Busan is good

Highly Recommended Haeundae Tourism Spots this Fall Season

BUSAN X THE SKY It is the second tallest, and largest observatory in Korea, located at the top of Haeundae LCT The Sharp. Providing expansive views of both ocean into the distant horizon, and the city too. An at-traction called the Video Zone is on the 98th floor, a Sky Garden and restaurant are on the 99th floor, and an art gallery and photo zone are on the 100th floor. The entrance fee is 27,000 won for adults (over 13-years-old) and 24,000 won for children (aged 3 to 12). Haeundae River Cruise Haeundae River Cruise is a spacious yacht equipped with 43 seats, that cruises between the sea to the river. Setting off from APEC Naru Park, the cruise sails around the Suyeong, Millak and Gwangan Bridges for about an hour. The river cruise offers tour programs for sunset viewing, night views on the river, and even a private tour for those who want to enjoy a meal with their friends and family for special occasions. Booking is available on the website. Website: https://www.haeundaerivercruise.com/ BEACH TRAIN, SKY CAPSULE A tourist attraction that has uti-lized the old Mipo railway of the East-Sea South Line. Beach Train is a tram train and first started on 7th October 2020. Then the Sky Capsule, a monorail train, started on 4th February 2021 and they run from Mipo to Songjeong (4.8km). Every month, around 10,000 passengers take these trains. The Beach Train fares start from 7,000 won and the Sky Capsule starts from 35,000 won, depending on the size of capsule. Website: https://www.bluelinepark.com/ SURF HOLIC A surf shop that provides surfing lessons in all seasons. Its main branch, located in the center of Songjeong Beach, has wide park-ing spaces, changing rooms, and shower facilities. The surfing courses are offered in introducto-ry, technical, intermediate, and advanced stages and the lesson fees start from 65,000 won. BUSAN MUSEUM OF ART In the museum there is an annex that has a permanent display titled "Space Lee Ufan", where artist Lee Ufan's special artwork has

Free Coffee Event with Commitment to Carbon Neutrality

The city of Busan is organizing a “free coffee event with a commitment to carbon neutrality” on two days, November 27 in PNU and December 4 in the commercial district area of Centum City, Haeundae-gu. The event venues are in areas with populations mostly comprised of university students and office workers who are big consumers of coffee. The Busan-based coffee company, Better Monday Korea Co., Ltd., will offer free coffee to those who bring their own tumbler or reusable cup. The event aims to encourage people to use tumblers or reusable cups, instead of disposable cups, and become more familiar with the city’s carbon neutral policy ideas. Free Coffee Event with Commitment to Carbon Neutrality November 27, 2023, 11:00 around Pusan National University (PNU) Sae Byeok Beol Library December 4, 2023, 11:00 around Busan Creative Economy Innovation Center (Centum Green Tower) in Haeundae-gu The event will last until the coffee runs out. (300 cups of coffee) The following institutions and companies are participating in the event. Busan-based coffee company Better Monday Korea Co., Ltd., Busan Creative Economy Innovation Center, Busan Cinema Center, Pusan National University, PNU Environment Association

