Music Awards’ new home, the KMCA will establish a new award based on the city’s slogan, “Busan is good.”※ Circle Chart Music Awards, Jan. 2024 ◎ BEXCO: 55 APEC-ro, Haeundae-gu district ◎ Website: circlechart.kr ◎ Instagram: @circlechart
Enjoy Busan
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Bring your dog and enjoy the Busan Pet Show 2023
source: busanpetshow.co.kr/mainThe festival for the pets and their owners has returned to Busan. The Busan Pet Show 2023 will take place from Sept. 22 to 24 at BEXCO, Haeundae-gu district. The Busan Cat Show will be held on the same day. Thus, more spectators who love pets are expected to come. The fair will present everything needed to care for your animal friends, from pet food, toys, and treats to apparel and accessories. Information about pet medical care and education will be available. Various events, such as picture taking and giveaways, will be ready for both pet owners and their accompanying pets. The only pets welcome to enter the exhibition hall are dogs. As the safety of dogs and their owners is a top priority, large or sensitive dogs should be muzzled before entering. In addition, owners are responsible for properly disposing and cleaning their pet’s waste in and out of the event area.Tickets cost 5,000 won per person if you make a reservation on the exhibition's official website or 7,000 won for those who purchase their tickets at the ticket box in BEXCO. Children 12 and under may enter for free. For details, visit the official website of the exhibition, linked below.※ Busan Pet Show 2023, Sept. 22 to 24 ◎ BEXCO: 55 APEC-ro, Haeundae-gu district ◎ Website: busanpetshow.co.kr/main ◎ Instagram: @busan_petshow
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2023 Busan Youth Week kicks off Sept. 16
The 2023 Busan Youth Week will take place from Sept. 16 to 20 in Haeundae-gu and Busanjin-gu districts.Youth Day is a relatively new national holiday celebrated on the third Saturday in September. The holiday was first recognized in 2020 and was established to promote youth development and youth rights and raise awareness of youth-related issues. The law defines a “youth” as any person between 9 and 24 years old.Depending on the locale, Youth Day either concludes or kicks off Youth Week. During this time, state and local governments hold festivals and events for young people. Note that the events are geared toward people in their 20s.2023 Busan Youth Week events will be held at two locations. On Sept. 16 and 17, nearly 50 festival booths will operate on Gunam-ro in Haeundae-gu, providing hands-on activities and experiences. On Sept. 18 and 19, a smaller festival(Youth Busking) happens at the KT&G Sangsangmadang Busan building in Busanjin-gu.Additionally, smaller events and activities will take place at both locations throughout the festival period. For more information and a detailed schedule of events, visit the 2023 Busan Youth Week official website.On the other hand, President Yoon attended the '2023 Youth Day Commemoration Ceremony' held at the Cinema Center on the 14th and said, "Young people should be able to voice their opinions not only on youth policies but also on policies across the national economy, society and culture." He also chanted "2030 is ready" with the attendees and prayed for Busan to host the 2030 World Expo. ※ 2023 Busan Youth Week, Sept. 16 to 20 ◎ Locations: • Gunam-ro: the pedestrian walkway between the Haeundae metro station and Haeundae Beach • KT&G Sangsangmadang Busan: 39 Seomyeon-ro, Busanjin-gu ◎ Website: 2030fair.co.kr/
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Experience the 2023 Twilight Ocean Festa
The 2023 Twilight Ocean Festa takes place on Oct. 8 and 9 at Gwangalli Beach in Suyeong-gu district. The event promises a variety of activities suitable for family, friends and loved ones alike.Each day of the festival is divided into two parts, each lasting for one hour and accommodating up to 100 participants.1. Part 1 (5 p.m.)Kick off the evening with ice-breaking activities. Enjoy a refreshing session of yoga and meditation. Get creative with a sand art activity.2. Part 2 (7 p.m.)Immerse yourself in a blindfolded sensory experience. Relax with some yoga. Engage in firefly meditation.Participants should bring their yoga mats, beach towels, and drinking water.The event is open to everyone, and it's entirely free! However, due to limited capacity, early reservations are highly recommended.To learn more about the 2023 Twilight Ocean Festa, check out the event page at Visit Busan.※ 2023 Twilight Ocean Festa, Oct. 8 to 9 ◎ Gwangalli Beach: 219 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu ◎ Website: visitbusan.net/board/view.do?boardId=BBS_0000001&menuCd=DOM_000000204001000000&startPage=1&dataSid=2707 ◎ Reservation: wellmi.net
