"There’s nothing to see," and "Is this all for 70 billion won?"
Since its opening on September 5, the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo has faced significant criticism. Some broadcasts, YouTube channels, and social media highlighted the lack of content at the main venue and the unpreparedness of the sub-venues, leading to perceptions that the expo was a failure.
However, on the ninth day of the event, which coincided with its second weekend on September 13, the atmosphere at the Yeosu World Island Expo was noticeably different from what had been portrayed online.
Families, couples, and tourists filled the venue, while volunteers and staff were busy assisting visitors with navigation and exhibition access. While it may be premature to declare that initial concerns have been completely alleviated, the efforts of the organizing committee, staff, and volunteers to revitalize the expo were evident on that day.
This shift is also reflected in recent media reports. On September 13, the expo featured a cooking show by renowned chef Ahn Yoo-sung, traditional performances from West Africa, random play dance events, and a creative dance performance by the Yeosu City Dance Company. The previous day, a weekly concert attracted families and couples to the venue.
Initially, the expo faced challenges.
It is themed "Connecting Islands, Seas, and the Future" and runs from September 5 to November 4, spanning 61 days. The main venue is located in the Dolsan Jinmo area, connecting the sub-venues of Gaedo, Geumo, and the Yeosu World Expo site, with participation from 30 countries and a goal of attracting 3 million visitors. The official size of the venue is 184,302 square meters.
However, during the first three days of the expo, the cumulative visitor count was only 41,446. The opening day saw 25,417 visitors, followed by 10,251 on the 6th and 5,778 on the 7th. To meet the goal of 3 million visitors, an average of about 49,000 visitors per day is needed, indicating that the initial performance fell short of expectations.
Evaluations of the exhibition content have been mixed.
JTBC reported that visitor reactions indicated the experiential content at the theme and future islands did not meet expectations, highlighting issues with the sub-venues and the Dongdong Port vessel. Concerns were particularly raised about the lack of preparation for experiences involving future transportation and the Gaedo camping site.
Thus, it is difficult to dismiss the initial criticism as mere "denigration."
Following the criticism, the organizing committee took action, expanding performances and interactive programs based on visitor feedback. Weekly concerts are now held every Friday and Saturday, along with busking, cultural performances, and participation events utilizing the media facade of the theme island, as well as outdoor movie programs.
The changes felt on-site on September 13 appear to be linked to these enhancements.
The central theme island showcases the birth, life, coexistence, and future of islands through a 360-degree LED media facade. The marine ecological island features junk art marine life, underwater spaces, and a digital aquarium, while the future island presents future transportation and energy solutions, including UAM and hydrogen vessels.
The cultural island highlights the lifestyles, history, and culture of domestic and international islands, while the international exchange island connects people and islands worldwide. The treasure island offers children interactive experiences with slides, ball pits, suspension bridges, and AR activities.
The content introduced in the expo's informational materials aligns well with the actual official programs. The organizing committee's official website lists experiences such as moss garden making, drawing and mirror crafting, keychain making, upcycling, as well as camping, graffiti, island spot tours, and healing programs at Gaedo.
Ultimately, what drives the expo is the people.
What stood out on that day was not just the massive facilities but the people involved. Staff and volunteers guiding visitors and those preparing performances were present throughout the venue. The success of a global expo cannot be judged solely by the scale of its facilities and budget.
While there were shortcomings at the start, it is the role of the media and visitors to point them out. However, it is equally important to document how the scene evolves in response to that feedback.
The Yeosu World Island Expo is now on its ninth day.
There are still over 50 days remaining.
It is too early to declare failure based solely on the numbers from the first three days, and it is also premature to proclaim success based on the vibrancy of the second weekend.
However, one thing was clear on September 13: the portrayal of a "deserted expo" in online videos does not fully capture the evolving reality of the Yeosu World Island Expo.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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