Nearly 190,000 visitors brave rain at Yeosu Island Expo during Chuseok holiday

Family visitors turned out in force over the Chuseok holiday weekend, with new interactive attractions drawing positive reviews.

The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo drew nearly 190,000 visitors over the Chuseok holiday weekend as the event entered its fourth week.

According to the expo's organizing committee, attendance over the four-day holiday reached 189,106 — with 24,353 visitors on Thursday, 67,491 on Friday (Chuseok), 59,797 on Saturday and 37,465 on Sunday.

Despite rain on Saturday and Sunday, 97,262 people visited the main venue at the Jinmo district on Dolsando, giving organizers a boost after a slow start in the event's opening weeks.

Family groups and organized tours from nearby communities flocked to the expo throughout the holiday. Free admission for three-generation families and visitors in hanbok, along with complimentary entry for guardians accompanying children under 12, drew large family groups through the gates.

Newly introduced attractions also appeared to drive attendance, with an AI docent service, a drone-piloting experience, traditional string and magnet games, and a treasure hunt activity all drawing strong interest from tourists.

The holiday weekend peaked Saturday evening with a K-pop concert on the main outdoor stage at 7 p.m., showcasing live performances for expo visitors.

As dusk fell, visitors who had spent the day touring exhibition halls made their way to the concert stage, filling the lawn and tiered seating well before showtime. Girl group QWER, Onewe and Cherry Filter performed for 90 minutes against the backdrop of the Yeosu night sea, sending the festival atmosphere into high gear.

"I was worried because it had been raining since morning, but I was amazed by how many people came out for the concert," said visitor Yoo Gyeong-a. "The band performances were so energetic, and it was great to see singers I love perform live here in Yeosu."

Park Eun-bi, who came from Busan, said the day was packed from start to finish. "The kids spent forever at every pavilion flying drones, and the grandparents were busy with the treasure hunt," she said. "We had a delicious Yeosu lunch at the restaurant island, then capped it off with the evening concert — the day was completely full. Getting in free as three generations together was a real bonus."

Kim Jong-gi, secretary-general of the organizing committee, said the momentum would carry into October. "With National Foundation Day and Hangul Day holidays coming up, and trot champion and jazz festival events lined up, we plan to keep the visitor numbers growing," he said.

The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, held across the Jinmo district in Dolsando and the World Expo site, runs through Nov. 4.