It’s one of the first things many visitors see when arriving in Busan and one of the last they glimpse on their way out of town. It draws a diverse range of people both day and night, from families and long-time locals to expatriates and those just passing through town.

It’s one of the city’s newest and most popular attractions. It’s the music fountain in front of Busan Station.

This lively attraction located at Busan Station square is a high-tech fountain that shoots water high up in the air through numerous spouts - all set to the beat of various types of music. Families and groups of friends often gather here, using the fountain as a centerpiece for socializing and catching up. It also serves as a venue for cultural performances and other events, further enhancing its appeal.

The fountain has actually been around for 40 years but has sat largely dormant. It opened again in May to provide a feast for the senses.

The technology aspect involves timing the water sprays to the music. To accomplish such a feat, the fountain incorporates adjustable nozzles that control the height and volume of the water spray coming out of each spout.

The highlight is the ohgamzeulgam cultural performance in front of the fountain, which is held every Saturday evening on the hour starting at 5 p.m. through October.

The professional performance team Namsam Nori Madang kicked off the series on June 19 with a fusion percussion show. Going forward, numerous other acts and groups are scheduled to take the stage, including pop bands, famous singers and other entertainers.

Visitors from out of town seem to be particularly excited about the fountain, giving it rave reviews.

“It was a great performance,” Johan, an office worker from Sweden, said after seeing the show recently. “Since the background of the performance was a fountain show, it seemed more cool and beautiful. I think the idea is very good.”

Tips> Ohgamzeulgam

Ohgamzeulgam essentially means incorporating the five senses, which you can easily do at the Busan Station fountain. Here you can enjoy the scent of the sea (sense of smell), take a dip in the cool water (sense of touch), listen to lively and soothing music (sense of sound), watch a fabulous water show and engaging cultural performances (sense of sight) and savor a great meal at a restaurant in Dong District (sense of taste). By Hwang Jeong-hyun (Intern)

The fountain at Busan Station has quickly become a hip cultural spot on the weekends, when it hosts various cultural events in addition to a light and water show. Above, visitors enjoy a performance.