Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City to Host the Closing Ceremony of the 106th National Sports Festival on October 23 “The Plane Takes Off, Let’s Fly!” – An Inspiring Finale

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Busan Metropolitan City will hold the closing ceremony of the 106th National Sports Festival at 6:00 p.m. on October 23 at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium, under the theme “The Plane Takes Off, Let’s Fly!”, concluding seven days of intense competition. The ceremony will deliver a touching finale of hope, celebrating the athletes’ new challenges and aspirations.

The event will feature performances that convey the vision of connecting the sea and the sky — symbolizing the future of Busan — and offer an exciting stage where athletes who have competed passionately throughout the festival can come together to celebrate and enjoy Busan. The stage will be set up on the field to allow athletes to join the performances and experience the festive atmosphere up close.

The official ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the declaration of the opening, followed by the entry of the flag-bearing delegation, national ceremony, overall awards, and the closing speech by the President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee. The program will also include the Mayor of Busan’s farewell address and the extinguishing of the flame, inspired by Gadeokdo New Airport, before concluding with celebratory performances.

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The closing ceremony will consist of two major shows, Show 1 and Show 2, utilizing the entire stadium as a massive LED stage, creating a spectacular harmony of video, light, and live performance.

Show 1 – “Sunday’s Sea of Busan”
This performance will highlight the theme “Sunday’s Sea of Busan,” featuring energetic group choreography and a large-scale puppet show inspired by the sea. Extending the festive spirit of the opening performance “The People of Busan,” this show will be filled with the energy of youth and vacation vibes, using beach-themed music and props. The scene will then shift underwater, presenting a mysterious marine world with large sea creature puppets, including mackerel — Busan’s symbolic fish — as well as whales, rays, and Jeju’s cutlassfish, all dancing in an impressive display.

Show 2 – “Halmae and Halmang” (Grandmother Spirits)
The second show will present a women’s dance performance based on the legends of Yeongdo Halmae (the guardian spirit of Busan) and Seonmundae Halmang (the guardian spirit of Jeju), symbolizing the connection between the current host city Busan and the next host city Jeju. The performance will portray the divine strength and protection embodied by these guardian figures, with powerful and bold movements representing the vitality of both cities. The mythical horses Jeoryeongma of Busan and Jejuma of Jeju will appear in response to the spirits’ invocation, expressing unity and harmony between the two regions.

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To conclude the evening, a special celebratory concert will feature popular trot singers Kim Hee-jae, Hong Ji-yoon, and Jin Hae-sung, adding excitement to the festival’s grand finale.

• ●Kim Hee-jae is recognized as a talented “trot idol” who combines strong vocal skills with dynamic performances.

• ●Hong Ji-yoon, runner-up of Miss Trot 2, is acclaimed for blending traditional Korean music with modern trot charm.

• ●Jin Hae-sung, a native of Busan, will deliver a heartfelt performance with his deep, emotional voice and mastery of classic trot style.

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Mayor Park Heong-joon remarked, “The 106th National Sports Festival, held in Busan for the first time in 25 years, was a beautiful celebration unique to our city — where the athletes’ passion and the citizens’ warm support shone brightly. Through this event, Busan has established itself as a foundation for becoming a global sports hub city. We will continue to fully support initiatives that enhance citizens’ health and foster professional sports.”