‘Shafluencer’ Busan’s ‘Bukang-i’ Makes Headlines Abroad … UK’s The Guardian Reports on the “Shark That Drew 600,000 Visitors” [K-EYES]

*This content was translated by AI.

The shark “Bukang-i,” which appeared in Busan’s North Port, has been featured in the UK’s leading daily newspaper, The Guardian. In an article titled “Large Shark Trapped in South Korean City Canal Draws 600,000 Visitors,” published on the 29th (local time), The Guardian reported on the unusual scene surrounding Bukang-i in Busan.

The Guardian reported, “Bukang-i, believed to be a bronze whaler shark measuring 3.5 meters in length, entered the narrow waterway of Busan’s North Port on the 18th and has been unable to escape. It is presumed that it followed prey from the sea.”

The Coast Guard attempted to guide the shark out of the waterway on the day it appeared, but scientists expressed concerns that the shark could be injured or become aggressive during forced relocation, leading to the operation being halted after six hours. Subsequently, on the 29th, Coast Guard vessels again attempted to drive the shark toward the entrance of the waterway by spraying jets of water. The Guardian noted that this method was modeled after a rescue operation for a great white shark trapped in shallow waters in Massachusetts, USA, in 2004.

However, Bukang-i swam back into the interior of the waterway to avoid the vessels, and the rescue efforts were ultimately suspended again. The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute stated that Bukang-i’s condition is stable, but concerns have been raised that its health could weaken if it remains for a long period due to restricted movement and feeding activities within the waterway.

The Guardian particularly focused on the crowds gathered to see a single shark. According to Busan City, the North Port waterfront park typically sees about 2,000 visitors per day on holidays, but from the 19th, the day after Bukang-i’s appearance, through the 28th, a total of 607,000 visits were recorded over ten days. The Guardian reported that the 3.5-meter shark had unexpectedly become a tourist attraction.

The reactions of Busan citizens surrounding Bukang-i were also introduced. The Guardian relayed the words of Kim Jung-sook, a 62-year-old resident who said she had grown attached to Bukang-i and came to say goodbye, and reported that Jeon Jae-su, Mayor of Busan, also stated that Bukang-i “has star quality” and is “really cute.”

Reflecting the intense interest from citizens, Busan City appointed Bukang-i as an honorary public relations ambassador. In an Instagram poll for citizens, 91% voted in favor of the appointment. Busan City granted Bukang-i the title “Shafluencer,” a portmanteau of “shark” and “influencer,” and the appointment letter was received on its behalf by “Bugi,” Busan’s communication character.

The Guardian also noted that the “Bukang-i phenomenon” may not remain a mere incident. While sharks are not unfamiliar in Korean coastal waters, the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute confirmed 46 large sharks in the East Sea in the first half of this year, an increase of nearly four times compared to the same period last year. The Guardian reported that rising water temperatures and an increase in the population of fish that serve as shark prey are cited as the background factors.

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*This content was translated by AI.