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Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, is the easiest place in Korea to find dinosaur tracks. With its mild climate and natural beauty, it was here that the first dinosaur footprints were discovered in Korea, and more than 5,000 dinosaur footprint fossils have been found. The Goseong Dinosaur Museum houses a wide variety of dinosaurs from around the world, including authentic fossils of Oviraptor and Protoceratops, as well as a variety of Asian dinosaurs. The county has been hosting the Gyeongnam Goseong Dinosaur World Expo, the country＊s largest dinosaur festival, since 2006.
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The dinosaur expo celebrated nationwide
The 2024 Gyeongnam Goseong Dinosaur World Expo opened on October 2nd and ended on November 3 with a great success. The theme of the expo was “Dinosaurs and Me,” which conveyed the message of environmental and life protection through the interaction between dinosaurs and humans, and consisted of programs for all ages to enjoy through various exhibitions and experience programs. The expo was significantly enhanced with crowd-pleasing content, including a generative AI dinosaur experience and a colorful parade, and was embraced by families as a special fall outing. The county showcased a variety of programs to help boost local tourism and the economy.
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30 professional performers and 5 parade carts
Dancing with the Dinosaurs
The parade was once again a favorite among visitors, with 30 performers and five newly designed parade floats bringing a fairytale Dinosaurland to life in a spectacular parade. The parade was held twice a day on weekdays and three times on nightly opening days and became a must-see for visitors. On the stage, local characters and foreign performers performed twice a day, including a musical about rescuing baby dinosaurs from a horde of T-Rex villains, where the audience and performers could enjoy the dinosaur world together through exciting music and dancing.
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Generative AI dinosaurs
Combining technology and art
The expo featured all-new content, including 4D and 5D videos, a safari theater, and more, creating a more immersive and vivid experience for visitors. In particular, the generative AI robotic dinosaur was well-received, as it interacted with visitors to create a unique experience that felt like coming face-to-face with a live dinosaur. At the Dinosaur Play Village, emotional exhibits utilizing black light and a large character photo zone provided visitors with a different kind of fun. The Foundation said “Our innovative endeavors go beyond mere viewing and offer a unique opportunity for visitors to experience a glimpse into the future through an experience that combines technology and art.”
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Fossil digs, rare reptiles, and scavenger hunts
Messages for future generations
The fossil digging experience was popular among children, as it gave them a realistic experience of digging for dinosaur fossils. The rare reptile exhibit added educational value by allowing visitors to observe various creatures such as turtles and lizards up close, and using recycled materials was also noted. Visitors were encouraged to get creative, sketching freely on the junk cars and discarded appliances on display. The expo emphasized the importance of protecting the environment and provided a hands-on experience of the process of recycling waste. The Foundation said “The special exhibit was more than just a viewing experience, it was an educational message about nature and the environment, and it was a meaningful time to remind future generations of the importance of protecting the environment.”
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| ▲ Goseong Culture Foundation / Chairman Lee Sang-geun (Mayor of Goseong County) |
Circus for families
More variety of programs
At the expo, circus performers with extensive stage experience performed thrilling acts, including breathtaking aerial stunts and juggling, giving the audience an exciting time. The circus was so popular that additional shows were scheduled, with two to three performances on weekdays and four on weekends. The Foundation said “We are grateful for the large number of visitors who came to the Expo on a perfect fall day. We’re looking forward to creating a unique experience for our visitors with more programming and new experiential content than ever before.”
백종원 기자 bridgekorea@naver.com
