Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City Presents “Busanpo,” an Immersive Musical Combining Performance, Film, and Tourism

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon), in collaboration with the Busan Cinema Center (CEO Ko In-beom), announced that it will officially present the immersive musical “Busanpo” at the outdoor theater of the Busan Cinema Center for three days, from October 30 to November 1.

“Busanpo” is an experiential performance that allows the audience to participate directly on stage as members of the Joseon navy. The show utilizes 3D projection mapping and media art technology to recreate the historic scenes of the Battle of Busanpo on the stage of the Busan Cinema Center’s Roof Theater.

The performance centers on the Battle of Busanpo, the first naval victory of the Joseon navy during the Imjin War. Around 60 participants—including professional actors and citizen performers selected through an open audition—will join forces to deliver a grand and emotionally resonant performance blending historical inspiration with advanced visual expression.

The leading role of Admiral Yi Sun-sin will be played by actor Jo Yu-shin, known for his appearances in The Attorney and Steel Rain 2: Summit, who vividly portrays both the charisma and human anguish of the legendary commander.

The victory at the Battle of Busanpo, which took place on October 5, has deep historical significance, as this date is now celebrated as “Busan Citizens’ Day.”

The Battle of Busanpo was fought in 1592, during the first year of the Imjin War, in which the Joseon navy destroyed over 100 Japanese ships off the coast of Busan and secured control of the sea. It is regarded as a major victory that elevated the prestige of the Joseon navy. Admiral Yi Sun-sin himself praised it in his Nanjung Ilgi (War Diary) as a battle that “instilled fear in the enemy,” though it has received relatively less attention compared to the battles of Hansando, Myeongnyang, and Noryang.

Through this performance, the city plans to reintroduce the Battle of Busanpo as the “Great Battle of Busan” and to develop it into a tourism content combining advanced video technology and performing arts, thereby modernly preserving and promoting Busan’s unique historical heritage.

Amid the global popularity of K-movies and dramas, the story of Yi Sun-sin has been recognized as a narrative with strong universal appeal. In fact, a comic book inspired by The Immortal Yi Sun-sin produced by an American viewer has sold more than 120,000 copies, demonstrating its worldwide potential.

Moreover, concise and immersive performance content has been found to directly influence tourists’ decision-making. Accordingly, the city intends to develop this event as a leading example of a “Busan-style K-content tourism model.”

Citizens wishing to participate in the performance can apply online via the Busan Cinema Center website (dureraum.org).
A deposit of KRW 10,000 per person is required, which will be refunded on-site on the day of the event. Each performance will accommodate up to 1,000 participants.

Kim Hyun-jae, Director General of the Tourism & MICE Industry Bureau, stated, “As Busan welcomes the era of 3 million foreign visitors, we aim to offer a special experience by transforming the city’s historical and cultural heritage into integrated content that combines performance, film, and tourism. We will continue to develop new tourism content befitting Busan’s status as a ‘Global Tourism Hub City.’”