things to do

BUSAN, South Korea -- Busan City's 2012 Marine Sports Academy is up and running at 10 different venues, including the beaches of Nakdong River (Eulsukdo), Yeongdo (Korea Maritime University), Dadaepo and Haeundae, from April through October for seven months. Courses are open to anyone who would like to enjoy learning about any of 10 different sports, including dinghy sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking and rowing, from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. daily (except Mondays).

The Marine Sports Academy, under the slogan "Let’s Enjoy Marine Sports", is aiming to open up the enjoyment of marine sports all year round to citizens of all ages.

BUSAN, South Korea - Busan Global Center is accepting applications for its '2nd Global Culture Class' from May 14~17. This is a good chance to learn about and experience global cultures and languages directly from citizens of those countries. Classes are held once a week.

Any Busan citizen can apply for the class by paying a refundable deposit of just 10,000won, which will be returned to those whose attendance is over 80%. The list of selected participants will be announced on the BFIA website on May 18. Classes will run from May 21~July 28. For the first time this year, there will be Korean classes for foreigners, and the application process is the same as for the other classes. More details on applying can be found on the BFIA website (www.bifa.or.kr).

(Reference) 051-668-7906

Source: Busan Life Magazine

BUSAN, South Korea -- The first weekend in May brings tons of events around the city, as Cinco de Mayo fever hits town. It is also Children's Day in Korea this weekend, one of the bigger holidays every year, so plan for a lot of traffic as many families will be out celebrating because of a promising the forecast.

There's plenty of stuff to do this weekend, so check out the Haps Calendar to find out everything you need to know and where to go to make the most of your weekend. Here's a few events that caught our eye, though it's by no means all that's going on.

BUSAN, South Korea - Busan Cultural Foundation is having folk play performances and Korean traditional song performances every Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. at Yongdusan Park from this month. The Busan Folklore Conservation Association is also having a “Sunday Traditional Folk Play Hanmadang” at the Busan Folk Art Center Norimadang within Geumgang Park in Dongnae District every fourth Sunday from March to November.

From this month until October, a traditional cultural art performance program showing the charms of Busan citizens will be staged regularly on the outdoor stage in front of the entrance to Yongdusan Park Tower every Saturday from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. One or two teams will perform Norimadang a total of 30 times, providing entertainment for both local and foreign tourists.

BUSAN, South Korea - The BEXCO (Busan Exhibition and Convention Center) has introduced the yacht as a part of their yacht convention business project, offering customers the opportunity to hold small-scale business meetings, special events and academic forums on the yacht. This is the only customized convention facility of this kind in Korea.

The 52 ft catamaran with a seating capacity of 29 was introduced specifically for yacht conventions. Conference equipment - including a projector, projection screen and small conference room are provided on the yacht.

The yacht is named “Yacht B”, following a public naming contest. The letter “B” implies words which come to mind when one thinks of Busan such as Busan, BEXCO, Blue, Beautiful, and Business. 

BUSAN, South Korea - Busan City announced two slow city attractions - Bosu-dong Bookstore Alley and Galmaetgil Trail #2 (from the Moontan Road to Oryukdo Cruise Dock) - on March 29, 2012.

Busan City became a member of the “Supporters of Cittaslow” in 2009 and the City has now designated two slow city attractions to promote the slow city movement and to enhance citizens' quality of life. 

The first Slow City attraction, Bosu-dong Bookstore Alley, which is the only used bookstore alley in the country, not only has used books for sale but also a variety of cultural events and convenient facilities. Nearby tourist attractions including Jagalchi Fish Market, Gukje Market and Yongdusan Park are another reason to visit here.  

BUSAN, South Korea - Haeundae District is pleased to invite you to take sand sculpture classes, which are held every year on Haeundae Beach. The spring season classes begin on April 1.

○ Period: April 1 ~ May 20, 2012. Every Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. 

○ Venue: Haeundae Beach (in front of the Tourist Information Center)

○ Hosted by: Lifelong Learning Group Association in Haeundae District. Supported by: Haeundae-gu District, Busan Aquarium, Haeundae Tourist Pleasure Cruise

- Registration

- Please register at least four days before the class you wish to attend.

- Tel: 749-7611, Fax: 749-7619, email to pyj1234@korea.kr or visit Haeundae Tourism Facilities Management Center

- Admission: 10,000 won per family or team

* All sand sculpting equipment will be provided to participants on the day of the event.