Busan is good

Domoheon Open for Chuseok Holidays on September 26–27

□ Domoheon will opens its doors from September 26 to 27, 2026, during the Chuseok holiday and presents a variety of cultural and interactive events for visitors.○ Hours are 10:00 to 20:00 on Saturday, September 26, and 10:00 to 18:00 on Sunday, September 27.○ The facility is closed on September 24 and 25.□ The main building, Sosopung Garden, and café welcome guests to embrace art and relaxation in the heart of the city.○ From 17:00 to 18:00 on September 26, an outdoor jazz concert, ‘Busan, Colored by Jazz II,’ takes place at Sosopung Garden. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis, with attendance limited to 300.○ Folk games and hands-on booths can also be enjoyed at the main building and Sosopung Garden. Those wishing to join a garden program scheduled for September 27 may reserve their spots via the Domoheon website (busan.go.kr/domoheon).○ Domoheon Deullaknallak Children’s Library remains closed on September 26 and operates as usual on September 27.□ Domoheon has expanded its role to not only serve as a communal space for general visitors but also as a venue for international exchanges and civic initiatives.○ In August, Domoheon hosted the 2026 Traveling Craft Masterpieces Exhibition, organized by the Korea Craft Design Foundation, highlighting fine craftworks. In September, the MAD STARS 2026 Creative Pop-up provided an opportunity to share fresh and innovative content and ideas with local audiences.○ In October, the commemorative showcase marking the launch of the 9th popularly elected Busan Metropolitan Government will reinforce Domoheon’s mission as a multifunctional facility where citizens can enrich their daily lives and better appreciate municipal policies and values.□ During the extended period, parking is complimentary, and a shuttle service connects Namcheon Station on Busan Metro Line 2 to Domoheon.○ Parking lot hours are from 09:30 to 20:15 on September 26 and from 09:30 to 18:15 on September 27. To avoid

2026 Seven Bridges Tour, Slated for September 20, Leads Global Sports Tourism

□ The 2026 Seven Bridges Tour: Riding in Busan, a cycling festival celebrating the city’s marine bridges, will be held throughout Busan on September 20, 2026.○ The Seven Bridges Tour is the country’s only large-scale, non-competitive cycling event that forms a circuit that incorporates four marine bridges, two underground roadways, and a tunnel. It aims to build the city’s brand as a sports and tourism destination.○ Approximately 4,000 registrants from Korea and abroad will make their way along Busan’s coastline and through its streets.□ This year’s edition comprises the cycling tour and a range of engaging programs to enjoy together. The cycling tour features a single 77-kilometer ‘Chilchil Course,’ designed to showcase the panoramic views of Busan’s marine bridges.○ After gathering at BEXCO, participants head to Gwangandaegyo Bridge and pass through Sinseondae Underground Roadway, Busanhangdaegyo Bridge, Namhangdaegyo Bridge, Cheonma Tunnel, and Eulsukdodaegyo Bridge. They then turn around in Gonghang-ro before returning to BEXCO. In particular, the route encompasses the Busanhangdaegyo Bridge spiral ramp, known for its breathtaking height, which promises a thrilling experience.○ A timed segment and refreshment stations add excitement and ample chances for rest. Finishers can look forward to a finish line music performance, medal engraving, a photo zone for checking their record, and a selection of local foods.○ Inaugurated last year, the Seven Bridges Tour received considerable attention worldwide for its distinctive course traversing Busan’s marine bridges by bicycle, including CNN coverage in the United States, and has successfully established itself as one of Busan’s signature cycling attractions.□ The 2026 Seven Bridges Tour seeks to increase its international reach by recruiting entrants from overseas, while inviting residents to take part in family-friendly activities.○ After the cyclists set off, up to 1,000 people who

