A Single Shark Stirred Bukhang as 400,000 Visitors Gathered... But Busan's Beaches Remain on Edge

Bukhang Welcomed 405,800 Visitors in Eight Days,
Up from Just 2,000 a Day

320,000 Flocked During the Three Days of Chuseok,
Crowds Gathered Even on Rainy Days

Shark Becomes a Tourist Attraction,
But Poses Concerns for Beach Season in Busan

"They say it'll be sent back after Chuseok, but I hope it stays longer." "What if it shows up at a beach in summer...?"

On the morning of September 27, 2026, at Bukhang Waterfront Park in Dong-gu, Busan, a shark appeared, its fin slicing through the artificial canal. As it swam, the people gathered by the water reacted with gasps of amazement. Even after the rain, citizens carrying umbrellas did not leave the canal area.

The shark, which entered the artificial canal at Bukhang Waterfront Park on September 18, became an unexpected attraction during the Chuseok holiday in Busan. Locals named it "Bukang-i," after "Bukhang." From tourists pulling their suitcases from Busan Station to families, people flocked to Bukhang Waterfront Park, making the area bustling day after day.

A shark appeared at Bukhang Waterfront Park.

The number of visitors shows this phenomenon. According to the Busan Facilities Corporation, an average of about 2,000 visitors come to Bukhang Waterfront Park each day. However, in the eight days since the shark appeared, the cumulative number of visitors reached 405,800—about 25 times the usual volume.

The crowds surged even more during the Chuseok holiday. On September 24, 101,000 people visited, and on the 25th, 136,000 people came to Bukhang. On the 26th, as of 6 p.m., there were 83,000 visitors. During just the Chuseok holiday period, a total of 320,000 people visited.

The rain did not deter the crowds. On the rainy morning of September 26, citizens waited around the artificial canal, hoping to see the shark appear. As the rain stopped in the afternoon, even more people gathered, creating congestion around the Bukhang parking lot as well.

The shark's presence also affected nearby businesses. Convenience stores and cafes around the waterfront park saw a sudden boom, as visitors headed to the area hoping to catch a glimpse of the shark.

Visitors who came to see the food trucks at Bukhang Waterfront Park.

However, Busan City’s concerns go beyond crowd control. Busan is a major tourist city famous for its beaches, such as Haeundae, Gwangalli, Songjeong, and Dadaepo. With summer beach vacations and marine leisure activities forming a major pillar of Busan tourism, there are concerns that the spreading image of a "giant shark appearing in the Busan sea" could negatively impact beach tourism.

In reality, there is no evidence that the shark currently staying at Bukhang has moved to any beaches, or has attacked anyone near the Busan coastline. There is also no direct link yet between the shark’s appearance in the artificial canal and the safety of the beaches.

Nevertheless, footage of the shark is spreading rapidly through social media and the press, raising the possibility of vague anxiety about the entire Busan coastline. While it may be a spectacle at Bukhang, from the perspective of Busan’s overall tourism, it’s not something that can be welcomed without reservation.

During the Chuseok holiday, Busan City operated a comprehensive situation room and joined with Busan Facilities Corporation, Dong-gu District Office, police, fire, and marine police to manage on-site safety. About 150 personnel per day were deployed to manage key areas, such as the 4th and 5th pedestrian bridges and the waterfront, restricting access or dispersing visitors when crowds grew too large.

At night, access along the canal is also restricted. In case of parking congestion, visitors are guided to use the parking lot at the Busan Port International Passenger Terminal when the Bukhang Waterfront Park parking lot fills up.

How to return the shark to the sea remains an unresolved issue.

Busan City plans to observe whether the shark leaves the artificial canal on its own and returns to the ocean. If it remains after the holiday, they will discuss rescue measures with relevant agencies.

On September 28, a countermeasure meeting will be held, bringing together Busan City, Dong-gu, Busan Facilities Corporation, the marine police, Busan Port Authority, the National Institute of Fisheries Science, the Dongbu Police Station, and the Port Fire Station. The group will review the shark’s movements and condition, and discuss how to safely return it to the sea, including the personnel and equipment needed.

In less than ten days since the shark appeared at Bukhang, hundreds of thousands of people flocked to see it. While some want to see "Bukang-i" stay longer, others emphasize the need to prioritize safety.

The shark has become an unexpected tourist sensation at Bukhang. Yet, from a broader perspective across Busan, the story is different.

Since the sea is a key tourism resource in Busan, experts stress that accurate information and robust safety measures must be provided together, so that the shark’s appearance does not simply remain an attraction but does not fuel concerns about beach vacations and marine tourism, either.

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