Aqua Planet 63 to Close by End of This Month
Opened in 1985 as Korea's First Aquarium
To Transform into France's 'Centre Pompidou' Art Museum
Aqua Planet 63, which was loved as the first aquarium in Korea, is closing its doors after about 40 years. The Pompidou Center Museum, a complex cultural facility known as one of the three major art museums in France, is scheduled to open in this location.
An aquarist is presenting a feeding show at 63 Sea World (currently Aqua Planet 63). [Photo by Hanwha Hotels & Resorts]
Hanwha Hotels & Resorts announced on the 18th that its subsidiary, Aqua Planet 63, will cease operations on the 30th. Opened in 1985 as 63 Sea World, Aqua Planet 63 established itself as a representative tourist attraction of 63 Square by offering various marine life exhibitions as well as diverse experiences and performances. It consistently attracted family visitors as well as demand from school trips and excursions, achieving a cumulative visitor count of 90 million since its opening.
This place housed up to about 250 species and 30,000 marine animals and was once the only aquarium in Korea where visitors could see the Antarctic 'Emperor Penguin.' The Emperor Penguin is the second largest penguin species after the Emperor Penguin, inhabiting Antarctica and nearby subtropical islands. It also introduced sea otters, walruses, and pink-backed pelicans to Korea for the first time.
In 2013, it established a marine biology research institute and devoted efforts to species conservation research. Since its early days, it has continuously held marine life ecology briefings for visitors as part of activities to preserve the marine ecosystem. The 'Mermaid Performance,' which became the aquarium's signature show, was also first introduced by Aqua Planet 63 in Korea. Starting in 1992, the mermaid performance featured national team synchronized swimmers swimming inside the aquarium, evoking the fairy tale image of the mermaid.
The space vacated by Aqua Planet 63 is planned to undergo renovation in conjunction with the opening of 'Pompidou Center Hanwha Seoul,' which Hanwha aims to open next year.
Han Won-min, director of Aqua Planet 63, said, "We deeply thank all visitors who have come to Aqua Planet 63 over the past decades," adding, "The marine animals here will be relocated to the aquariums in Ilsan, Gwanggyo, Yeosu, and Jeju to continue their lives."
Meanwhile, the observatory '63 Art,' where visitors can enjoy both beautiful views of Seoul and artworks, will also close at the end of this month along with Aqua Planet 63. Located on the 60th floor of 63 Square, 63 Art held the title of 'the highest art museum in the world.' It contributed to the development of culture and arts by showcasing world-renowned works as well as pieces by emerging Korean artists.
For its final exhibition, 63 Art will present 'Max Dalton: Moments in Film.' Max Dalton is a graphic designer who expresses iconic movie scenes through unique illustrations. 63 Art also sells special postcards where visitors can write their wishes. When a wish is written on a postcard and hung on the Wall of Wishes, it will be burned at the 2025 Jeju Fire Festival.
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