Over 20,000 People Flock to See "Bukangi"… Unexpected "Attraction" Gains National Popularity

[Anchor]

Busan North Port Waterfront Park, where sharks were recently spotted, is emerging as a new tourist attraction. Over the past weekend, more than 20,000 people flocked to see the sharks, causing massive crowds around the North Port area.

KNN reporter Cho Jin-wook visited the scene that has established itself as Busan North Port's new attraction.

[Reporter]

The North Port shark proudly displays its sleek fin and leisurely disappears.

It circles the same spot as if putting on a fan service.

[Cho Sung-geun / Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province: The shark is much bigger than I thought, and it swims back and forth right near the people, almost like it's putting on a show.]

With news that a live shark can be seen here in the park rather than an aquarium, Busan is experiencing an unexpected "shark boom."

Drawing over 20,000 visitors during the weekend, it is gaining popularity nationwide.

The North Port shark is also a major star on social media.

It has become a trend for people to create characters and give it names.

Various stories are pouring out, ranging from a Busan Dome Arena modeled after the shark to shark-shaped bread.

[Song Seunghun / Creator of "Bukangi" (North Port Shark) Character: I made a dancing video of "Bukangi." I think it would be great if Busan becomes a hot topic again and generates tourism demand.]

The local government having jurisdiction is all smiles over the appearance of the filial shark.

They are planning to make it an official representative character of the district office, much like Boogie.

They are also preparing a tourism contest so that it can be remembered even after the shark leaves.

The connection in the narrative is particularly strong, as the waters off Busan are known as the home of Baby Shark, which is familiar to children.

[Kang Chul-ho / Head of Busan Dong-gu Office: The small connection with a single shark has made Busan Dong-gu's North Port known nationwide. Through a contest for the shark's name and character, we hope to leave good memories and experiences together with citizens.]

Meanwhile, rumors of baby shark sightings are circulating, but the National Institute of Fisheries Science stated that the possibility of giving birth is slim.

(Video by Jeon Jae-hyun / KNN, Footage provided by viewer Jung Woo-seok)

Cho Jin-wook, KNN
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.