A 3.5-meter whale shark found in a narrow channel in South Korea has turned into an unexpected tourist attraction, drawing over 600,000 visitors to the seaside park in Busan city.
The shark, nicknamed Bukang-i in honor of Busan's North Port, was first spotted in the channel on September 18th. Experts believe the bronze whale shark was following prey from the sea into the waterway but could not find a way out.
South Korean coast guard personnel initially attempted to guide the shark out of the channel shortly after its discovery. However, the operation was suspended after scientists warned that forcing the animal could cause it harm or induce stress and aggression.
Rescue efforts resumed on September 29th when coast guard boats used water jets to encourage the shark to move toward the channel entrance. This method was reportedly inspired by the rescue of a great white shark trapped in shallow waters off Massachusetts in 2004.
The first attempt to resume the rescue proved unsuccessful: the shark swam past the boats and returned deeper into the channel. According to the fisheries institute, the shark remains stable, although its limited ability to move and feed could weaken it if it remains trapped for too long.
What began as a wildlife rescue operation has turned into an unforeseen tourist phenomenon. The seaside park at the North Port usually attracts about 2,000 people per day on holidays, but between September 19th and 28th, following the shark's appearance, the city registered approximately 607,000 visits.
Visitors gather along the promenade hoping to see Bukang-i when it surfaces in the channel. The shark has even received an honorary title from the city of Busan. After surveying residents on the city's Instagram, where 91% of respondents supported the idea, officials named it 'Shafluencer' and plan for the city mascot to receive a certificate on its behalf.
Sharks are not uncommon in South Korean waters, although encounters near urban areas can attract significant attention. The National Institute of Fisheries Science of South Korea recorded 46 large sharks off the country's east coast in the first half of 2026, nearly four times the number recorded in the same period last year. Researchers attribute this increase to warming seas and increased prey availability.
Meanwhile, Busan's unusual guest has captured public imagination: residents and tourists are coming to watch the animal and follow the rescue operation. As long as Bukang-i remains in the channel, officials continue to work on finding a safe way to return it to the sea.