Food
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Jeon: a simple dish to make any occasion special
Clockwise from top-left:`Jeonyueo,'are made with white fish; `donjeonya,'are meat and tofu patties; `Dongnae pajeon,' is a local take on Korean comfort food; and `sanjeok,' combinations include crab sticks and ham. As the oppressive humidity makes way for cool, gentle breezes, Koreans are reminded that Chuseok is just around the corner. The holiday can be traced back to Korea's agrarian past, when communities celebrated a boutiful harvest. Traditionally, it was known as "Hangawi," which refers to the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, the date of the full Harvest Moon based on the lunar calendar. The holiday usually falls between September and November of the Gregorian Calendar used today. Similar to Thanksgiving holidays in the West, people celebrate Chuseok with family gathered around a table full of carefully prepared foods. People from all over the country spend hours travelling to their hometowns, seeking the comfort of loved ones and home cooking. Among the many dishes prepared for a Chuseok celebration, "jeon" are most closely associated with the holiday.■ A staple of the Korean holiday table Actually, jeon are a must-have food for any celebration, not just Chuseok. Also called "zzizim" in Busan and the surrounding area, jeon can be any protein, vegetable, or combination thereof, coated in a flour batter and fried. "Jeonyueo" are jeon made with any white fish, typically pieces of cod or brown croaker. In some areas, it is common to use shark meat. In any case, pieces of fish are seasoned, dusted with flour and dipped into beaten eggs before being pan-fried. The cooking method results in a tasty piece of fish that is crispy on the outside while juicy and tender on the inside.※Jeonyueo Recipe ▷Ingredients 12-15 filets of cod or other white fish (fresh or frozen), 200g of flour or Korean pancake mix (부침가루), 2-3 eggs beaten, salt and black pepper, oil for frying.▷Steps 1. Defrost the fish if necessary. Put the fish filets into a large bowl and gently season with salt and pepper. 2. Cover the fish with the flour and mix it until each piece of fish is lightly coated. 3. Heat a pan over medium and coat the bottom of the pan with oil. 4. When the pan is ready, take a piece of fish, shake off any excess flour, and dip it into the beaten eggs. The fish should be fully coated with the egg mixture. Repeat as necessary. 5. Carefully lay the fish into the pan, but don't overcrowd it. Fry each piece until both sides are golden brown. 6. Serve and enjoy! Other popular jeon include"donjeonya,"small patties made of ground meat mixed with finely chopped green onions and tofu; and "sanjeok," thinly sliced protein and vegetables skewered on small, wooden sticks.■ Perfect for sharing "Pajeon" are savory crowd-pleasers, perfect for any Korean meal. Often called a "Korean Pancake," pajeon refers to any jeon made with a flour batter that uses green onions as a prominent ingredient. Other ingredients can be mixed in, like shredded vegetables or a mix of seafood. Crisp at the edges, soft in the center, and filled with delicious ingredients, these are irresistible and comforting pancakes, best enjoyed on a rainy day. "Dongnae pajeon" is a local take on the dish, with slightly different ingredients, such as rice flour, in the batter. Unlike other pajeon, each ingredient is layered in the pan before being covered with the batter. The resulting pancake has a thin and crispy exterior with a soft and gooey center. Pair it with a glass of "makgeolli," or rice wine.※ Seafood Dongnae Pajeon Recipe▷ Ingredients 2 bunches of green onion, 85g of flour, 65g of rice flour, 315ml of ice cold water, 2 eggs, 6 pieces of shelled and deveined shrimp, 1 handful of clam meat, salt and black pepper, oil for frying.▷ Steps 1. Remove the roots of the green onions and thoroughly clean each stalk with water. 2. Mix the seafood in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. 3. In a medium-sized bowl, make the batter by thoroughly combining one egg, both flours and water. 4. Heat a large fry pan over medium heat and add enough cooking oil to coat. 5. Now it's time to layer. Take half of the onions, dip them into the batter and spread them into a single layer on the bottom of the pan. Spread the seafood mixture on top. Use the remaining onions to cover the seafood. Then, ladle more batter on top until everything is thinly coated. 6. Once the bottom is nicely browned, flip the whole pancake over and cover with a lid. 7. Once browned, flip it over again. Crack the remaining egg on top of the pancake and spread it into a thin layer. Cover the pan with a lid and continue cooking until the egg is cooked through.8. Serve and enjoy!
