KOREA
People lined up at the stage of Busan International Magic Festival.

Busan International Magic Festival (Photo by City of Busan/courtesy of haps Magazine Korea)

The Busan International Magic Festival will return to the Busan Cinema Center from June 26 to 28, bringing together world-class magicians, rising performers and street artists for three days of magic-themed entertainment.

Now in its 21st year, the festival’s “Magic Convention” serves as one of Asia’s leading gatherings for the magic community, featuring gala performances, international competitions, lectures and interactive experiences for both enthusiasts and the general public.

One of the highlights will be the Magic Gala Show, which opens the convention with performances by eight professional magicians from Korea, France, Taiwan and Malaysia.

Popular creator Nicky will host the event, while Jang Hae-seok, known for his appearance on SBS television program The Magic Star, is expected to draw particular attention from audiences.

The festival’s centerpiece, the International Magic Competition, will showcase emerging talent from around the world. A total of 23 magicians from Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Indonesia have advanced to the finals, where they will compete under judging standards approved by the International Federation of Magic Societies (FISM).

The competition also serves as the final opportunity for performers to qualify for next year’s Asian Magic Championship.

The event will conclude with the Winner Show, featuring championship performances from competition winners and Busking Championship champions.

Among the performers will be Yang Jae-hyuk, winner of last year’s stage competition, along with other rising stars in the global magic scene.

Visitors can also enjoy hands-on activities, dealer booths, close-up magic demonstrations and special event zones throughout the convention.

Outside the main venue, the 8th Busking Championship will take place on Haeundae’s Gunam-ro from June 26 to 27. Ten teams from four countries will compete in a variety of street performance disciplines, offering free entertainment for residents and tourists.

Tickets for festival performances are available through YES24, Naver, Interpark Ticket and Discovery of Play.

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