Travel
What’s on in Busan: August 25 – 31
Haps Magazine Korea
August 24, 2025
Main image of What’s On in Busan (Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)
Here is what’s going on around the city this week.
NEW: Check out our new video of What’s On In Busan each Monday, which gives you a 90-second update of the top stories and events going on each week in Busan, as well as on Friday with our What’s On In Busan This Weekend each week. Please consider subscribing to our YouTube channel so you can keep up-to-date on what’s happening around the city.
YouTube: What’s on in Busan: August 25 - August 31
EVENTS HAPPENING
MUSIC
Busan Immersed in Jazz @ Domoheon — Busan’s only outdoor jazz concert highlighting live music and storytelling by leading Korean and international musicians. Domoheon, Suyeong-gu, Saturday, 5 p.m.
Awesome Stage in Busan @ BEXCO Auditorium — Kwon Jin-ah performs a Saturday evening concert. BEXCO Auditorium, Centum City, Saturday, 6 p.m.
Bernard Werber X Sejong Soloists @ Busan Concert Hall — Enjoy a colloberation concert under the theme “The Age of Chimera”. Busan Concert Hall, Busanjin-gu, Saturday, 5 p.m.
Hayato Sumino @ Busan Concert Hall — Japanese pianist Hayato Sumino perforrms a Sunday afternoon concert. Busan Concert Hall, Busanjin-gu, Sunday, 2 p.m.
Open Mic @ Basement — Head on out to hear some live local talent in PNU. Basement, PNU, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Open Mic @ Ol’55 — Open mic returns to Ol’55 each Wednesday evening. Ol’55, KSU, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
OTHER STUFF
Yeongnam Dance Festival @ Busan National Gugak Center — 15 performances are scheduled through September 13. Busan National Gugak Center, Busanjin-gu, Through September 13
World Climate Industry Expo @ BEXCO — Climate experts from around the world converge at BEXCO. BEXCO, Centum City, Wednesday through Friday
ENTECH @ BEXCO — Korea’s largest professional expo on the environment and energy, will be held at BEXCO for three days. BEXCO, Centum City, Wednesday through Friday
MAD STARS @ Signiel Hotel — The largest advertising expo brings together the worlds of marketing, advertising, and digital content, emphasizing the intersection of creativity and cutting-edge technology. Signiel Hotel, Haeundae, Wednesday through Friday
Busan International Comedy Festival @ BEXCO Auditorium and around Busan — 10 days of laughs from comedians from Korea and abroad. BEXCO Auditorium and around Busan, August 29 through September 7
Blue Planet Film Festival @ Busan Cinema Center — Dedicated to showcasing environmental films and documentaries, the festival aims to raise awareness of global environmental crises while fostering dialogue on potential solutions. Busan Cinema Center, Centum City, Monday
Busan International Streaming Film Festival @ Busan Cinema Center — Check out the latest in series and the OTT industry . Busan Cinema Center, Centum City, Monday
Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dreams Music Show @ Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dreams — The fountain show is back for another year of excitement. Daily except for Monday, Dadaepo, 8 p.m.
Free Outdoor Theater @ Busan Cinema Center — The free outdoor theater season returns for another year on select Tuesdays. Busan Cinema Center, Centum City, Tuesday 8 p.m.
Gwangalli M Drone Light Show @ Gwangalli Beach — This week’s drone show returns to its regular schedule. Gwangalli Beach, Saturday, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Trivia @ HQ — The weekly trivia night changes back to Wednesday nights. HQ Bar, Gwangalli, Wednesday, 9 p.m.
