Busan is good

Year-end ‘Carmen vs. Carmen’ gala set for Busan Concert Hall on Dec. 12

source: Busan Concert Hall“Carmen vs. Carmen,” a year-end opera gala, comes to Busan Concert Hall at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12. The program brings together highlights from Georges Bizet’s “Carmen,” carrying audiences into the passion and drama of 19th-century Seville, far from the winter chill outside.Presented by the Grand Opera Company, the gala also marks the company’s 30th anniversary. Founded in 1996 and based in Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do Province, the company has helped shape the region’s opera scene over the past three decades.Carlo Palleschi, a renowned maestro of Italian opera, will conduct. Over his career, he has worked with singers including Luciano Pavarotti, Piero Cappuccilli and Renato Bruson, and has performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York and the Berlin Philharmonie. He will lead the DIO Orchestra, the resident orchestra of the Daegu Opera House, in bringing out the color and intensity of Bizet’s score.Mezzo-soprano Seung Hyun Choi, praised for her performance of Carmen at the National Theatre in Prague, will sing the title role. Tenor Sung Kyu Park, a prizewinner at major European competitions, will sing Don Jose. Baritone Jung-Hyun Moon will sing Escamillo, and soprano Hyun Jung Park will sing Micaela. Violinist Ji-Hae Park will also appear, and the Daegu Opera Choir and Junior MK Musical Troupe will round out the lineup. In all, about 150 performers are expected to take the stage.Tickets are 120,000 won for VIP seats, 80,000 won for R seats, 50,000 won for S seats, 30,000 won for A seats and 10,000 won for students. Bookings made by Nov. 12 get a 30% early-bird discount, and other discounts are available for eligible groups. The performance runs about two hours, including a 20-minute intermission, and is open to elementary school students and older. Tickets are available through Classic Busan and YES24, linked below.※ Year-End Opera Gala: “Carmen vs. Carmen,” Dec. 12◎ Busan Concert Hall: 250 Dongpyeong-ro, Busanjin-gu◎ Google Maps: Click ◎ Schedule: Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.◎ Price: 30,000 won to 120,000 won◎ Ticketing- via Busan Concert Hall: Click - via YES24: Click <Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>passion: 열정 renowned: 유명한 intensity: 강도 appear: 출연하다Editor: Song SoomiCopy Editors: Ryu Hyoseung, Anton J. Mapoy

20th Anniversary of UN Veterans International Memorial Day

UN Veterans International Memorial Day is observed every year on November 11 to pay tribute to the sacrifices and courage of United Nations forces who fought in the Korean War.Commemorative sirens will sound citywide at 11:00 a.m. Please join in a one-minute moment of silence in remembrance of the fallen soldiers laid to rest in Busan.A ceremonial gun salute and a memorial flyover by the Republic of Korea Air Force’s Black Eagles will take place during the ceremony, generating noise in nearby neighborhoods. Residents are kindly asked not to be alarmed and are thanked for their understanding.※ Event Overview● Commemorative Sirens: Wednesday, November 11, 11:00–11:01 (one minute), throughout Busan● Ceremonial Gun Salute: Wednesday, November 11, at United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea● Black Eagles Memorial Flyover: Wednesday, November 11, in the vicinity of United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea

Two Runner Assistance Facilities Added to Promote Active Lifestyles

□ Busan Metropolitan City launched two runner assistance facilities at APEC Naru Park and Geumnyeonsan Station in October 2026, bringing the total number to five and making recreational sports more appealing for local residents.○ The runner assistance facilities have changing rooms and lockers and are available to those engaging in running, cycling, and other physical activities.○ Starting with the Dadaepo Runner Assistance Facility in March, the city expanded the initiative to Busan Citizens Park and North Port Waterfront Park in May. The two new facilities are anticipated to further increase opportunities for everyday exercise.□ The new, purpose-built facilities are designed to suit their respective surroundings.○ (Geumnyeonsan Station) Situated inside the station on Busan Metro Line 2, this urban facility makes the most of its excellent public transportation links and serves people heading to Gwangalli Beach and the trails of Geumnyeonsan Mountain.○ (APEC Naru Park) Overlooking the Suyeonggang River, this riverside facility will likely be popular with walkers and runners along nearby paths and pedestrian bridges.□ Busan will encourage greater use of the runner assistance facilities and foster a healthy running culture by incorporating them into local running programs.○ The APEC Naru Park Runner Assistance Facility will be integrated with the Run Busan Crew, which meets weekly in the vicinity. To celebrate the introduction of the Geumnyeonsan Station Runner Assistance Facility, a special running event is slated for October 23 at Samik Beach Waterfront Park.○ Committed to strengthening its reputation as an international sports destination, the city will sustain the growing enthusiasm for urban running by staging major running events. The Run Busan Festival takes place around North Port Waterfront Park on November 14, followed by the World Athletics-certified Busan Bridge Marathon on December 6, with a route spanning Gwangandaegyo Bridge, Busanhang