Ceremony marks completion of Dadae village makeover in Geoje

South Gyeongsang Province holds a ceremony Tuesday to mark the completion of its 2026 canvas village project at Dadae village in Geoje. [South Gyeongsang Province]
South Gyeongsang Province holds a ceremony Tuesday to mark the completion of its 2026 canvas village project at Dadae village in Geoje. [South Gyeongsang Province]

A ceremony marking the completion of the 2026 canvas village project was held Tuesday at Dadae village in Geoje. The project aims to improve the appearance of aging fishing villages and create spaces that reflect each community's distinct character.

According to South Gyeongsang Province, the project made its debut last year at Sandaldo village in Geoje. This year, nine fishing villages applied, and Dadae village was selected in April as the final project site.

The ceremony was attended by Marine and Fisheries Bureau Director General Lee Sang-hoon of South Gyeongsang Province, the head of the Korea Fisheries Infrastructure Public Agency's southern and eastern sea branch, and officials from Geoje City and the South Gyeongsang Province Return-to-Fishing and Rural Village Support Center. The event featured a video screening of the mural-making process, followed by a progress report on the canvas village project, a viewing of the completed murals and an unveiling ceremony.

The residents' representative of Dadae village said the transformation had breathed new life into the community. "The village alleyways have been turned into a bright artistic space, and the whole village feels alive," the representative said. "We hope this project gives tourists who visit Dadae village even more cherished memories to take home, and residents will work together with one heart to help the village thrive."

The project involved renovating the old walls and alleyways of Dadae village and installing colorful murals symbolizing the clean sea. Residents' input was incorporated from the planning stage, capturing the village's own stories and warm atmosphere. The project focused on creating spaces that both residents and visitors can enjoy, and is expected to contribute not only to improving the village's appearance but also to drawing more tourists and revitalizing the local community.

"The canvas village project is a model case that added cultural value to the existing fishing village landscape and raised the region's tourism competitiveness," Marine and Fisheries Bureau Director General Lee Sang-hoon said. "We will continue to expand specialized projects that bring out the unique appeal of fishing villages."


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