Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Hyundai Motor Group, Busan citizens launch all-out campaign for World Expo 2030
Seen is a captured image from a campaign video, produced by Hyundai Motor Group promoting Busan's bid to host World Expo 2030. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
By Baek Byung-yeul
By Baek Byung-yeul
Hyundai Motor Group and residents of Busan have launched an all-out campaign to promote the city's bid to host World Expo 2030 as the automotive giant unveiled a promotional video showing Busan citizens introducing the southern port city's unique qualities in 15 different languages, Sunday.
The automotive giant released a video titled “Busan Citizens Invite You All,” which introduces Busan's strong will and capabilities to host the international event ― in the languages of the 15 member countries of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).
The BIE is an intergovernmental organization in charge of overseeing and regulating the World Expo event, which is held every five years. Hyundai Motor Group also unveiled 16 one-minute short-form videos produced only in each member country's language so as to attract votes from the BIE member countries.
“We made these videos that show Busan citizens promoting their city's suitability and competitiveness for World Expo 2030 ahead of the BIE's inspection visit to Busan from April 2 to 7,” the automotive group said. “The move is also aimed at attracting support from BIE member countries around the world and creating enthusiasm for hosting the event in Busan at home and abroad.”
The group added that the videos can be watched on its official YouTube channel and Facebook. The group will also screen the videos during a supporting event for Busan's bid at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square next month and Seoul Mobility Show 2023, which will take place in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province from March 31 to April 9.
When Busan citizens introduce the city in the videos, major tourists spots of the city are also clearly visible in the background such as Gukje Market, Jagalchi Market, Yongdusan Park, Marine City, Busan Cinema Center and Hyundai Motorstudio Busan.
A Busan citizen promotes the city's bid to host World Expo 2030 in Spanish in this campaign video. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
The video begins with a young man paddle-boarding on a beach in Busan asking the question “Busan ― the city that best matches the World Expo, Why is it Busan” in English, and ends with a Busan citizen using sign language to communicate that “Busan is prepared.”
Hyundai Motor Group formed a task force team for the Expo in August, 2021 and has been making efforts to help the country host the international event by utilizing its global network and international events attended by key figures from across the world.