The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo attracted over 132,000 visitors on October 4, setting a new daily attendance record since its opening.
According to the organizing committee on October 5, approximately 132,000 people visited the expo on October 4, nearly double the previous record of over 67,000 set on September 25.
The expo grounds in the Dolsan Jinmo area were bustling even before opening, as holiday visitors combined with concertgoers. The evening's 'Prime Concert' extended visitors' stay, transitioning from daytime exhibitions and experiences to nighttime performances.
Concertgoers lined up at the entrance from early morning, and after the opening, the waiting line wrapped around the theme island. Tickets for the 4,000-seat concert venue sold out quickly.
Those who received tickets utilized the time before the concert to explore exhibition halls and experience facilities on the theme island and marine ecology island. By the afternoon, the grassy areas and tiered seating around the concert venue were filled with attendees.
The Prime Concert, which began at 6 p.m., was hosted by singer Jang Min-ho and featured performances by Seongri, 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, lasting about four hours.
Lee Jin-hee, a visitor from Daejeon, said, “I waited for hours to get a ticket, but this is my first time seeing such a large concert in front of the sunset over the sea. I explored the exhibition halls during the day, and the variety of experiences made the wait enjoyable.”
Visitors outside the seating area also enjoyed the concert via the media facade.
For those who could not obtain tickets, a unique viewing space was created.
The organizing committee broadcast the live performance of the Prime Concert through a 360-degree media facade on the 20-meter-high theme island. Attendees who could not enter the seating area gathered in the plaza and grassy areas to watch the concert.
As the concert scenes were displayed in real-time on the large media facade, the area around the theme island effectively became another outdoor seating area.
Shin Ji-a, a visitor, remarked, “At first, I was disappointed not to get a ticket, but being able to watch the concert on the media facade made it feel like this was another seating area. The cheers and applause from the concert venue, combined with the darkening sea and the lights of the expo, created a memorable performance.”
The performers of the Prime Concert also contributed to promoting the expo. Bin Ye-seo and Seongri toured the exhibition halls and experience facilities before the concert, taking photos against the sunset backdrop in the island theme zone and participating in the 'Wish Boat' experience.
The concert continued with performances by Choi Jeong-won, Park Kyung-rim, and Ivy.
On the last day of the holiday, October 5, 'Musical Star Choi Jeong-won's DIVA ON STAGE' will take place at the open stage at 6:30 p.m.
Musical actor Choi Jeong-won will perform her signature numbers against the backdrop of the Yeosu night sea, with actor Won Gi-jun hosting and singer Luna joining her on stage. No separate reservation is required for expo attendees.
On October 10, 'THE BIG SHOW' featuring broadcaster Park Kyung-rim and musical actor Ivy is scheduled, with special appearances by musical actor Kim Kyung-sun and crossover tenor Ryu Hana.
Following the holiday, the expo will undergo a content revamp. It will close for one day on October 6 and reopen on October 7.
The international exchange island will feature content from 17 countries and local governments, including Hawaii, Cuba, Zanzibar, Kochi, and Palau. A new program titled 'How About This Island?' will also be introduced.
Nighttime viewing conditions will be enhanced with additional landscape lighting in areas like the island gate and grassy plaza, and heating facilities will be prepared for the cooler evening weather.
Previously, the organizing committee operated an 'Event Island' with photo booths and claw machines around the Chuseok holiday and added guides to the exhibition halls on the theme island, marine ecology island, cultural island, and future island. They also improved signage and floor markings for exhibition guidance.
Kim Jong-ki, the committee's secretary-general, stated, “Having over 132,000 visitors in a single day is a significant record. We will continue to present new and rich content as we move into the latter half of the event to keep visitors coming until the last day.”
Meanwhile, the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, themed 'Islands, Connecting the Sea and the Future,' will run until November 4 at the Dolsan Jinmo area, Yeosu World Expo site, and nearby Gaedo and Geumo Islands. The expo site will close for one day on October 6 for maintenance before resuming its second half on October 7.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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