Busan is good

What to do this weekend: 2026 Busan Craft Beer Masters Challenge

 The 2026 Busan Craft Beer Masters Challenge is coming to the North Port Landmark area from Oct. 16 to 18, where visitors can enjoy locally brewed beers, food and live entertainment against the backdrop of the harbor. The festival offers a lively yet laid-back weekend by the water. A highlight of the festival is a competition spotlighting Busan’s craft beer scene. Local breweries will vie for top honors, with results determined by on-site sales and evaluations from citizen judges, nicknamed Viking Judges, alongside three beer and food experts. The winner will be announced on Oct. 18 after the festival's sales figures are tallied and will receive a certificate. Apart from the competition, visitors can explore pop-up booths from eight Busan-based craft breweries. Food from 15 vendors will provide plenty of dishes to pair with a cold beer. Other activities include a workshop to make miniature beer glasses, an AI photo booth and a craft market. A dedicated picnic mat area will offer a place to settle in and enjoy the festivities. Live performances are also scheduled throughout all three days. YouTube creator Yoo’s Desk, known for blending comedy and music, will perform on opening day, followed by singer Psyburger on Oct. 17. DJ Suvin and the Lotte Giants cheerleading squad will take the stage on Oct. 18. Tickets can be purchased through the Catch Table app or at the venue. Early-bird tickets are available exclusively online for 12,000 won and include a 15,000-won beer voucher. Viking Judge tickets cost 20,000 won and include the opportunity to judge the competition. As benefits vary by ticket type, visitors are encouraged to check the details before purchasing. ※ 2026 Busan Craft Beer Masters Challenge, Oct. 16-18◎ Hours: 4 to 9 p.m.◎ North Port Waterfront Park: 164 Yi Sun-shin-daero, Dong-gu◎ Google Maps: Click ◎ Tickets: Click ◎ Instagram: @craftbeer.busan_official◎ Participating breweries:  -와일드캣브루잉 Wildcat Brewing -고릴라 브루잉 Gorilla Brewing Company -컬러드 Coloredd Brew -툼브로이 Turmbräu -프라하크래프트브루어리㈜ Praha 993 -허심청 브로이 Hurshimchung Bräu  -주식회사 부산맥주 Busan Beer  -허그어스 Hugus Brewery<Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>vie: 어깨를 나란히 하다 evaluation: 평가 vendor: 상점 exclusively: 독점적으로 Editor: Song SoomiCopy Editors: Ryu Hyoseung, Anton J. Mapoy

Dongnae Hot Spring District Named Korea’s Fourth Hot Spring Town

□ On October 1, 2026, the Dongnae Hot Spring District in Dongnae-gu was recognized as the country’s fourth “Hot Spring Town” by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.○ The first three areas to become Hot Spring Towns in 2023 were Suanbo Hot Springs in Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do; Onyang Hot Springs in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do; and Bugok Hot Springs in Changnyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do. Dongnae Hot Springs is the sole addition in the second phase of the project.○ The ministry reviewed the application documents, conducted field inspections and expert evaluations, in addition to considering available resources, accessibility, future prospects, and proposed strategies before making its final decision.○ Pursuant to the Hot Spring Act, the Minister of the Interior and Safety grants Hot Spring Town status following a holistic assessment of water quality, efforts to promote the hot spring industry and tourism, and economic benefits to the community.□ With a heritage dating back to 1,400 years to the Three Kingdoms period, Dongnae Hot Springs is known for its high-temperature, silica-rich spring water, which reaches up to 70.3°C. The Dongnae Hot Spring District is a signature hot spring hub in the heart of the city.○ The district is conveniently connected by Busan Metro Lines 1, 3, and 4, as well as the Donghae Nambu Line. With well-established hot spring facilities and supporting infrastructure, it welcomes two million visitors annually.○ It is also close to natural and historical landmarks such as Geumjeongsan National Park and Dongnaeeupseong Fortress. By linking hot spring visits with nearby points of interest, the Dongnae Hot Spring District is anticipated to encourage extended stays.□ As a next step, Busan seeks to position Dongnae as an urban hot spring tourism destination that goes beyond traditional bathing to combine wellness, relaxation, hands-on programs, and sightseeing.○ The Hot Spring Clinic will specialize in aquatic therapy; the Hot Spri

Visit Busan Mate Debuts

□ A kick-off ceremony for Visit Busan Mate, a tourism concierge team comprising foreign residents and international students in Busan, was held at the Busan Global City Foundation at 10:30 on October 6, 2026.○ Visit Busan Mate is an initiative in which local ambassadors with an understanding of and appreciation for Busan meet overseas tourists face-to-face and deliver relevant information and assistance.□ Visit Busan Mate is operating on a two-month trial basis from October to November.○ At Busan KTX Train Station, 14 participants from 10 countries share tips on major attractions, transportation, and amenities and guide visitors through any difficulties that may arise during a trip, drawing on their native-language skills, cross-cultural perspectives, and personal insights into life in Busan.□ The initiative is valuable because it enables foreign nationals, as local community members, to contribute directly to enhancing the overall travel experience in Busan.□ The city will examine the pilot’s performance, service satisfaction, and opportunities for improvement. The findings of the trial program will inform next year’s plans and pave the way for the gradual expansion of Visit Busan Mate.