The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo is drawing crowds with exhibitions and experiences during the day, followed by concerts and fireworks at night as the first holiday of October approaches.
According to the Yeosu World Island Expo Organizing Committee, approximately 44,000 visitors attended the expo on October 2, enjoying exhibitions, experience programs, and cultural performances.
Notably, the KBC celebration show 'Island Concert' aimed at supporting the bid for COP33 featured performances by Lee Chan-won, Park Seo-jin, Ahn Seong-hoon, and Jeong Seo-joo at the main stage in the evening. The audience gathered around the open stage before the concert began, continuing to draw visitors into the night.
Seo Young-cheol, who visited the expo with his family from Gwangju, said, "We explored the exhibition halls with the kids during the day and then enjoyed the concert in the evening, making for a fulfilling day. I heard there are more performances during the holiday, so we decided to stay an extra day."
The concert will be broadcast on KBC-TV at 10 a.m. on October 10.
Nighttime programs will continue throughout the holiday. On the evening of October 3, fireworks will be displayed over the waters off Yeosu, sponsored by the Minam Cruise, and can be viewed from the main venue.
On October 4, starting at 6 p.m., the 'Prime Concert' will take place at the open stage, hosted by Jang Min-ho, featuring performances by Sang-ri, Son Tae-jin, Park Ji-hyun, Kim Hee-jae, Park Hyun-ho, Song Min-jun, Kim Tae-yeon, Ryu Won-jeong, Park Ji-hoo, Bin Ye-seo, Jang Ha-on, Jeong Hye-rin, and Hong Ji-yoon.
On October 5 at 6:30 p.m., musical actress Choi Jung-won will present 'DIVA ON STAGE' for about an hour, hosted by actor Won Ki-jun, with singer and musical actress Luna from f(x) also performing.
After the holiday, the performance schedule will continue. On October 9, the Yeosu Jazz Festival will be held, and on October 10 at 6:30 p.m., a special performance titled 'THE BIG SHOW' featuring broadcaster Park Kyung-rim and musical actress Ivy will take place.
'THE BIG SHOW' will include talent donations from Park Kyung-rim and Ivy, with special appearances by musical actress Kim Kyung-sun and crossover tenor Ryu Hana.
Park Myung-seong, the expo's general director, stated, "The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo is a space where we share talents and foster community. I hope the participation of Park Kyung-rim and Ivy will help create an environment of sharing and coexistence at the expo."
The expo is also offering free admission benefits aimed at families.
Throughout October, children under 12 accompanied by an adult can enter for free, allowing two accompanying guests. Additionally, visitors aged 65 and older, as well as residents of Busan and Jeju, can enter for free until October 11.
Visitors celebrating their birthday on the day of their visit can bring one guest for free, and residents of inhabited islands across the country will also receive free admission during the expo period.
Kim Jong-ki, the organizing committee's secretary-general, remarked, "As the cool autumn breeze begins, visiting the Yeosu World Island Expo will allow you to experience the seasonal charm of the islands up close. I hope this holiday will be a time for families to create special autumn memories through various cultural performances and experience programs."
Meanwhile, the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, themed 'Islands, Connecting the Sea and the Future,' will run until November 4 at the main venue in Jinnmo District, Yeosu, as well as at the Yeosu World Expo site and the islands of Gaedo and Geumo. The expo will close for a day on October 6 for facility maintenance and will reopen to visitors on October 7.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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