Over 250,000 Visitors to Main and Sub-Venues on October 9–10… Different Stages Every Evening, Seafood Market in the Plaza During the Day

The 2026 Yeosu World Island Fair continued to pulse with energy, welcoming approximately 250,000 visitors over the Hangul Day holiday weekend (October 9–10). From performances set against autumn sunsets and the sea to special seafood discounts and gimbap tastings, a diverse array of attractions drew crowds to both the main and sub-venues. In particular, October 10 marked a meaningful milestone since the opening as cumulative visitors surpassed the 1 million mark.

From Sunset Jazz to The Big Show… Main Venue Features Performances and Market, Sub-Venue Hosts Gimbap Festival

The main venue featured a different stage program every evening. On October 9, the Yeosu Jazz Festival at the Open Stage garnered an enthusiastic response from audiences with performances framed by the autumn sunset and the sea. On the evening of October 10, "THE BIG SHOW," organized through the talent donation of broadcaster Park Kyung-lim and musical actress Ivy, took place. Featuring special appearances by musical actress Kim Kyung-sun and crossover tenor Ryu Ha-na, the event filled the seating area by blending a concert with a talk show. As the performance ended, fireworks launched from the Minam Cruise in the Yeosu open sea lit up the night sky above the exhibition grounds. The sparkling lights reflecting on the sea, combined with the themed island media facade, caught the footsteps of visitors as they left the Open Stage one last time.

Lee Kyung-jin (45), who visited the island exhibition for a weekend outing with her family, said, "It was wonderful to listen to Ivy's live singing right in front of the ocean, and Park Kyung-lim's hosting was so funny that even the kids laughed all the way through. With fireworks bursting right after the performance, it felt like the perfect way to wrap up the day."

Meanwhile, during the day, the plaza transformed into a marketplace. At the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (Suhyup) special seafood discount event on October 10, items such as filefish (seodae), eel, abalone, and dried seaweed were sold at prices 20% to 50% lower than market rates, drawing crowds of eager shoppers. Additionally, two rounds of tasting events featuring 600 servings of abalone and egg gimbap were held at the lawn plaza in front of the themed island, satisfying visitors' appetites and receiving a warm response. The seafood discount event will also be held again on Saturday, October 17.

The "2026 Jeonnam-Gwangju World Gimbap & Salt Festival," which opened on October 9 at the sub-venue, the Yeosu Expo Convention Center, also drew crowds over the two days, keeping both the main and sub-venues bustling side-by-side. On October 11, the final day of the holiday weekend, events continued with the "Island Friends Day" performance by Ghana Volta and the final day of the Gimbap & Salt Festival.

The 1 Millionth Visitor Right in the Middle of the Holiday… "Today Will Remain Long in Our Memory"

In the afternoon of October 10, the second day of the holiday weekend, cumulative visitors surpassed 1 million, with the total reaching 1,064,079 by that day. This milestone was reached 36 days after opening on the 5th of last month. It was a day where the momentum built from early content enhancements, expanded free admission, local talent donations, and citizen participation—flowing seamlessly through the Chuseok, National Foundation Day, and Hangul Day holidays—culminated into a single significant number.

The 1 millionth visitor turned out to be a married couple surnamed Cho (56) and Yoo (56) from Suncheon, who visited nearby Yeosu on their day off and became the lucky protagonists. Expressing their joy, the couple said, "It feels like today will remain long in our memory," and the organizing committee also presented "consolation prizes" to the visitors who entered right before and after them.

Kim Jong-ki, Secretary-General of the organizing committee, stated, "During the first holiday weekend since the reopening, both the main and sub-venues were filled with visitors, and we even welcomed our 1 millionth visitor. Over the remaining three weeks until closing, we will ensure that even more people experience the value of islands through newly renovated exhibition halls and weekend performances."

Meanwhile, running under the theme "Islands, Connecting the Sea and the Future," the 2026 Yeosu World Island Fair is being held until November 4 across the main venue in Dolsan Jinmo District, Yeosu World Expo venue, and the Gaedo and Geumodo island areas.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]