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German beers make Busanites hoppy
Refreshing and foamy beer is the perfect tonic on a sweltering summer day.Planet M, the main centerpiece for Expo Plaza in Hannover. Expo 2000 stands as a milestone in history since it was the first World Expo held in the new millennium. Given this significance, competition among candidate cities was fierce. Ultimately, Hannover, Germany, won by a single vote. Expo 2000 Hannover opened on June 1, 2000. Germany and other participating nations envisioned a more sustainable Expo. In 1994, the Bureau International des Expositions, the organizing body of World Expos, passed a resolution requiring organizers to plan for the re-use of the Expo site. As a result, Germany required all participants to adhere to strict sustainability guidelines known as the Hannover Principles, which tasked designers with creating structures that harmonized with nature and endured for the long-term. One could argue that this ethos of creating things that last is present in Germany's beer culture as well. German brewing dates at least to the 9th century. In 1516, the German state of Bavaria adopted the "Reinheitsgebot," or "purity law," which ensured that every mug of beer was produced following strict guidelines. The Reinheitsgebot dictates that beer may contain only three ingredients돟 Water, barley and hops. While a new, more liberal beer law was adopted in 1993, the strict adherence to brewing guidelines has helped Germany's beer culture endure for the long-term. Perhaps no country in the world is more closely associated with beer than Germany. Thankfully, Busan residents can enjoy German craft brewing right here in the city. The Reinheitsgebot tradition is alive and well in our City by the Sea.the currywurst pairs well with any beer you prefer.■Turmbräu Korea (툼브로이 코리아) Turmbräu is a brewery that started in Mühldorf, Bavaria, Germany, in the late 17th century. The brewery was acquired in 1907 by the Grätz family. In 2020, Andreas Meyndt, a descendant of the Grätz family, opened the Turmbräu Korea taproom in Songjeong-dong, Haeundae-gu district. Meyndt and his family brew beer based on a Reinheitsgebot recipe handed down through the generations. Enjoy a glass of beer with traditional German fare, such as schnitzel, sausage and currywurst. Address: 1244 Haeun-daero, Haeundae-guHours: Open 4 to 10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 2 to 10 p.m. on weekendsInstagram: @turmbrau_koreaSüden has a variety of beers on tap■Süden (주든) Süden in Suyeong-gu is the second pub run by the Turmbräu group. This location has Turmbräu's most popular beers, including Helles, a crisp and golden pale lager, and Weisse, an aromatic and refreshing wheat beer. Ice-cold beer pairs best with warm food. At Süden, patrons' most favorite dishes are the spicy goulash ramen and the currywurst, a popular German street food of sausages and fries.Address: 2F, 202 Gwangnam-ro, Suyeong-guHours: Open 5 p.m. to midnight on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and SaturdayInstagram: @suden_gwangan Enjoy beer and barbecue at the Nongshim Hotel beer garden■Hurshimchung Bräu (허심청 브로이) Hurshimchung Bräu is a brewery and beer garden in Hotel Nongshim in Dongnae-gu district. Since 2004, the brewery has produced beer following German tradition. Beers on tap include a pilsner, weizen and dunkel. While the main pub is temporarily closed, patrons can enjoy a warm summer night in the beer garden, located at the outdoor courtyard of the hotel. The beer garden is open annually from April to October.Address: 23 Geumganggongwon-ro 20 beon-gil, Dongnae-guHours: Open 5 p.m. to midnight every dayInstagram: @hotel_nongshim
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Chinese flavors that transcend time and borders
