부산 해운대서 2017년 새해 첫 해맞이... 새해 소망은?
Busan. Highways were briskly packed in Korea on Saturday... with people hoping to get to the best places to catch the very first sunrise of the new year and make a wish.
Oh Jung-hee made her way down to Korea's largest port city: Busan... and listened to some of their hopes and dreams for 2017.
The blazing red sun peeks over the horizon... spreading rays of orange and yellow across the blue sky.
A brand new year, 2017, has finally come.
"Tens of thousands of people flocked to Korea's most-loved Haeundae beach in the southeastern city of Busan... to welcome the new year.
The beach is even more crowded than usual... as sunrise festivals were cancelled in a number of cities... due to the bird flu outbreak."
Local residents and visitors from across the country stand facing the sea.
Shouting "happy new year," they release the balloons carrying the new year's wishes they've written down.
"I hope I can nail my college entrance exam, and get into a good university."
"I hope I can spend this year more meaningfully... investing my time and energy in things I really want."
"I definitely need to improve my Korean language... So I'm taking classes now. Also it's to travel as much as possible within Korea... see as much while I'm here."
"I think for me... just take the most of opportunities that come up and say 'yes' a lot. Yeah, don't say 'no', and just go for stuff."
A wide range of events were prepared for the visitors to enjoy the first morning of the new year,... but the most startling moments come when brave thrill-seekers dunk themselves in the icy cold sea.
Their sense of daring drives off the freezing cold.
"I swim here with my fellow club members all year round, and the water temperature actually doesn't vary that much season to season. I feel myself getting healthier from swimming, and it's also fun to see the seaweed and the cute fish underwater."
For Korean people, the year 2016 was especially tough.
And maybe that is why so many of them shared the same wish for the new year.
"I just hope my family can be healthy and happy... and always feel grateful for what we have. Also, because Korea went through a crisis in 2016... I hope our country can stand strong and stay firm in 2017."
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News, Busan.
Visit ‘Arirang News’ Official Pages
Facebook(NEWS): [ Ссылка ]
Homepage: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
