"I Almost Fainted": Bikini Outfits at Haeundae Supermarkets Spark Controversy Among Residents

"I was with my mom and dad, and I almost fainted."

An online post recently went viral after a netizen claimed to have spotted a vacationer wearing a bikini at a large supermarket located about a 20-minute walk from Haeundae Beach in Busan.

This has sparked a heated debate online. Critics argue that "the Haeundae area is strictly a workplace and living space for some people," while others contend that "given it's a commercial district near a beach, it should be naturally accepted like overseas resort areas."

According to media reports on Wednesday, a post titled "Haeundae Bikini Controversy" recently appeared on an online community.

The post included claims that on July 27, a person was barred by staff from entering a cafe near Haeundae because of their attire, along with related comments and screenshots of social media reactions.

At the time, the cafe staff reportedly restricted entry inside the venue, telling the customer that they would serve their ordered drink outside due to their clothing.

The controversy grew further as the post also featured a map showing a roughly 22-minute walking route from Haeundae Beach to a nearby large supermarket, along with a comment stating that a vacationer in a bikini was witnessed at that store.

This comment drew reactions of surprise, such as "People wear swimsuits all the way to a large supermarket?", followed by critical replies containing slang and profanity.

When inquiring with the supermarket in question about the facts, it was confirmed that customers occasionally use the store wearing swimsuits.

A supermarket official said, "Looking around the store during the vacation season, you can commonly see about 2 to 3 customers a day in swimsuits," adding that they do not specifically restrict them.

Some netizens shared maps claiming they even saw people wandering around in swimsuits near Jangsan Station, a residential area further inland in Haeundae-gu, which is about a 33-minute walk away.

Beneath the post, critical comments poured in, such as "That is strictly a residential area, which is absurd" and "It is really startling when bare skin in a swimsuit abruptly enters my living space."

On the other side, some netizens argued it should be accepted naturally, stating, "Since Haeundae is a representative domestic tourist destination, people should endure it to some extent," and "It is a common sight in overseas resort destinations like Hawaii and LA."

While some netizens living in Haeundae even raised the need for crackdowns, the general consensus is that simple swimwear covering major body parts cannot be definitively classified as illegal public exposure or a misdemeanor.

Consequently, critics point out that rather than legal punishment, there is a need for minimal etiquette suited to the location, social consensus, and specific guidelines at the local government level.

Major European resort areas apply strict standards regarding excessive exposure outside of beaches.

According to French media outlets such as Le Figaro, major resort spots like Ajaccio, the capital of the island of Corsica, have banned going shirtless or wandering the streets in swimwear, installing signs at beach entrances that read "Proper attire required" (Tenue correcte exigée).

Sorrento in Italy has also banned going shirtless or walking in bikinis outside designated areas since July 2022, imposing fines of up to 500 euros (approx. 800,000 won) for violators.

Domestic experts likewise advised that administrative guidance and voluntary controls centered around local governments and commercial districts are realistic alternatives.

Kwak Joon-ho, managing partner at Law Firm Chung, suggested, "Voluntary controls by businesses or administrative guidance by local governments should come first," adding, "Since this is an issue limited to certain areas like Haeundae, installing guide signs at the entrances of supermarkets or cafes could resolve a significant portion of it."

Nam Ki-bum, a professor of urban sociology at the University of Seoul, emphasized, "The core of the problem is not the clothing, but the spatial and structural issue where residential areas are adjacent to the beach," noting that "the Busan city government needs to present minimal zoning standards through sign installations and guidance so that vacationers know how far they can travel in swimwear."

In response, an official from the Haeundae-gu Office Tourism Facilities Division stated, "Currently, there are no separate standards or enforcement authority to restrict moving around in swimwear," adding, "If related complaints continue to be filed, we will review the matter depending on the situation."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.