On Chuseok, September 25, 2026, the Yeosu World Island Expo welcomed 67,000 visitors, marking the highest daily attendance since its opening.
The organizing committee reported on September 26 that the influx of returning holiday travelers and families contributed to the record turnout on that day.
Since September 24, the expo has expanded its experiential content across exhibition halls, including the theme island, future island, and marine ecological island, and added interactive events. Special entry benefits for families visiting during the Chuseok holiday also played a role in increasing attendance.
A notable change is the shift from passive viewing to active participation in the programs.
At the theme island, the expo mascot, 'Dasami,' serves as an AI guide, answering visitors' questions and explaining the exhibits. The future island features an OX quiz and a 'drone pilot experience' where attendees can operate real drones.
Family participation continued with activities like thread play and magnet games at the marine ecological island. Outside the exhibition halls, attractions such as the 'Dasami Train,' which carries children around the venue, along with performances by clowns, mimes, and buskers, welcomed visitors.
The 'Treasure Hunt,' a program that combines exploration and exhibition viewing by finding hidden designated exhibits in four exhibition halls, is also ongoing.
Visitor reactions have been positive.
Lee Han-bin, who visited Yeosu for the holiday, said, “I was a bit worried after reading some negative reviews before coming, but there was much more to see than I expected. The events happening everywhere were fun, and I could take my time exploring.”
Do Gap-joo, who participated in the thread play with his family, remarked, “There were so many experiences we could do together as a family that I lost track of time.”
Ryu Dong-joo, a student who piloted a drone at the future island, expressed, “It was very rewarding to actually control a drone, and I plan to come back during a school field trip.”
Experiences that began during the day continued into the night. The 'Wish Boat Launching with Dasami,' held in the island-themed zone, expanded its scale for the Chuseok holiday, but the supplies ran out early due to high participation, according to the organizing committee.
As the holiday weekend comes to a close on September 26, the excitement continues with performances.
A K-POP concert featuring QWER, ONEWE, and Cherry Filter is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the main stage. The official event schedule for the expo also includes a K-POP concert at 7 p.m. on the same day, with the organizing committee distributing entry tickets on a first-come, first-served basis to ensure visitor safety.
To maintain the increased visitor turnout throughout the remaining duration of the expo, the organizing committee plans to continuously enhance exhibitions and experiential content based on on-site feedback.
Kim Jong-ki, the committee's secretary-general, stated, “Ahead of the Chuseok holiday, we significantly bolstered content that allows visitors to participate and experience, and we are receiving positive responses, especially from family visitors. We will continue to listen to visitor feedback and create a more enriching expo experience for the remaining period.”
Meanwhile, the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, themed 'Connecting Islands, Seas, and the Future,' will run until November 4 at the main venue in Jinnmoji, Dolsan, Yeosu, as well as on Geodo, Geumo Island, and the Yeosu World Expo site. The main venue will close for a day on October 6 for facility and equipment checks, resuming normal operations on October 7.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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