“3.5-Meter Shark Becomes a Celebrity”… Busan’s PR Ambassador ‘Bukangyi’ Draws International Attention

The Guardian, AP Highlight “Unexpected Celebrity”

Taiwanese Media Spotlight the Nickname ‘Xiaobeigang’

City to Resume Rescue Operation on the 2nd With Barrier Net

As more than 600,000 people flocked within ten days to see the shark ‘Bukangyi’ residing at Busan’s Bukhang Waterfront Park, overseas media have also begun paying close attention to this phenomenon.

On the morning of the 27th of last month, citizens were watching the shark named 'Bukangi' swimming in the waterway at the North Port Waterfront Park in Dong-gu, Busan. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On September 29 (local time), international outlets such as The Guardian reported that “Bukangyi has become an unexpected celebrity,” simultaneously covering the ongoing rescue efforts and the crowds. Bukangyi was first spotted on September 18 in the park’s waterway. It is a tawny nurse shark measuring 3.5 meters long and is believed to have entered from the sea while chasing prey, only to become trapped. According to Busan Facilities Corporation, the park attracted 616,800 visitors over the ten days from September 19 to 28. Normally, the park receives about 2,000 visitors on a weekend day. During the Chuseok holiday period from the 24th to the 27th, more than 100,000 people came per day, with a total of 483,000 visits over the holiday alone.

“The crowds brought an unexpected economic boom”… The nickname ‘Xiaobeigang’ appears as well

Many citizens gathered at Bukhang Waterfront Park in Dong-gu, Busan on the 29th of last month to see the shark 'Bukangi' that had been in the canal for 12 days. Photo by Yonhap News

The Guardian quoted the remarks of Kim Jeongsuk (age 62), a visitor to the park, as reported by local Korean media. Kim said, “I came once during the holidays and found it amazing, so I came out early this morning to say goodbye after hearing the shark would return to the sea. Having seen it for several days, I feel somewhat attached and can't help but feel sad.” AFP called Bukangyi a “3.5-meter-long visitor” and reported that “the crowds brought an unexpected economic boom to the local area.” In reality, sales of shark-shaped ice cream bars at nearby convenience stores soared by 30%, and shares of The Pinkfong Company, known for the song “Baby Shark,” jumped more than 7% at one point.

AP reported that on September 29, the authorities deployed five ships to try to herd Bukangyi out to open waters. However, the shark evaded them, either by passing by the vessels or submerging, leaving officials to give up on the operation after several hours. The scene was livestreamed on YouTube as a crowd looked on. A Busan city official told AP, “There is no clear sign that the shark’s health has worsened, but it is important to release it back to the sea,” adding, “We are adjusting our response to fit the local situation.”

Taiwan’s public broadcaster PTS called Bukangyi “Xiaobeigang” (meaning ‘Little Bukhang’) and reported that “due to the crowds coinciding with the holiday, the waterfront promenade and bridges were packed with people.” Taiwanese outlet China Times noted, “Bukangyi brought an unexpected gift of 600,000 tourists to the city.” Now News reported that a meme coin named after Bukangyi appeared, with a market capitalization reaching 1.7 billion won, while experts warned the public to be cautious with investments.

“Increase in large sharks in the East Sea”… Concerns about Bukangyi’s health raised

The UK’s Independent introduced an analysis by the National Institute of Fisheries Science, which identified rising sea temperatures and a larger supply of prey as reasons for the increasing number of large sharks in the East Sea. The Institute counted 46 large sharks in the East Sea in the first half of this year—about four times the number from the same period last year. Malaysia’s The Star gave weight to experts’ opinions that “it is harmful to leave wildlife confined for too long in narrow and shallow artificial waterways, making human intervention essential.”

Meanwhile, on September 29, the City of Busan designated Bukangyi as an honorary PR ambassador, following an official Instagram poll in which around 8,000 people participated, with 91% in favor. Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo commented, “Bukangyi has naturally become a new part of the Busan story, thanks to the public’s attention and affection.” Authorities including the City of Busan and the National Institute of Fisheries Science will resume rescue operations on October 2, once a barrier net designed in line with the waterway’s width and depth is completed. After blocking the way back into the waterway with the net, they will use a water pump to encourage Bukangyi to move toward the open sea.

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