[Report] Popularity of Pilot Gyeonggi-do... Spring Outing Visitors Excited by 'No Mask' Policy

'No Mask' Spring Flower Festival in Full Bloom
Weekday Popularity High for Professional Baseball Exhibition Games
Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival Expected to Attract 5 Million Visitors

"The weather is nice, and above all, it's so great to finally take off our masks!"

Spring flower festivals, which were canceled or scaled down due to COVID-19, are being held normally this year, accelerating the footsteps of spring visitors. According to local governments, spring flower festivals across the country, which had been subdued due to COVID-19, are being held normally for the first time in four years. The full-scale festivals begin on the first weekend of March, starting from the southern regions such as Seogwipo Sanghyo Garden Arboretum in Jeju.

The sports world, including professional baseball, is no exception. Especially, the professional baseball exhibition games were held without spectators last year due to the impact of COVID-19, but this year the situation has completely changed, allowing fans to watch games without masks. The number of visitors to baseball stadiums is increasing in the clear spring weather.

On the 23rd, the Kiwoom vs. Samsung game at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome, which the reporter visited, was also filled with spring visitors. Since 2016, the 10 professional teams have held exhibition games until the end of March before the regular season starts. Admission is free on weekdays and paid on weekends.

Citizens visiting the baseball stadium (Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome) on a clear spring day. Photo by Han Seung-gon

At the ticket booths, even on a weekday, citizens visiting the stadium in small groups were easily seen. A ticket booth official said, "Last year, there were no spectators due to COVID-19, but this year, with the easing of COVID-19, many people are visiting the stadium even on weekdays."

Upon entering the stadium, the table seats were nearly full, and the general seating was crowded enough to resemble a weekend game.

In the game that day, the Samsung Lions conceded 5 points first to the Kiwoom Heroes but thrillingly came back to win by one point. Spectators at the stadium were enjoying their spring outing regardless of the result.

Kim, a housewife in her 40s who came with her 10-year-old daughter, said, "We brought kimbap and lunch boxes and came to the stadium. I'm enjoying baseball and the spring weather on a weekday." She added, "I feel good because I think I made good memories for my daughter."

Another spectator, Choi Insik (37), said he took a day off and came to the stadium with acquaintances. Choi said, "I like Kiwoom, but I came to the stadium to enjoy leisure time with friends." He added, "This year, being able to take off masks makes me feel even better. I also have plans for spring outings with my family."

Citizens visiting the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival. The photo shows the scene before the spread of COVID-19 in 2019. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the increase in spring visitors, local merchants' expectations are also rising. Park, a self-employed man in his 50s who runs a convenience store near the baseball stadium, said, "Last year's exhibition games were held without spectators, so sales naturally dropped during that period, but this year is different. Beer sales are changing first. It seems it will get busier when the regular season starts."

The number of visitors to the exhibition games is steadily increasing this year. The KBO office reported that on the 19th, the total number of spectators across five stadiums nationwide was 29,525. Daegu Samsung Lions Park, where the kt wiz vs. Samsung Lions game took place, had the largest crowd with 8,443 spectators. Following were Busan Sajik Stadium (6,425), Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park (5,500), Gwangju Kia Champions Field (567), and Changwon NC Park (490), all with a considerable number of paid spectators.

The largest cherry blossom festival in the country, the 61st Jinhae Gunhangje Festival in Changwon, Gyeongnam, is also welcoming visitors again after four years. Starting with the opening ceremony on the 24th, the festival will be held from March 25 to April 3 around Jungwon Rotary in Jinhae-gu, featuring blooming cherry blossoms and various events.

The Yeouido Spring Flower Festival will also begin on April 4. This is the first full-scale Yeouido Spring Flower Festival in four years since 2019. The festival was completely canceled in spring 2020 due to the spread of COVID-19. Yeongdeungpo-gu expects more than 5 million visitors to enjoy the cherry blossoms in Yeouido during the festival period. Yeongdeungpo-gu announced, "From noon on the 3rd to noon on the 10th of next month, vehicle traffic will be completely restricted on Yeouiseo-ro 1.7 km behind the National Assembly, and from the public parking lot at the southern end of Seogang Bridge to Yeoui-haryu Interchange (IC)."