Travel
What’s on in Busan: August 11-17
Haps Magazine Korea
August 10, 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 11 - August 17
EVENTS HAPPENING
MUSIC
2025 Gijang Imrang Summer Music Festival @ Gijang Imrang Beach area — A youth singing festival and some popular singers take the stage this weekend. Gijang Imrang Beach area, Friday and Saturday
Kkureogi Music Festival @ Busan Citizens Hall — An afternoon classical concert under the theme “Exciting Summer”. Busan Citizens Hall, Busanjin-gu, Saturday, 3 p.m.
Korean Traditional Music Cantata @ Busan Concert Hall — Kim Mi-jin, Lee Hee-jae, and Jeong Yun-hyeong perform a concert for Liberation Day. Busan Concert Hall, Busanjin-gu, Saturday, 5 p.m.
Millak Waterside Music Festa @ Millak Waterside Park — Suyeong District will continue its regular “Millak Waterside Music Festa” performances in August, part of a seasonal series running every Saturday evening from May through September. Millak Waterside Park, Suyeong-gu, Saturday, 7 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.
OHTER STUFF
Liberation Day — Various activities will take place around the city to celebrate the 80th Liberation Day of South Korea. Friday
KIMA Week @ Dadaepo Beach, Gwangalli Beach, Songjeong Beach, Suyeonggang River – KIMA Week is a summer festival that embraces ocean culture by way of yachting, surfing, paddleboarding, and a variety of water sports. Dadaepo Beach, Gwangalli Beach, Songjeong Beach, Suyeonggang River, Thursday through Sunday
Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures @ Gwangalli Beach — Gwangalli Beach heats up this weekend with a pro tour volleyball event. Gwangalli Beach, Thursday through Sunday
Busan Indie Connect Festival @ BEXCO — The Busan Indie Connect Festival (BIC), an annual global indie game event, is marking its 11th anniversary this year with its largest event to date.. BEXCO, Centum City, Friday through Sunday
Busan Camping & Leisure Vehicle Expo @ BEXCO — Check out the latest trends in camping. BEXCO, Centum City, Friday through Sunday
Busan International Liquor Expo @ BEXCO — Enjoy alcohol from all over the country and the world in one place, including markets, lectures, DJ parties, and forums. BEXCO, Centum City, Friday through Sunday
B2C Wedding Expo @ BEXCO — All your wedding needs in one place. BEXCO, Centum City, Friday through Sunday
Number Blocks @ BEXCO Auditorium — The popular children’s musical has three performances daily. BEXCO Auditorium, Centum City, Friday through Sunday
Busan Sea Library Pop-up @ Haeundae Beach — A special library for just one day, spread out over the cool sea and sand. Haeundae Beach near Songnim Park, Saturday, 2 p.m.
Refuge Capital Busan National Heritage Night Tour @ Busan Port Pier 1, Busan Modern History Museum — A night tour of the city’s past will take place. Busan Port Pier 1, Busan Modern History Museum, Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m.
Yeongdo Beer Festival @ Busan International Cruise Terminal — A Korean beer festival with food and nightly entertainment. Busan International Cruise Terminal, Yeongdo, August 16-24
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
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
Flag Waving @ Hongti Art Village – A two-person exhibition by Kang Si-ra and Jo Min-ji that reflects intersecting narratives of emotion, existence, and language. Hongti Art Village, Saha-gu, Through August 19
Essential @ Ezeli – Chris Miso’s solo exhibition uses animal figures to explore labor and human value in the post-pandemic era. Ezeli, Suyeong-gu, Through August 23
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
Busan Contemporary and Young Artists Exhibition @ Geumjeong Cultural Center – A cross-generational exhibition fostering dialogue between veteran and emerging artists. Geumjeong Cultural Center, Geumjeong-gu, Through August 10
To Stand on This Land @ Gallery Woo – Han Chung-seok’s show explores a child’s journey to regain identity and belonging. Gallery Woo, Gijang-gun, Through August 23
Korean-Chinese Calligraphy Exchange @ Busan City Hall – Over 100 artworks explore shared traditions and creative reinterpretations of calligraphy and painting. Busan City Hall, Yeonje-gu, August 11–16
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
Footprints of Liberation: Walking That Day @ Busan Museum — This exhibition highlights the various movements for independence that took place in Busan during the Japanese colonial period and the historical role that Beomeosa Temple played at the center of them. Busan Museum, Nam-gu, Through August 15
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.
Footprints of Liberation: Walking That Day @ Busan Museum — This exhibition highlights the various movements for independence that took place in Busan during the Japanese colonial period and the historical role that Beomeosa Temple played at the center of them. Busan Museum, Nam-gu, Through August 15
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
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