[Column] Living in Busan

Duncan Morris is a British citizen and Associate Professor at Busan University of Foreign Studies. Professor Morris is involved in proofreading the Haeundae, Gijang, and Ulsan English newsletters. He also participated in World Expo 2030 campaign as proofreader of a letter to Korean War Veterans urging them to support the city from a local Busan mayor.It was 16 years ago that I first came to Korea, and I have been living in Busan all of those years. Over that time, I have seen Busan transform from a mostly unknown second-city (for foreign travelers) into a successful tourist spot that is often the favoured destination for those visiting Korea. It has been inspiring to see Busan galvanize the city towards winning the World Expo 2030 over the last year in an all-out push, against some strong rivals.Prior to coming to Busan, I lived in Brighton, Southeast England, known for its large community of international students who attend the numerous language schools offering ESL classes. So, it was around 2005, several years before I made the jump to Busan that I was first introduced to Korean friends. They were living abroad for the first time in a new country and their curiosity, enthusiasm, great sense of humor, and close-knit friendships were charming. Through these friends I started to learn about Korean culture, language, and food. It was because of these friends (and one – now my wife) I was encouraged to come and teach English in Korea.In 2007 Busan was not on the radar of many international travelers and I remember scanning the city through Google Earth to try and get a sense of what Busan was like. The change in Busan has been considerable since 2007. Shortly after I arrived, Shinsegae Centum became the largest department store in the world. The skyline has grown ever higher each year, now with giant glass skyscrapers stretching into the sky. Parks have been added to the city, and walking and cycle paths now feature along all the city rivers. In my first year here, there were few places to get a good strong cup of coffee, now the options are endless. International restaurants proliferate alongside the traditional Busan seafood fare. Over the last 10 years international attention for Busan came through culture too. Featuring in the films Train to Busan (2016) then Black Panther (2018), and last year’s Decision to Leave (Park Chan Wook). The Busan International Film Festival is now the biggest film festival in Asia.I live with my wife and two sons in the Gwangalli area of Busan. Although the beaches of Busan are famous for summer swimming, they are at their best at other times of the year – a cold, fresh, sunny autumn day for example when the crowds are absent.  I look forward to the annual local festivals that cycle round every season. Starting the year watching the early morning sunrise from the beach with thousands of people on New Year Day I now consider a great way to start the New Year. Later in February there is the full moon fire festival (Daeboreum/대보름)to cheer the end of winter with its big beach bonfires. Gwangalli alone has a spring fishing festival (Eobang/어방축제), numerous music festivals, a major fireworks festival and now weekly drone shows. As an expatriate and permanent resident in Korea I feel lucky to have chosen Busan to live in. The people of Busan have been overwhelmingly warm and friendly. My teaching work at BUFS is enjoyable and rewarding. I have had a variety of experiences I wouldn’t have had in my home country – such as several interviews on the local Busan radio station.Now the winner of the World Expo 2030 has been announced. Although it is disappointing that Busan didn’t clinch the bid for the Expo, it won’t affect the direction of change that Busan is moving in: Modernizing, internationalizing, and rising up through the ranks of best city to live in and visit. It needn’t be necessary to host a world fair to show the world that already Busan is Good.Contributed by Duncan Morris

The best is yet to come

 Busan’s pursuit to host World Expo 2030 has come to an end. Although the city will not host the global event, the 10-year endeavor has transformed the city and established a profound legacy that citizens can be proud of. Busan initiated its plan to host the Expo back in 2014 and submitted a letter of candidature to the BIE in 2021. Efforts intensified in 2022 when newly-elected Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon and newly-elected Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made hosting the World Expo a top administration priority. President Yoon’s “One Team” approach called for central and local government officials to work hand in hand with the leaders of the nation’s largest conglomerates to secure Busan’s bid. As a result, the nation’s most powerful and influential leaders have spent the last two years traveling the world, promoting the city’s global competitiveness and strengthening international relations. During the process, which included four presentations, an on-site inspection by the BIE, diplomatic missions, international summits and countless events, officials showcased Busan’s multifaceted allure as a tier-one tourist destination, a gateway to the Eurasian Continent, a trade and logistics powerhouse, a global financial hub, a gourmand’s paradise, and the epicenter of Korean culture, film and gaming. That Busan is all of this, and more, has resonated with people worldwide and drastically raised the city’s global profile. Busan’s city brand is at an all-time high with unlimited room for growth. Simultaneously, officials have been actively enhancing Busan’s infrastructure to solidify its position as a world-class city. The redevelopment of the Busan North Port, which has a history spanning 150 years, is underway to transform it into a vibrant space converging culture, industry, technological innovation and international exchange. The Gadeokdo New Airport will open in 2029 and complete the city’s “Tri-Port” system, which integrates air, rail and ship transit. The move ensures that passengers and goods can seamlessly travel throughout the region, cementing Busan’s status as a global logistics and transit hub. While many are disappointed in the outcome, there is no question that Busan has laid the groundwork for a promising future. Over the next decade, the city is poised for transformation. It will emerge as a green, smart city where humans and nature coexist; a technological powerhouse where cutting-edge innovation and progress can flourish; and a welcoming community of diverse cultures. Above all, Busan will be a haven of happiness, characterized by an exceptional quality of life where people want to live generation after generation.