Gorilla Running Club @ Gorilla Beach — Runners depart together from Gorilla’s new Haeundae location towards Gwangalli. Gorilla Beach, Haeundae, Monday
Aladdin @ Busan Dream Theatre — As the first Korean staging of Aladdin, the production is expected to introduce Busan audiences to this beloved musical in a grand new presentation setting over the summer. Dream Theatre, Busanjin-gu, Through September 28
Beach Season Opening — All seven beaches open for summer operations on Tuesday. Through August 31
Haeundae Festa @ Haeundae Beach – A summer’s worth of activities are taking place at the beach until the end of August. Haeundae Beach, Through August 31
Gwangalli Character Zone @ Gwangalli Beach — Popular Kakao characters Ryan and Chunsik take part at the “Friends Tour IN Gwangalli” pop-up. Gwangalli Beach, Through August 31
GALLERY EVENTS
HAEUNDAE FC @ Mezzanine Gallery – A group exhibition of 21 contemporary craft artists exploring tea culture through fine craft. Mezzanine Gallery (Maison de Karine), Haeundae-gu, Through August 31
Temporary Residence @ Gallery Jaehee – Jeong Eun-yul’s solo exhibition navigating memory and imaginary spaces through digital drawings and oil paintings. Gallery Jaehee, Haeundae-gu, Through August 30
Fake World @ Ssamm Cultural Space – International relay exhibition featuring Korean and Russian artists Baek Bo-rim, Cho Ye-sol, and Alexander Sokolov, exploring truth and fabrication in modern society. Ssamm Cultural Space, Suyeong-gu, Through August 31
Colonized Earth 2025 – Eyes of the Universe, Tears of the Earth @ Democracy Park – A large-scale group exhibition reflecting on environmental and social colonization through experimental art. Democracy Park, Jung-gu, Through August 31
Echoes of Summer @ Lina Gallery Busan – Featuring Min Woo-gi, Jeon Hee-kyung, and Jung Go-yo-na, the exhibition captures the colors and impressions of summer through unique painterly expressions. Lina Gallery, Haeundae-gu, Through September 28
After Lifes – Floryan Varennes @ Hongti Art Center – French artist Floryan Varennes presents residency works inspired by Yeongdo divers and the sea. Hongti Art Center, Saha-gu, Through August 23
Around the Campfire @ Ewell Gallery – Ko Seong-min’s first solo exhibition, exploring themes of connection and comfort through painting. Ewell Gallery, Suyeong-gu, Through August 30
We Are Connected: Circular Heart @ Objethood Gallery – Yu Su-ji’s solo exhibition exploring empathy and interconnectedness among living beings. Objethood Gallery, Gijang-gun, Through September 7
Ordinary Life @ Space Topping – Ahn Da-eun’s solo exhibition on fleeting travel moments and emotions of daily life. Space Topping, Haeundae-gu, Through September 7
Patina – Busan Tour @ Busan Gallery – Park Nam-sa revitalizes damaged archival photos from the Library of Congress with new aesthetic interpretations. Busan Gallery, Saha-gu, Through August 30
The Room Remains @ Space Bv – Lee Jeong-yun’s installation inaugurates Space Bv’s new venue, using collected objects to create metaphoric connections. Space Bv, Geumjeong-gu, Through October 12
Module Logics @ Dioti Museum – Lee Sung-bok presents experimental works based on the artist’s self-designed number-symbol system, “C.P. Gradations.” Dioti Museum, Geumjeong-gu, Through September 20
Breathe @ Chosun Gallery – Kim Min-young’s solo exhibition exploring cycles of breath, body, and nature through painting and mixed media. Chosun Gallery, Haeundae-gu, August 23–September 3
Liquid Frontiers @ Dongbaek Art Center – Group show featuring works by Cho In-seo, Park Ji-hoon, and Lee Ji-yeon, examining shifting boundaries between land, sea, and identity. Dongbaek Art Center, Haeundae-gu, August 24–September 15
Tracing Memory @ Yejin Gallery – Sculptor Kwon Hye-rim’s exhibition of organic forms inspired by geology and personal memory. Yejin Gallery, Nam-gu, August 24–September 10
Hilma af Klint: Proper Summons @ Busan Museum of Contemporary Art Gallery 5 — Enjoy a collection of 140 works, including paintings, drawings, videos, and archival materials. Busan Museum of Contemporary Art Gallery 5, July 19–October 26
