'Bye, Bukang!' — rescue crews blast water jets to coax shark out, but it swims back in

Two coast guard vessels repeatedly fired jets of water across the surface of the artificial waterway at Bukhang Waterfront Park in Dong-gu, Busan, on Tuesday morning.

According to the Busan Coast Guard and the National Institute of Fisheries Science, the operation marked the start of efforts to guide Bukang — a broadnose sevengill shark that has been living in the waterway for 12 days — back out to open sea.

Busan's official YouTube channel, Busan Tube, livestreamed the entire operation using drones and other equipment.

The city said it was sharing the send-off live "with the citizens who have watched over Bukang, our special guest who has received so much love," and asked the public to "watch warmly from a little distance so that Bukang, who has given us such a special moment, can make it safely home."

The waterfront park was again packed with residents who had come to catch a glimpse of Bukang.

The two coast guard vessels entered the waterway and used water pumps to push Bukang toward the exit.

But the effort proved insufficient. Around 11:50 a.m., Bukang slipped past the vessels and turned back inside.

Spectators gathered along the waterfront gasped and cheered as the shark reappeared beneath the surface, smartphones raised high in the air.

Online commenters flooded the livestream with reactions: "Respect Bukang's wishes too," "Stay healthy, Bukang," "The National Fire Agency and coast guard are working hard," "Seems like it's just raising Bukang's stress levels," "Looks like they're just pretending to let it out," and "Betting it won't leave."

If Bukang still refuses to leave, authorities plan to use nets to guide it out to sea on Oct. 2.

Bukang is a roughly 3.5-meter shark first spotted in the artificial waterway at the waterfront park on Sept. 18 and is believed to be a broadnose sevengill shark.

The rare sight of a large shark up close drew crowds almost overnight, turning the park into a nationally known destination.

Cumulative visitors to the park surpassed 600,000 through Monday since Bukang was first discovered, with 480,000 of those arriving during the Chuseok holiday alone.

The city of Busan said it would designate Bukang as an honorary goodwill ambassador. At the ceremony, Bugi — the city's official mascot — will receive the appointment certificate on Bukang's behalf, adding a lighthearted touch to the occasion.