“Thanks to Wonie, the place was bustling… Now the beach is a mess after heavy rain”

Deokpo Beach in Geoje, South Korea, once a vibrant tourist spot, now lies in ruins after record-breaking rainfall caused widespread destruction. The normally sandy shores are a chaotic mess, strewn with branches, weeds, and trash washed ashore by the torrential downpour. Deep gouges mark the sand where the powerful currents eroded the beach, exposing rocks and pebbles.

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This year, thanks to Wonie, we had many tourists, but now the beach is like this because of the heavy rain.

Vendors who rely on the summer tourist season are expressing deep concern over the damage. "This year, thanks to Wonie, we had many tourists, but now the beach is like this because of the heavy rain," lamented Lee Young-ho, an 80-year-old shop owner at the beach. He noted that just last weekend, the beach was packed with visitors, but now, residents and shopkeepers are working to clear the debris instead of welcoming vacationers.

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Just last weekend, the beach was packed with visitors, but now it's like this.

The beach gained national attention after being featured in a YouTube content by Wonie, a member of the K-pop group cignature. This exposure had significantly boosted visitor numbers, making the current state of devastation particularly disheartening for the local community. With the peak tourist season extending until the end of August, the damage poses a significant threat to the local economy, leaving residents worried about the financial impact.

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It's the peak season for tourists until the end of the month, and I'm worried.