Experimental ‘Macbeth’ to open 2026 Busan International Performing Arts Market

The 2026 Busan International Performing Arts Market will bring about 100 works from 13 countries to Busan from Oct. 1 to 7, with performances at Dongseo University's Centum Campus, Haeundae Cultural Center, Busan Citizens Park and other venues across the city.Now in its fourth year, BPAM returns under the slogan "A New Wave of Performing Arts," with works from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the United States, Spain and Canada. The event is built to connect artists, industry professionals and audiences, and organizers expect more than 400 performing arts professionals to attend.Ara Kim, a leading figure in Korean experimental theater, opens the festival on Oct. 1 with "The Sound of Macbeth" at Dongseo University's Sohyang Theater Woori Bank Hall. Drawing on Shakespeare's language and themes, the production reinterprets the tragedy of “Macbeth” through sound, using actors' voices, movement and music to explore the desires and destructive impulses that drive people to ruin.The festival program is organized into four main categories:Official: Full-length works and showcases invited by BPAM organizers.Wave: Projects by Busan-based artists.Next Stage: Performances by promising young local artists.Link: Collaborations between artists and local festivals, staged in neighborhoods and public spaces citywide.Street B, the market's street arts program, brings performances to Busan Citizens Park and other public spaces. Organizers selected 23 Korean and 11 international teams from 227 submissions.The full program and tickets are available on the BPAM website.※ 2026 Busan International Performing Arts Market, Oct. 1 to 7◎ Website: Click ◎ Tickets: Click <Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>experimental: 실험적인 tragedy: 비극  desire: 욕망 destructive: 파괴적인 submission: 출품작Editor: Song SoomiCopy Editors: Ryu Hyoseung, Anton J. Mapoy

Busan sets tourism records in consecutive months

source: Busan Tourism ArchiveBusan welcomed 2,927,674 international visitors from January to July, putting the city on track to reach its goal of 4 million international visitors for the year. The figure represents a 46.1% year-over-year increase and already accounts for 73.2% of the city’s yearly target. Busan saw its highest monthly visitor total of the year in July, when 507,045 international tourists visited the city. This surpassed the previous monthly record of 484,057 visitors set in June, setting a new high for a consecutive month. With monthly visitor counts generally ranging between 400,000 and 500,000, Busan was expected to surpass the 3 million mark in early August, needing just over 72,000 more visitors to reach the milestone. Last year, the city passed the 3-million threshold for the first time in October, while this year, it was expected to reach the figure two months earlier. The city will release the official August figures at the end of September.In July alone, Taiwan ranked first with 128,000 visitors, followed by China with 125,000, Japan with 49,000 and the United States with 40,000. The latest figures also point to particularly strong growth from the U.S. market. From January to July, visitors from the United States rose 78.4% year over year, from 145,535 to 259,675. Given the current lack of direct flights between the two destinations, the sharp increase suggests that Busan is extending its reach beyond nearby Asian markets and gaining traction as a destination for long-haul travelers. The influx of international visitors is also driving higher spending in the city. International visitors’ card spending in Busan reached 742.3 billion won from January to July, up 50.8% from the same period last year. This put Busan second nationwide, behind Seoul. Medical tourism spending was particularly notable, soaring 118.4% year over year and giving Busan a 37% share of medical tourism spending outside Seoul. Building on this momentum, Busan plans to further strengthen its tourism sector through a series of major events and visitor-focused initiatives. Starting in September, “2026 Busan Global City Week” will bring together the city and its global partner cities to strengthen cooperation and expand international networks. October will also be packed with major international events, including Festival Shiwol, the Busan International Rock Festival, Busan UN Week, and the Global City Tourism Summit. The city is also rolling out measures to make travel more convenient for international visitors. Visit Busan Pass kiosks will be installed at Gimhae International Airport and Busan Station, allowing travelers to purchase the pass conveniently at major transportation hubs. Busan will also upgrade its tourism information systems at popular attractions across the city, making it easier for visitors to find the information they need and enjoy a more seamless travel experience. <Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>surpass: 능가하다 consecutive: 연속되는 traction: 견인 strengthen: 강화하다 conveniently: 편리하게Editor: Song SoomiCopy Editors: Ryu Hyoseung, Anton J. Mapoy