BUSAN -- Baek Kyung-ran, born and raised in Busan, has never seen the city in such a festive mood before, except perhaps for the time when the country was hosting the World Cup 21 years ago.
"Things have definitely changed around here. I see so many banners related to promoting the Expo on public transportation and street lamps. I also saw cheerleaders and dance teams performing to promote the country’s bid to host the World Expo on the streets," she said in front of Busan Station.
"Also, speakers on the streets are playing Lee Moo-jin's Expo cheer song. It kind of feels like the year 2002, when the country was hyped up about the World Cup."
For Edwin, a Dutch traveler, Busan's passion towards the World Expo 2030 is felt on every corner.
"I've been traveling Busan for four days, and there were placards and banners everywhere. I could see the people's will to host the event. You can't miss it!" he said.
"Other cities such as Riyadh, Rome and Odessa are strong candidates indeed, but Busan does have its strengths. It is a wonderful city. I wish Busan and Korea good luck."
Busan, famous as a leisure and vacation destination, was the first modern trade port that linked Korea and the world. The city had only 3,300 people when it first opened up to the world after the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1876, but it had to embrace over 1 million refugees during the 1950s as a consequence of the Korean War.
The city is now the second-largest city in South Korea, as well as one of the most popular places in Korea for tourism. It is also the venue of several international events like the Busan International Film Festival.
“I saw booths in Gwanghwamun promoting the Busan Expo. I did not know what the Busan Expo was at first, but got interested as I planned on going to Busan next. When I arrived at Busan, I saw even more promotional content related to the Busan Expo everywhere I went," said Li from China, who was also amazed at Korea's passion for hosting the event.
"I could feel the nation’s sincere wish to host the event, and after looking around the (Busan) city, I really liked the place -- and I think this will be a good place to hold the World Expo,” he said.
Busan citizens were also excited about the possibility of hosting one of the grandest international events in the world.
"Yesterday, when I was working my shift, I thought I was going deaf with all the cheering that the citizens did to the members of BIE. I thought some sort of K-pop idol group was making their entrance to Busan Station," said Lee, a part-time worker at a bakery in Busan Station.
"Busan citizens, including me, seem to be very excited about having the country host the World Expo. I have never seen such a crowd in Busan Station during the two years I worked here," she said.
Another citizen said if the country could host the World Expo, the event could be a solution to the population decline the city has suffered for decades.
"I sincerely hope Busan is able to host the World Expo, since the event could work as a solution for lessening 'the Seoulization' that the country is currently going through," said Kim Goo-hyun, a Busan citizen in his 50s.
"The regional difference is too steep in this country, and all the young people are leaving Busan to get jobs in Seoul. If we get to host the World Expo, I expect that Busan can become a second Seoul, attract many people and stop the population decline the city is suffering from," he said.
Lee Soon-ja, a woman in her 70s, also talked of her hopes for hosting the grand festival in her hometown.
“Busan is mostly about marine and fishery industries, but with big events, I hope Busan's local marine-related products can be publicized to the world,” said Lee.