Shanghai, located on the east coast at the mouth of the Yangtze River, is the center of China's economy. The "City on the Sea" is also the center of global trade as Shanghai houses the world's largest and busiest container port. With a population of nearly 27 million people, Shanghai is the most populous city in China. One of the most significant factors driving the city's growth was the Expo 2010 Shanghai. The record-breaking Expo transformed the city and innovated urban growth and development worldwide. From May to October 2010, a record-setting 73 million people visited the 5.28-square-kilometer Expo site, the largest ever at the time. The World Expo helped people see Shanghai as a world-class travel destination. Pre-pandemic, the annual average number of visitors was 8.4 million. Often called the "Paris of the East," tourists marvel at ancient culture, magnificent skylines and numerous shopping malls across the city. However, the major attraction is Shanghai's food scene, which boasts incredible street food vendors and nearly 130 Michelin Guide-rated restaurants. Shanghai cuisine is an amalgamation of ancient Chinese cooking culture, regional specialties and Western influence. Its food culture is also based on the abundance of food sources from a wide range of climates across China's vast territory. Although Chinese cuisine spans the last five millennia, it continues to evolve. As Chinese gastronomy travels the world, it combines local ingredients and techniques to create new dishes. "Jajangmyeon," or noodles in black bean sauce, in Korea and orange chicken in the U.S. are the perfect examples of localization. You can enjoy great Chinese meals in Busan, one of the best gourmet cities in Korea. Superstars of Chinese cuisine, like Peking duck (Beijing duck), mapo tofu and dumplings, are readily available. The restaurants below serve authentic tasting dishes.■ Busan (부우사안) Busan is a boutique Chinese restaurant, perfect for special celebrations. The most popular dish is the Peking duck (Beijing duck). A whole duck, with crispy, intensely golden-brown skin is brought to your table before being sliced into tender pieces. Eat a piece of duck wrapped into a thin pancake or stuffed into a steamed bao bun and you'll wish you were celebrating something tomorrow. End the meal with the duck fried rice and you'll wish you were celebrating something the day after tomorrow.◎ Address: 16 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro 209beonna-gil, Haeundae-gu◎ Hours: Open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Break time 3 to 5 p.m. Closed holidays.◎ Specialty: Peking duck (Beijing duck) costs 90,000 won. An advanced reservation is needed at least on the day you visit.◎ Phone: 051-741-3310■ Sandong Wantang Gyojagwan (산동완탕교자관) Operated by a Chinese owner, it feels as though a restaurant in China was relocated to Korea. Korean-Chinese dishes, such as jajangmyeon and jjamppong, are nowhere to be found. Instead, the menu features authentic Chinese dishes full of traditonal flavors. The main reason to eat here is the dumplings. Whether fried, steamed or in soup, every dumpling is a handcrafted pouch of extraordinary flavor. Each serving comes with eight pieces. The main reason to eat here again is the mapo tofu, silky cubes of tofu covered in a spicy, mouth-numbing red sauce. The generous portion size requires a bowl of rice, or two.◎ Address: 11 Jungangdae-ro 269beongil Dong-gu◎ Hours: Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.◎ Specialty: Mapo tofu costs 10,000 won.◎ Phone: 070-8240-2385■ Pyeonuibang (편의방) Flashing a striking red signboard, Pyeonuibang is a Chinese dumpling shop operated by the third generation of owners. It is famous for Samseon dumplings, which are limited to 40 servings per day and must be ordered by phone 30 minutes in advance. Each juicy golf-ball sized Samseon dumpling is overstuffed with vegetables, mushrooms and prawns. Another popular dish is the "kkanpung" dumplings, a dish of fried dumplings tossed in a tangy, sweet and spicy sauce. The chef adds some crushed peanuts and nacho chips for added texture and crunch.◎ Address: 13-5 Daeshingongwon-ro Seo-gu◎ Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (break time 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays). Closed on Mondays.◎ Specialty: Samseon dumplings cost 10,500 won.◎ Phone: 051-256-2121 The China Pavilion at Expo 2010, called the `Oriental Crown.'
