Families and visitors flocked to the COEX Aquarium in Seoul on Sunday to escape high temperatures and humidity [1].
The surge in indoor visitors highlights a growing trend of "stay-cation" style outings in South Korea's capital, where extreme summer weather often drives public leisure activities into climate-controlled environments [1].
Located within the COEX Mall in the Gangnam district, the facility became a primary destination for holiday crowds seeking entertainment away from the heat [1]. Visitors explored various marine-animal exhibits, including displays of seals, and rays [2].
A central attraction of the day was a mermaid performance. The show featured underwater acrobatics that drew significant attention from the audience [2].
"A little while ago, a mermaid appeared and performed underwater stunts, and the cheers and applause of the audience did not stop," Moon Sang-a said [2].
Moon said that the humid heat continued throughout the holiday, making indoor venues the preferred choice for those looking to spend time with their families [1].
Local residents utilized the aquarium as a sanctuary from the outdoors, where the combination of high temperatures and moisture levels made traditional outdoor parks less appealing [1]. The facility's variety of aquatic life provided an educational and cooling experience for children and adults alike [2].
According to the broadcast, the trend of moving holiday celebrations indoors is a direct response to the current weather patterns affecting the region [1].
“Families and visitors flocked to the COEX Aquarium in Seoul on Sunday to escape high temperatures and humidity.”
The shift toward indoor leisure hubs like the COEX Aquarium during South Korean holidays reflects the impact of urban heat islands and increasing humidity on public behavior. As summer temperatures become more oppressive, commercial complexes that combine shopping, dining, and entertainment—known as 'mall culture'—become essential infrastructure for public recreation and mental well-being.
