"It's a Shark!" Over 20,000 Visitors Flock to Busan's North Port, Turning It Into a Hot Spot

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Tourists are flocking to Busan's North Port, where a shark measuring over 3 meters in length has been spotted. Over the past weekend, more than 20,000 people gathered to catch a glimpse of the shark.

Cho Jin-wook from KNN.

[Reporter]

The North Port shark displays its sleek fin before leisurely swimming away.

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. It swims back and forth right near the people, almost like it's putting on a show.]

With news spreading that a live shark can be seen at a park rather than an aquarium, Busan is experiencing an unexpected shark boom.

Drawing over 20,000 visitors over the weekend, it has gained nationwide popularity.

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

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

Various stories are pouring out, including a Busan Dome Arena modeled after the shark and even shark-shaped bread.

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

The local government is all smiles at the appearance of the filial shark.

Riding the momentum, they plan to turn it into a representative district character, much like Boogi.

The connection is also great, as the waters off Busan are known as the birthplace of Baby Shark, which is familiar to children.

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

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

(Video Shooting: 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.