Busan Ramen Festival Faces Backlash Over Poor Management

The 2025 World Ramen Festival in Busan has come under fire due to severe mismanagement, with the event's organizers going silent and leaving participating vendors unpaid. The festival, which was supposed to run from May 2 to May 11 at the Gijang Osiria tourist complex, has faced a barrage of criticism from attendees and local organizations alike.

Reports indicate that many food truck operators who participated in the festival have withdrawn, citing unpaid fees as their reason for departure. Furthermore, planned performances were also canceled due to the lack of payment for contracts, leaving the event in disarray. The situation has escalated to the point where the festival may not fulfill its scheduled duration.

According to KNN News, the festival was marketed as featuring over 2,200 ramen brands from 15 countries, but the reality was far less impressive. Visitors who paid an admission fee of 10,000 won expressed their disappointment, noting that the ramen selection was limited to just three domestic varieties and three from Southeast Asia. One attendee remarked, "I have more variety in my own pantry," while another lamented, "I paid to experience a refugee camp."

Moreover, many festival-goers complained about the lack of hot water, stating they had to use lukewarm water to prepare their ramen. Some reported waiting over 30 minutes just to receive a single serving, which only compounded their dissatisfaction. The festival's official portal site has recorded a dismal rating of 0.7 out of 5, indicating widespread discontent among attendees.

As the festival's reputation plummeted, refund requests began pouring in from disgruntled customers. However, attempts to contact the organizers via the phone number listed on the official website were met with an automated message stating that the number was no longer in service. This has led to speculation that the organizers have effectively gone into hiding.

The fallout from the festival has not only affected attendees but has also sparked a public outcry directed at the Busan City Council. Critics have accused the council of providing unconditional sponsorship to the event without proper oversight. In a joint statement, local civic groups including the Busan Participation Solidarity and the Healthy Social Welfare Solidarity condemned the council's actions. They argued, "While public funds are being withheld for legitimate public hospital budgets under procedural pretexts, the council has uncritically endorsed a private event with no verification. This is a betrayal of the citizens."

Despite the council's defense that they merely permitted the use of their name in a sponsorship capacity and did not involve themselves in the planning or execution of the festival, the public remains skeptical. Civic groups have labeled this stance as irresponsible and criticized the council for its lack of principles in decision-making.

Adding to the controversy, it was revealed that the Busan City Council had already canceled its sponsorship of the event back in March, withdrawing its support. Nevertheless, the council's name still appears on the list of sponsors, which has further fueled public outrage. Critics have pointed out the inconsistency in the council's actions, questioning how they could endorse a festival that had already been deemed problematic.

In their statement, the civic organizations demanded transparency in the council's sponsorship decision-making process and called for an immediate explanation and apology to the public. They emphasized that the dual standard of withholding support for public health initiatives while backing a dubious private event was hypocritical.

The festival's troubles have also drawn the attention of local politicians, with 18 members of the Busan National Assembly listed as supporters on the festival's website. This association has raised concerns that the political fallout could extend beyond the city council to the broader political landscape in Busan.

As the festival continues to unravel, the disappointment among citizens grows. One local resident expressed hope that future events would not feature the names of the city council and local lawmakers, advocating for a higher standard in public endorsements. The sentiment reflects a broader desire for accountability and transparency in how public funds and endorsements are managed.

In summary, the 2025 World Ramen Festival has not only failed to meet the expectations of its attendees but has also sparked significant backlash against the Busan City Council for its lack of oversight and accountability. As the festival faces potential collapse, the implications of this mismanagement could resonate throughout the local political landscape, prompting calls for reform in how such events are organized and supported.