Approximately 190,000 visitors attended the 2026 Yeo-su World Island Expo during the four-day Chuseok holiday. In response to earlier criticisms regarding a lack of content, the expo enhanced its experience and performance programs, attracting many family visitors.
The organizing committee announced on the 28th that around 190,000 people visited the expo from September 24 to 27.
Notably, on Chuseok day, September 25, 66,000 people attended, marking the highest daily attendance since the opening. The following day, despite rain in the morning, 59,000 visitors came. That evening, a K-POP concert featuring QWER, Wonwi, and Cherry Filter was held.
Citizen volunteers also contributed to the event's operations during the holiday period.
According to the organizing committee, 79 volunteers assisted each day with entry guidance, managing visitor flow, supporting experience programs, and helping children and seniors. On the rainy day of the 26th, they also provided umbrella rentals and safety information to prevent slips.
Volunteer Kim Jeong-sook said, "Instead of resting during the holiday, I came to the expo, and every time children said 'thank you' as they left, it motivated me. Since this event is in Yeo-su, I thought it was right for locals to welcome visitors personally."
Experience content aimed at family visitors was also implemented just before the holiday.
The theme island featured the 'AI Dasam Docent,' while the Future Island offered drone piloting experiences, the Marine Ecology Island had thread and magnet games, and the Cultural Island hosted a wish paper boat program. Families also participated in the 'Treasure Hunt' across four exhibition halls and the nightly 'Wishing Boat' event.
First grader Lee Si-woo, who participated in the drone piloting experience on the Future Island, said, "I answered quiz questions to earn a certificate and scored a goal with a real drone. I will brag about it to my friends at school."
Local artists and citizens also took part in the festivities. On the 24th, Yeo-su native and world champion b-boy Yoon Il-ro showcased his skills in a citizen participation parade with his young daughter, and the 'Island Picnic Show' featuring clowns, mimes, and buskers was held during the holiday.
Performance programs took place at both the main and sub-venues. Events included 'Baekdo Yuramgi,' 'Island Friends Day' featuring traditional dances from East Timor and the Philippines, dance and EDM performances, and a performance dance drama based on Jeolla Province's naval history.
The sub-venue, Geumo Island's Uhak Port, also hosted the 'Geumo Island Festival' on the 26th, where island residents and tourists enjoyed performances together.
The organizing committee plans to apply the experiences from this Chuseok holiday to improve visitor engagement during the upcoming October holidays.
On October 4, a 'Trot Champion' event featuring Park Ji-hyun, Jang Min-ho, Son Tae-jin, and Yang Ji-won is scheduled, followed by the Yeo-su Jazz Festival on the 9th and the World Gimbap & Salt Festival from the 9th to the 11th. Starting from the 7th, participating regions in the International Exchange Island will also include Hawaii, Kochi, and Palau.
Kim Jong-ki, the organizing committee's secretary-general, stated, "The Chuseok holiday was a four-day opportunity to see how the enhanced content, reflecting visitor feedback, was received on-site. I appreciate the evaluations from family visitors and the dedication of citizen volunteers, and we will strive to provide an even better expo during the October holidays."
Meanwhile, the 2026 Yeo-su World Island Expo, themed 'Connecting Islands, Seas, and the Future,' will run until November 4 at the Dolsan Jinmo area, Yeo-su World Expo site, and the islands of Gaedo and Geumo. The exhibition zone will close for a day on October 6 for renovations and will reopen to visitors on the 7th.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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