A promotional video for the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo [Captured from Yeosu City's official social media]
A promotional video for the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo [Captured from Yeosu City's official social media]

A promotional video for the Yeosu World Island Expo has drawn criticism online for its low-budget variety-show style. The backlash is the latest in a string of complaints surrounding the international event, which has drawn 70.3 billion won ($50.7 million) in public funding, following earlier criticism over food offerings and stage production at the venue.

On Thursday, Yeosu City's official Instagram account posted a video featuring five figures draped in white sheets pretending to be ghosts, accompanied by the caption "You are my island expo hope."

In the clip, the five ghost characters set out to find the expo's "Baobab Tree" attraction, introducing food and sights around the fairgrounds before watching an outdoor sunset together.

The video drew widespread puzzlement, with many online commenters saying the ghost costumes and low-budget comedy style had no discernible connection to the expo. "What on earth do these ghosts have to do with islands?" one user wrote. Another said: "Even after hearing an explanation of why ghosts and a baobab tree appear, I still can't follow the logic."

Others questioned the overall quality of the clip. "The production level is too low for an official municipal promotional video," one commenter wrote. Reactions ranged from "neither fun nor moving" to "too childish to watch."

A soy-sauce marinated crab set meal purchased for 14,900 won at the Yeosu World Island Expo by YouTuber "Matsangmu" [Captured from YouTube · Newsis]
A soy-sauce marinated crab set meal purchased for 14,900 won at the Yeosu World Island Expo by YouTuber "Matsangmu" [Captured from YouTube · Newsis]

The promotional video controversy is not the first to hit the Yeosu World Island Expo. Earlier, a dispute erupted online over the contents and price of a soy-sauce marinated crab set meal sold at the venue.

A YouTuber who ordered the 14,900-won set meal received a tray holding marinated crab, a bowl of rice, kimchi, corn salad and dried seaweed. Commenters reacted sharply, with remarks including "the portions are way too small" and "did they scoop the banchan with a teaspoon?"

Stage production at the expo drew similar reactions. At a performance of "Geomundo Baetsori" — a traditional fishermen's work song from Geomundo island — held at the main venue on Tuesday, organizers fashioned a makeshift boat by wrapping cloth around a one-ton truck's cargo bed and attaching a sail. Performers climbed onto the truck and mimed rowing while singing the traditional song.

Because the truck remained clearly visible through the fabric, some online users said the stage felt underwhelming for an international event backed by tens of billions of won in public money.

The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo opened Sept. 5 under the theme "Islands: Connecting the Sea and the Future" and runs through Nov. 4 at the Jinmo district on Dolsan Island in Yeosu. The international event, designed to showcase the ecology, culture and future value of islands, was organized with a target of participation from 30 countries and 3 million visitors. Total project costs amount to 70.3 billion won.


bbo@heraldcorp.com