Cruise Ship Arrival and Idol Concert Draw Weekend Crowds Across South Korea
Creatrip Team
a month ago
Tourists and locals filled popular destinations across South Korea on the weekend despite early summer heat. In Gangwon, nearly 18,821 visitors explored the province’s four national parks by mid-afternoon, with Seoraksan (설악산) and Odaesan (오대산) recording the highest entries. Other regional attractions—like Salt Mountain Grand Valley (소금산그랜드밸리), a theme facility in Yeongwol, and fully booked pensions in Gangneung—also saw heavy demand. In North Chungcheong, family outings to Sangsang Fortress (상당산성), eco-parks, and the presidential villa Cheongnamdae (청남대) brought thousands; Sobaeksan and Wolaksan national parks logged several thousand hikers. In South Chungcheong, the international cruise ship VISIO (10,02784 tons, capacity ~3,470) made the region’s first cruise stopover in the Chungcheong area, bringing about 1,620 mainly Chinese passengers who visited local sites such as Haemi Fortress (해미읍성) and Dongbu Traditional Market. Busan drew large crowds for the 10th Busan One Asia Festival (BOF), Asia’s major hybrid music festival; fans queued for the “Big Concert” and enjoyed interactive booths showcasing K-pop, cosmetics, and local food like K-chicken skewers. Visitors noted enjoying both performances by idol groups and cultural/retail experiences at festival booths.
