[Photos] 80,000 Flashes Split the Sky Over Gwangan Bridge as the 21st Busan Fireworks Festival Lights Up the Autumn Sea, Moving Crowds with Soundtracks from 'Squid Game' and 'Wicked'

The deep night sky over the waters off Gwangalli Beach in Busan was transformed into a vast canvas of light. In the heart of late autumn, the beach was filled with cheers as tens of thousands of fireworks burst above the sea.

At 7 p.m. on the 7th, the 21st Busan Fireworks Festival opened in spectacular fashion. The first segment began with the International Invitational Fireworks Show, prepared by China’s SUNNY, whose dazzling display soared over Gwangan Bridge to the awe of spectators, accompanied by a majestic score.

A spectacular multimedia display brings 'Busan's Dream' to life

The main program, the second segment, was the Busan Multimedia Fireworks Show, featuring a display that showcased Hanwha's technological expertise. The performance, themed around “Busan’s Dream,” unfolded in three acts—“Anticipation,” “Boldness” and “Jubilation”—bringing its narrative vividly to life.

At the festival’s climax, massive 25-inch fireworks, spanning hundreds of meters, erupted in sync with the media façade lighting on Gwangan Bridge, prompting a thunderous roar from the beach. Cascading fireworks reminiscent of Niagara Falls and wave-like effects filled the night sea with depth and dimension.

The soundtrack heightened the immersion. Popular pop tracks, including music from the global hit Squid Game and the musical film Wicked, were precisely timed to the fireworks, amplifying the emotion. The third segment concluded with a “curtain-call fireworks” tribute to the on-site staff and citizens who helped make the festival a success, wrapping up a one-hour extravaganza of more than 80,000 fireworks.

Crowds pack viewing spots across the coast and city

The festival fever spread beyond Gwangalli Beach to vantage points across Busan. Crowds packed Igidae Coastal Park and the Haeundae Marine City waterfront, as well as major trails on Geumnyeonsan, Hwangnyeongsan and Jangsan mountains, all offering views of Gwangan Bridge. More than 100 vessels, including yachts and tour boats, anchored offshore, creating a unique spectacle as visitors watched the fireworks from prime spots on the water.

Before the main event, the Black Eagles aerobatic team of the Republic of Korea Air Force put on an air show over the city during the day. A variety of cultural programs—including a beachside book picnic, indie band busking and a chalk art activity booth—further heightened the festive atmosphere.

Advanced monitoring and interagency coordination in all-out effort to prevent accidents

Authorities activated a comprehensive safety network to prevent accidents caused by large crowds. The Busan Metropolitan Government deployed about 7,000 safety personnel along key routes and designated 42 areas expected to draw concentrated crowds for close monitoring. To ease bottlenecks in real time, the number of crowd-management information vehicles was increased to 12. Eight emergency medical stations, 32 ambulances and four emergency evacuation routes were also put in place.

For public safety and counterterrorism, the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency rushed about 2,200 personnel, including mobile units, and its special operations unit to the scene. To eliminate blind spots, the agency newly deployed 15 wireless mobile CCTV cameras to monitor crowd movement in real time. The Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters established a forward command post at the Suyeong-gu Living Culture Center and deployed about 600 firefighters, setting up defensive lines at 43 vulnerable locations. Meanwhile, Busan Transportation Corporation added a total of 212 trips on Metro Lines 1 through 3 to help people get home smoothly.