Life
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Earn 10% cash back with Zero Pay
Ahead of the national holiday, Chuseok, here’s good news for the citizens! The city of Busan hosts a promotion to give 10% cash back to citizens who purchase goods at Zero Pay member stores via the QR code system.Zero Pay is a special mobile payment service integrated into commercial banking and payment apps. The service was launched in 2018 by central and local governments to help small retailers across the nation by reducing the transaction fees levied by credit card companies and banks to nearly zero, where the “Zero” in Zero Pay derives from. Zero Pay is a direct transaction system that transfers money from a consumer’s bank account to a seller’s account when the consumer scans the seller’s customized Zero Pay QR code with their mobile phone to make purchases.In Busan, Zero Pay is available to account holders at BNK Busan Bank, NongHyup Bank and DGB Daegu Bank. The system can be accessed through the account holder’s mobile banking app. Zero Pay has different bank partners nationwide, so individuals outside of Busan should confirm if their bank accounts are eligible. Zero Pay can also be accessed through the Biffle Pay app.Each purchase made through the Zero Pay system earns 10% cash back, with a maximum accumulation of 50,000 won. The cash back reward is issued in the form of a mobile certificate within 15 days of purchase.The rewards certificate is delivered via KakaoTalk. Recipients must register the certificate in their mobile banking app or Biffle Pay app. The reward can then be used at Zero Pay member stores until they expire on Dec. 22.In addition, users that spend more than 100,000 won through the BNK Busan Bank app during the promotion period will receive a free coffee coupon.To learn about Zero Pay and participating member stores, download the Z-MAP app. For additional information, visit the official website of the Busan Small Business Support Center link below.◎ Busan Small Business Support Center (부산소상공인종합지원센터): bsbsc.kr/notice/360
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[BIG Quiz] Busan Metropolitan City officially launched the OOOOO OOOOO Pass!
Busan Metropolitan City officially launched the OOOOO OOOOO Pass, which provides significant discounts on local tourist attractions and public transportation exclusively to foreign tourists in the city.There are four options for this pass: a 24-hour pass, a 48-hour pass, and the Big3 and Big5, where you can pick and choose the places you want to visit. Can you tell me the full name of this pass? We will give a gift card to 10 people who answered the quiz correctly through a lottery. ■ Quiz Period: September 18 to 29 ■ Winner Announcement: October 2 CLICK to participate
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Calling for submissions for the HAEVENUE Photo and Video Contest
The HAEVENUE Photo and Video Contest is accepting submissions until Oct. 15.“HAEVENUE,” a portmanteau of “Haeundae” and “Avenue,” refers to the Haeundae International Conference Complex. The area, which spans Haeundae Beach to Centum City, contains luxurious five-star beach hotels, top-notch exhibition and convention infrastructure, and world-class recreation, shopping and leisure facilities.With everything it offers, HAEVENUE has great potential for MICE tourism. MICE, which stands for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, brings in large groups of people for specialized travel. With BEXCO, high-end hotels like the Park Hyatt and Grand Josun Busan, unique venues like the Busan Cinema Center and Nurimaru APEC House, and shopping complexes like Shinsegae Department Store, Centum City, HAEVENUE seamlessly combines business and leisure. The objective of the contest is to highlight HAEVENUE’s unique characteristics and attract MICE organizers. The best submissions will show HAEVENUE as a desirable destination for MICE participants and encourage them to return again and again.Contestants can submit photos or 60-second video clips showcasing the area’s attractions, tour spots, eateries or hidden gems. Entries that creatively promote the area will receive higher scores during evaluation, as will those with that deliver a compelling story and show potential to raise public awareness.Participation is open to Korean and foreign residents, either individually or in groups of fewer than three people. Photo submissions must be either JPG or JPEG files, while video submissions must be in FHD MP4 file format. All submissions should be sent to the email address below. Prizes will be awarded to 100 entries, 70 photo submissions plus 30 video clips. The top-4 photo submissions and the top-4 video submissions will receive cash prizes:1st place - 1,500,000 won2nd place - 1,000,000 won3rd place - 500,000 won4th place - 300,000 won.For complete contest details and submission guidelines, visit the HAEVENUE official website.※ HAEVENUE Photo and Video Contest, until Oct. 15. ◎ Website: haevenue.or.kr ◎ Where to submit: haevenue.contest@gmail.com ◎ Inquiry: 070-8666-7113
