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<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nOver the past few days, I\u2019ve been wondering: when did I, someone who used to think Kaohsiung was boring, start letting go of that old perception?<\/p>\n
\u25e6 Once a Kaohsiung local who never knew where to take friends<\/span><\/h6>\nIn the past, when friends visited Kaohsiung or asked for recommendations on what to eat or do, my answers depended on how close we were. If we were close, I\u2019d say, \u201cLet\u2019s go to Tainan for street food!\u201d If not, I\u2019d fall back on the same old suggestions\u2014Xiziwan, Mount Chai, Pier-2 Art Center, or Weiwuying. Otherwise, I\u2019d just tell them to head straight to Kenting.<\/p>\n
\u25e6 Suddenly, every week became packed with events<\/span><\/h6>\nPutting politics aside, sometime after the new city administration took office, I began to notice something surprising\u2014there seemed to be events every single week. One moment it was BLACKPINK and TWICE performing at the National Stadium; the next, Super Junior and OneRepublic were singing at the Kaohsiung Arena. Even the Asia Artist Awards (AAA) were brought to Kaohsiung. Most exciting of all, Park Bo-gum held a fan meeting here\u2014and was even spotted jogging at Central Park in the morning. Friends from northern Taiwan, who rarely used to travel south, now often come just to attend concerts and events. They\u2019ve even started jokingly complaining to me that they have to keep booking high-speed rail tickets and hotels again.<\/p>\n
\u25e6 The whole city came alive<\/span><\/h6>\nThe festive atmosphere wasn\u2019t limited to event days\u2014it spilled into everyday life.\nWhen BLACKPINK came, the entire city turned pink, with large installations, metro stations, and even streetlights transformed into a BLACKPINK universe. This time, One Piece was no different\u2014there were Chopper footprints on the ground and Chopper-themed decorations on streetlights, leaving fans absolutely delighted.<\/p>\n
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<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nHaving lived in Kaohsiung for over 30 years, I still remember when passing by the Love River as a child meant holding my breath and walking quickly to avoid the stench. Now, the area has become a popular venue for large-scale events. It feels almost unbelievable\u2014but more than that, it fills me with a deep sense of relief and appreciation. I truly hope this vibrancy and prosperity will continue.<\/p>\n
Putting politics aside, sometime after the new city administration took office, I began to notice something surprising\u2014there seemed to be events every single week. One moment it was BLACKPINK and TWICE performing at the National Stadium; the next, Super Junior and OneRepublic were singing at the Kaohsiung Arena. Even the Asia Artist Awards (AAA) were brought to Kaohsiung. Most exciting of all, Park Bo-gum held a fan meeting here\u2014and was even spotted jogging at Central Park in the morning. Friends from northern Taiwan, who rarely used to travel south, now often come just to attend concerts and events. They\u2019ve even started jokingly complaining to me that they have to keep booking high-speed rail tickets and hotels again.<\/p>\n
\u25e6 The whole city came alive<\/span><\/h6>\nThe festive atmosphere wasn\u2019t limited to event days\u2014it spilled into everyday life.\nWhen BLACKPINK came, the entire city turned pink, with large installations, metro stations, and even streetlights transformed into a BLACKPINK universe. This time, One Piece was no different\u2014there were Chopper footprints on the ground and Chopper-themed decorations on streetlights, leaving fans absolutely delighted.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nHaving lived in Kaohsiung for over 30 years, I still remember when passing by the Love River as a child meant holding my breath and walking quickly to avoid the stench. Now, the area has become a popular venue for large-scale events. It feels almost unbelievable\u2014but more than that, it fills me with a deep sense of relief and appreciation. I truly hope this vibrancy and prosperity will continue.<\/p>\n
<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nHaving lived in Kaohsiung for over 30 years, I still remember when passing by the Love River as a child meant holding my breath and walking quickly to avoid the stench. Now, the area has become a popular venue for large-scale events. It feels almost unbelievable\u2014but more than that, it fills me with a deep sense of relief and appreciation. I truly hope this vibrancy and prosperity will continue.<\/p>\n