Brise-Soleil and Rounded Corners: Art Deco and Modernist Architecture in Southeast Asia Today @ ASEAN Culture House — The event aims to understand the background of the formation of major ASEAN cities through modern and contemporary architectural heritage. ASEAN Culture House, Haeundae-gu, Through November 9
Steidl Book Culture Magic On Paper @ Domoheon — This cross-genre archival exhibition illuminates the multifaceted world of Gerhard Steidl, the renowned German publisher of photography and art books. Domoheon Multipurpose Room, Suyeong-gu, Through December 7
Hilma af Klint: Proper Summons @ Busan Museum of Contemporary Art Gallery 5 — Enjoy a collection of 140 works, including paintings, drawings, videos, and archival materials. Busan Museum of Contemporary Art Gallery 5, Through October 26
Summer Story Exhibition @ Bakery Cafe Gawon – Featuring three artists, this exhibition evokes forgotten emotions and quiet summer memories. Bakery Cafe Gawon, Nam-gu, Through September 29
Topography of Labor – 12 Scenes @ Busan Museum of Modern Art – Eunbi Kwon’s installation explores invisible and peripheral labor through moving sculptures. Busan Museum of Modern Art, Saha-gu, Through October 19
Ideal Phenomenon @ Asti Gallery – Lim In-gu’s exhibition examines capitalism and longing through his symbolic “Gold Bar” series. Asti Gallery, Dong-gu, Through August 31
FLOATING: THE OCEAN @ Gallery Haas – A multi-artist show exploring boundaries and the sense of water through diverse media. Gallery Haas, Haeundae-gu, Through September 2
The Blooming Tale @ Lotus Gallery – Lee Ki-taek’s paintings use nature and fairy tale imagery to explore imagination and nostalgia. Lotus Gallery, Haeundae-gu, Through August 30
Kim Dae-yoon Retrospective @ Picasso Gallery – A major retrospective of late artist Kim Dae-yoon’s vibrant depictions of everyday Busan life. Picasso Gallery, Haeundae-gu, Through August 31
Kariya Miki Invitational @ Maison de Karin – Fantastical yet familiar images explore childhood memories, emotion, and Japanese kawaii aesthetics. Maison de Karin, Haeundae-gu, Through August 31
Everyday Happiness @ Busan Police Agency Gallery – Myung Chae-kyung’s paintings reflect joy in daily moments and the memories they create. Busan Police Agency Gallery, Yeonje-gu, Through August 31
The Moment Between @ Gallery Playlist – Kim Yeon-su and Park Se-bin examine fleeting intersections between vitality and stillness. Gallery Playlist, Jung-gu, Through September 13
If the Time Comes When You Ask If You’ve Eaten @ Space Sail – Lee Hyeong-sa’s personal drawings reflect familial love and cycles of emotion. Space Sail, Jung-gu, Through August 29
Beom and Chu @ Open Space Bae & Annyeong Artist – Artists explore faith, doubt, and illusion through conceptual forms and experimental works. Open Space Bae & Annyeong Artist, Jung-gu, Through August 31
Mita Artist Invitational @ Gallery T (Lotte Department Store) – Known for shark imagery, Mita reinterprets fear into positive, vibrant iconography. Gallery T, Busanjin-gu, Through September 1
Return @ National Museum of Forced Mobilization – Commemorating Korea’s liberation, this exhibition tells stories of repatriated forced laborers. National Museum of Forced Mobilization, Nam-gu, Through October 31
The Comma Gaze @ Vitree Gallery – Summer’s solo show explores femininity, identity, and inner emotion through “comma-eyed” portraits. Vitree Gallery, Suyeong-gu, Through August 30
Seeing with Ten Fingers @ Busan Museum of Contemporary Art — Featuring the works of 20 multidisciplinary artists from Korea and abroad, the exhibition showcases over 70 synesthetic works. Busan Museum of Contemporary Art, Through September 7
Sawadee Thailand @ Sasang Life History Museum — 437 cultural items from the Land of Smiles are on display. Sasang Life History Museum, Through November
Arte Museum Busan — The exhibition features 19 works themed ‘CIRCLE’, highlighting the natural and cultural elements of Busan. Arte Museum Busan, Yeongdo-gu, Ongoing