Views
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Life is better on the water
Gwangandaegyo Bridge in the blue hour creates a romantic atmosphere perfect for your Instagram feed.The blue hour, from the French expression "l'heure bleue," refers to the time of day each morning and evening when there is neither full daylight nor complete darkness. During this time, the remaining sunlight takes on a mostly blue shade and sets the perfect backdrop for a luxurious yacht tour. Busan is Good, the city's English newspaper, invites you to embark on this dream-like experience unique to Busan.Take in the skyline while lounging in comfort.Passengers embarking the Haeundae River Cruise. ■ Haeundae River Cruise The Haeundae River Cruise, which began operation in November 2020, offers a two-story, 49-foot catamaran yacht. The vessel can accommodate up to 40 people for public or private tours, but the operators limit the number of passengers to create a more comfortable experience. Passengers can lounge in a spacious indoor space or take in panoramic views from the top deck. For an affordable and delightful option, consider the Public Tour, which charts a course based on feedback from previous customers. Tickets for a 60-minute tour range between 10,000 and 30,000 won, and people can take a daytime, sunset or nighttime ride. Tours depart daily every hour on the hour from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. To experience the magical blue hour and night view of the ocean, opt for a tour between 6 and 7 p.m. during late summer. All tours depart from the APEC Naru Park dock on the Suyeonggang River. The yacht sails past the Busan Cinema Center toward Jwasuyeong Bridge before settling under the majestic skyscrapers of Marine City. Afterward, the boat passes under the Gwangandaegyo Bridge before returning to the dock. To secure your spot on the yacht tour, contact the company via phone or KakaoTalk to confirm the departure schedule and make a reservation. Tickets can be purchased online via the Haeundae River Cruise website or at their ticket box in APEC Naru Park in Centum City. Passengers must arrive at the ticketing office 30 minutes prior to their departure time to receive a boarding pass. A valid ID is required to board the vessel.※ Haeundae River Cruise• Address: 85 Suyeonggangbyeon-daero, Haeundae-gu• Website: haeundaerivercruise.com• Inquiry: 051-711-1789■ Diamond Bay Another option to enjoy a lovely voyage in Busan is via the Diamond Bay Yacht Cruise, which sets sail from the Yongho-dong neighborhood of Nam-gu district. Diamond Bay boasts the largest catamaran yacht in Asia and travels 2 routes: the day tour to Oryukdo Island and the night tour which passes Gwangandaegyo Bridge on the way to APEC Nurimaru and the Haeundae area. Each tour lasts 50 minutes. The yacht accommodates up to 92 passengers. Private tours with custom services, like onboard catering, are also available.※ Diamond Bay Yacht Cruise• Address: 101 Bunpo-ro, Yongho-dong, Nam-gu• Website: diamondbay.co.kr• Inquiry: 051-200-2002
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Busan's BIG idea took a long time to develop
The Busan Metropolitan City Brand Pop-Up Exhibition is now open at the Haeridan Museum, the site of the former Haeundae train station. Also known as "Big Up," the exhibition displays merchandise and 3D-printed sculptures featuring Busan's new city branding, "Busan is Good." It will run until Aug. 27.The Big Up pop-up exhibit at Haeridan Museum introduces visitors to Busan's new city identity, which was voted on by some 100,000 citizens.An interactive exhibit shows off the city's new colors. Goods featuring Busan's new logo and slogan, `Busan is good.'The Haeridan Museum is in the former Haeundae train station. The Busan Metropolitan City Brand Pop-Up Exhibition is now open at the Haeridan Museum, the site of the former Haeundae train station. Also known as "Big Up," the exhibition displays merchandise and 3D-printed sculptures featuring Busan's new city branding, "Busan is Good." It will run until Aug. 27. A city's brand is the essence of its identity, and should convey the city's history, culture and traditions. Busan has developed its name value over a number of years by hosting large-scale international events. From the 2002 Asian Games to the ASEAN-ROK Summit in 2022, Busan has established itself as a major international city. Domestically, the city's brand development has been