[Report] "No Room to Step"... Wando Seaweed Expo Opens with a Spectacular Start

Wando Expo Dreams of the Transformation of Seaweed

The Opening Night Captivated by Trot Singer Jiheon Park

"It feels like the crowd doubled once the performance started." On the evening of May 2, a local resident who I met at the Wando Beach Park could only shake their head in amazement at the sea of people, leaving barely any space to step.

Even when the opening ceremony began at 7 p.m., the seats were still relatively open, but as the celebratory performance drew near, the venue became literally packed with fandom and tourists flocking from all over the country.

As the 2026 Pre Wando International Seaweed Expo's opening ceremony celebration performance approached, throngs of fandoms and tourists from all over the country gathered, creating an overwhelming sea of people. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

The "2026 Pre Wando International Seaweed Expo" kicked off with a spectacular opening, attracting a massive crowd from its very first day. At the heart of the event, it was not the large corporations, but Wando's "small yet strong enterprises" that took center stage as the true protagonists of the expo.

◆The 'Industry Promotion Hall' Proves Wando's Pride

Within the "Industry Promotion Hall," the focal point of the expo, the booths of local small and medium-sized enterprises drew the longest interest from visitors. While large corporations such as Ottogi and Pulmuone showcased their brand power, Wando-based companies competed with uniquely differentiated products that could only be experienced at this expo.

Among all the exhibitors, Daehan Moolsan particularly stood out. Their "Cleopatra Salt," "Organic Certified Kelp," and "Tinicorn Corn Snack" demonstrated the value of premium food ingredients, moving far beyond the realm of simply dried seaweed products.

Haecho and Micho, known as the mascots of the Seaweed Expo, warmed up the festive atmosphere joyfully while taking commemorative photos with children. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

Visitors who tasted the Tinicorn Corn Snack at the sampling counter remarked, "I never knew there was a snack made with corn, Wando seaweed, and rock salt produced in Wando," and proceeded to make purchases on the spot. This illustrates how Wando’s competitive edge in raw materials, combined with advanced processing technology, is carving out a place in the market.

The booth of Dalsweet, a local processed food company, was also a consistent hotspot throughout the expo. Their "Abalone Bread," which contains a whole baked abalone, captivated attendees with its savory aroma, drawing crowds from around the venue.

Enthralled by the uniqueness of the abalone bread, visitors were busy taking photos to upload on social networking services (SNS). The "Loquat Cider," made from Wando’s native loquat fruit, also attracted attention as a unique beverage with a refreshing taste, appealing to everyone from children to seniors.

The experience zone was also filled with programs that highlighted Wando’s distinctive character. Desserts such as strawberry rice cakes with kelp powder and Wando seaweed ice cream allowed visitors to experience the infinite potential of seaweed as a food ingredient with all five senses.

Sea fishing experiences were so popular that each session sold out quickly. Photo by Lee Jungyeong

In particular, the sea fishing experience using bamboo fishing rods proved so popular that each session was booked out early. Discount benefits at the Wando Marine Healing Center and major tourist attractions, offered to visitors who completed the expo’s stamp tour, helped spread the crowd across the entire region, suggesting a positive ripple effect for the local economy.

◆Concert Fever After the Opening Ceremony... Leading to Industrial Success

The excitement of this expo reached its peak during the concert hours. From 8 p.m., when a dazzling lineup including singer Jiheon Park, Hong Jin-young, N.Flying, and Woody took the stage, there was a marked change in the atmosphere.

Fandoms who traveled nationwide by chartered bus filled the audience with blue light sticks, and some visitors even climbed onto the bases of streetlights for a view of the stage, creating an unusual spectacle.

Trot singer Jihyun Park, along with Hong Jinyoung, N.Flying, Woody, and other dazzling performers, heated up the concert atmosphere. In particular, Jihyun Park's fan club made a large appearance, drawing attention. Photo by Jinkyung Lee

In particular, groups of middle-aged fans holding star-shaped light sticks engraved with Jiheon Park’s face filled the venue, and by the time the pre-show began, the main stage seating area was already packed.

With the expo’s successful opening, attention now turns to its industrial achievements. On May 5, Children’s Day, there will be a "226-meter Healing Gimbap Making" event, and from May 6, the International Seaweed Symposium and overseas buyer export consultations will officially begin.

This expo, held to widely promote the value and resilience of Wando’s locally cultivated resources, is expected to serve as a pivotal moment that will establish Wando as the global hub of the seaweed industry in the future.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.