WHAT will attract more viewers — a rare marine species like the Russian beluga or an SMS-eating whale that grows bigger with each feed?

Whatever the answer, the former is displayed at Korea’s biggest aquarium and the latter, on a 218m x 30m LCD screen. These are sure to be a hit with visitors to the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea.

Also vying for attention are the Big-O — the giant “O” that serves as a grand backdrop for a floating stage, and Sky Tower, a 63m-high abandoned silo which have been transformed into artistic masterpieces.

These are some of the attractions spread across several thematic facilities at the expo on until August at the New Port area in Yeosu, about an hour’s flight south from Seoul.

The expo is considered one of the world’s “big three” events along with the Olympics and the World Cup. There are more than 60 pavilions featuring 150 countries and 10 international organisations like the United Nations,

Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

Malaysia is one of the participating countries and its pavilion is headed by the Ministry Of Natural Resources And Environment. Its theme is Biodiversity Haven: A Gift From Nature, with the tagline A Sea Of Life, A Harmony Of Living.

Other participating countries are Japan, Thailand, Australia, America, Europe and the Middle East.

Themed The Living Ocean And Coast, the expo is designed to form a model city exhibiting a low-carbon lifestyle— of the future.

It is held as a global gathering seeking to preserve the environment and achieve co-prosperity between the seas and humankind.

Korea Expo overseas marketing division director Cho Dong Wook says the project is an international cooperation programme aimed to support developing countries in their efforts to deal with marine environment issues.

“There are many educational programmes on the importance of marine life to human nature,” he says.

The expo introduces the latest marine transportation system,  highlights maritime cultural progress and development of cutting-edge marine technology like marine resource exploration technologies.

“Our vision is to build a green economy that keeps the ocean healthy through clean technologies,” says Cho, who  adds that the US$1.91 billion (RM5.73 billion) project will stimulate national and regional economies.

On top of that, with its world-class infrastructure and facilities, Yeosu hopes to become a popular tourist destination in South Korea. Some 10 million visitors are expected to visit the three-month expo.

Tickets are available at www.expo2012.kr or ticket.interpark.com. For more information, email tickethelp@interpark.com.