even stronger. The city took first place in Korea's city brand rankings for 11 consecutive months. The Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Busan as the 6th best city in Asia on its livability index, released on June 21. Earlier this year, the city gathered ideas on a new slogan from public relations experts and over 100,000 citizens. After selecting three final ideas, "BIG" was chosen to help develop Busan's global and domestic reputation. "BIG," is an acronym for the new slogan, "Busan is good," and presents the city as a good place to invest in, settle in, and to visit. The exhibition offers citizens and tourists the opportunity to see, enjoy and experience the new slogan, while having the added benefit of raising awareness of the city's new brand. The exhibition features various events to win free prizes. A photo kiosk allows you to print images from your social media profiles. If your printed photo is randomly marked `당첨,' you will receive a free gift. Another way to win is by playing a fun game. Souvenirs, such as keyrings or notebooks, are up for grabs if you can pass the minimum score in the game. While no items are for sale at the Haeridan Museum, a second "BIG" pop-up is open on the first floor of KT&G Sangsang Madang Busan in Busanjin-gu district. This pop-up exhibition is open until Sept. 21, and has several souvenirs and goods embellished with the "Busan is Good" slogan.◎ Address: 621 Haeun-daero, Haeundae-gu◎ Period: July 28 to Aug. 27.◎ Hours: Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.◎ Admission: free.
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To beat the heat, dance in the water
The Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dreams is the largest fountain in Korea, with over 1,000 lights and nearly 1,200 nozzles. It opened in March 2010 and has been cooling down visitors ever since. As the summer heats up, there are several places citywide for you to cool off. Skip the beaches and valleys and head for the city's water fountains. With refreshing streams of water, dazzling lights and music to dance along to, these water fountains are a great way to beat the summer heat.Children enjoy playing in the cool jet streams of Sunset Fountain.■ Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dreams The fountain, located near the entrance to Dadaepo Beach, is massive. Once listed in the Guinness World Records, it covers 2,519 square meters and blasts water 55 meters into the air. While it may no longer be the largest in the world, it is certainly the largest in Korea. During the day, visitors can splash around jets of water. After sunset, the fountain turns into a choreographed show of water, music and lights. The colorful and dynamic sprays are just as glamorous as fireworks in the night sky. Sunset Fountain is a popular background for various events. Opera concerts and taekwondo showcases have been performed alongside the fountain's wet arches. In 2022, idol group NewJeans danced in front of the fountain while listening to their hit single "Attention." Even the hottest girl group in Korea agrees that seeing the Sunset Fountain is one of the coolest experiences you can have in Busan. The in-ground fountain is open from spring to early fall. In the summer, visitors can play in the water daily for 20 minutes every hour from 2 to 5 p.m. An additional 10-minute water play period is available after the 8 p.m. music show. The 20-minute nighttime musical fountain show is available from April to October. From April to August, the performance begins at 8 p.m. on Tuesday to Friday. On weekends and holidays, there are two shows, at 8 and 9 p.m. In September and October, the shows begin 30 minutes earlier. There is no show on Mondays, and performances can be canceled due to inclement weather. For performance details and updates, visit the fountain's official Instagram page (@sunsetfountain_of_dream).The Gounbadagil Water Fountain is a spectacular scene to enjoy.■ Gounbadagil Water Fountain The Gounbadagil Water Fountain is located in Haeundae Square and is embedded in the pedestrian walkway between the Haeundae metro station and Haeundae Beach. Opened in 2018, the fountain has been a popular attraction in the heart of Busan's most popular tourist destination. While it covers only 336 square meters, what the fountain lacks in size is made up by its charm. Spurts of water leap, twirl and dance to a medley of popular songs, dynamic lights and other media clips. The 20-minute fountain music show is available from April to October, Tuesday to Sunday. In July and August, performances are at 2, 5, 7:30 and 9 p.m. Visitors can also cool down in the fountain's sprays three times daily, at 3, 4, and 5:20 p.m. The fountain is closed for maintenance on Mondays.