The 11th Busan Fireworks Festival (Oct.23-24)
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Luminous display will light up Gwangalli's skies
A staggering number of fireworks will create a spectacle on Oct. 24
Countless fireworks will illuminate the autumn sky in Busan. Marking its 11th year, the Busan Fireworks Festival features a one-of-a-kind visual spectacle by using Gwangan Bridge.
Drawing about 1.3 million people every year, the fiery soiree is a world-class event in terms of the program's quality and scale.
Under the theme "Love," the fest takes places for two days on Oct. 23 and 24 in the Gwangalli Beach area, showcasing various side performances.
- Pre-event concert
7 p.m. on Oct. 23
A pre-event concert starting at 7 p.m. on Oct. 23 on a special stage on Gwangalli Beach will precede the main event the next evening. This year, Brilliant Concert Season 4 boasts prominent Korean vocalists. Last year, a picnic-style concert was hosted at Busan Citizens Park, but this time, the concert will be held at the Gwangalli Beach to boost excitement for the main show.
Highly distinguished musicians like Kim Bum-soo, Kim Tae-woo and Ali will set the stage on fire with their signature ballads.
When the concert ends at 9:30 p.m., a teaser fireworks show will be held to pique the crowd's interest.
- Street performances and a live radio show
2 p.m. on Oct. 24
On the main day, all kinds of street performers will take over the areas around Gwangalli Beach and the Beach Road. Buskers, indie bands and hip-hop musicians will join the street parade from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., providing an array of fantastic performances.
From 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Busan and the Gyeongnam region's representative station KNN will put on a live broadcast before the main event.
It will highlight the main features of the Busan Fireworks Festival and offer updates pertaining to the show. The hosts will also take calls and conduct instant interviews.
- Main Fireworks Show
8 p.m. on Oct. 24
The Main Fireworks Show starts at 8 p.m. This year, its focus is on transforming the main concept, "Love," into "Love for Busan."
This kind of fireworks spectacle can only be found in Busan. Some 100,000 lights will explode across the backdrop of the Gwangan Bridge.
Spectators will be in for a treat as Niagara and Color Iguassu Fireworks cascade from the upper level of Gwangan Bridge.
Cutting-edge pyrotechniques will be used such as a media facade. The extravaganza will culminate with epic 25-inch fireworks.
This year's visual bash also stands out in that the production technique has changed. It deviates from the usual, horizontal fireworks display to expand to a "U"-type stage, connecting three points-Dongbaek Island, Gwangalli and Igidae.
This gives the show a multidimensional effect.
Its original 50-minute run time will be compressed into 35 minutes.
A Japanese fireworks production team is also assisting the show, incorporating their own exotic sparklers to paint the skies.
Busan City will cover the festival via a live broadcast at www.badatv.com.
-How to get there: Walk about 5 to 10 minutes from Geumnyeonsan Station or Suyeong Station (Metro line No. 2).
-Information: www.bff.or.kr/ENG
The best places to view this visual wonder
Some of the best seats in the city
Sit back, relax and enjoy the Busan Fireworks Festival from these hidden vantage points
Because the Busan Fireworks Festival draws more than one million people, including Busan citizens and tourists, it is of utmost importance to choose a good spot to view this spectacle.
Restaurants on Gwangalli Beach and its vicinity burst at the seams with people waiting for the event even during the day.
But what other venues ensure such great views of the fireworks? Dynamic Busan is pleased to introduce vantage points that guarantee fantastic viewing.
■ Hwangnyeongsan Mt Beacon Mound
The beacon mound overlooks the entirety of Gwangan Bridge and Gwangalli Beach. People can take in the whole Busan area here - Haeundae, Seomyeon and Dongnae, as well as night views of Gwangalli Beach. Citizens flock to the mound en masse to take photos.
One drawback, however, is that it's a little inconvenient to reach by public transportation. Comfortable shoes are a must, as the hike is about 500 meters (0.3 miles).
-How to get there: Get off at Geumnyeonsan Station (Metro line No. 2) and take a taxi.
■ Millak Waterfront Park
Despite its proximity to Gwangalli Beach, Millak Waterfront Park has fewer people than the beach. This venue does not allow a frontal view, but it's close.
-How to get there: Go out exit 1 of Millak Station (Metro line No. 2), take bus No. 210. Get off at the Millak Waterfront Park stop. Or take a cab from either Gwangan Station, Suyeong Station or Millak Station (Metro line No. 2).
■ Mipo, on the far end of Haeundae Beach
Even though Dongbaek Island blocks the view in Haeundae, its far end, Mipo, ensures visibility of the top three best night views of Busan - Gwangan Bridge, Marine City and Haeundae. After enjoying the fireworks, take a leisurely stroll along Dalmaji Hill to beat the traffic.
-How to get there: Walk away from Chosun Beach Hotel on Haeundae Beach or take a cab from either Jungdong Station or Haeundae Station (both Metro line No. 2).
■ Igidae
Igidae covers the most expansive area of Gwangan Bridge and other night views of Busan. Saunter along the promenade, taking in the most vivid views of Gwangan Bridge, Marine City and Haeundae, as well as the magnificent lights illuminating the skies. There's less competition over seats, too, since this spot stretches over the promenade.
-How to get there: Go out exit 5 of Kyungsung-Pukyong Univ. Station (Metro line No. 2) and take bus Nos. 20,22,24,27,131 and get off at the Igidae stop.
■ Jangsan Mountain
Haeundae Jangsan perfectly fits the bill if you want to capture Marine City's skyscrapers, Gwangan Bridge and shimmering cityscape in your camera.
One potential downside is the walk up Jangsan Mountain, as there's no driving road, but on the flipside, it's absent of huge crowds.
-How to get there: Go out exit 2 of Dongbaek Station (Metro line No. 2) and walk straight toward Haeundae to find a hiking trail.
■ Namcheon Port
If the herds invade the walking trail next to Samik Apartment Complex on Gwangalli Beach, Namcheon Port might be a good option to witness this fantastic kaleidoscope of lights over Gwangan Bridge and Marine City.
-How to get there: Go out exit 7 of Seomyeon Station (Metro line Nos. 1 and 2), take bus No. 583 and get off at Mega Mart Namcheon Branch. If taking a cab, tell the driver, "Mega Mart Namcheon Branch."
The source of news: Dynamic Busan
