"I Didn't Release the Shark, but I'd Like to Bring Over a Few Boxes of Mackerel, at Least," Cafe Owner Says. Why?

[Financial News] Busan's North Port Waterfront Park is enjoying an unexpected "shark windfall." The park has been bustling not only on weekends but also on weekdays as people from across the country flock to see a shark spotted in its waterway.
Another business has benefited from the crowds drawn by the shark: a franchise cafe near the waterfront park. Visitors who came to see the shark ordered drinks there, prompting jokes that the cafe owner might be the sighting's biggest beneficiary.
On July 19, when crowds poured in over the weekend, a social media user posted, "The biggest beneficiary of the shark sighting at North Port seems to be the cafe owner. It took 40 minutes for my drink to come out." The user added, "I don't know whether he was the owner or an employee, but the man said he didn't know what was going on either. Perhaps because he could no longer handle it, he said they wouldn't take orders until 5 p.m."
The post drew attention, prompting a series of comments, including, "I waited more than 30 minutes too. The owner looks likely to post his highest sales ever today," "There's a store near the parking lot entrance, but there aren't any convenience stores nearby, so everyone ended up there," and "I have reasonable suspicions that the owner released the shark. I should go too."
The cafe owner responded, "Because of the sudden appearance of the shark, employees from another store, in addition to our regular staff, my wife and I all made drinks, but it still wasn't enough." The owner added, "I apologize to customers who received their drinks late or left without them, those who canceled their orders and left, and all our customers."
The owner continued, "Rumors that I released the shark, am feeding it, or am blocking its way to the sea are amusing, but they are not true. I want to make it clear that I honestly feel like going to Jagalchi Market right now to buy and bring back a few boxes of mackerel, at least." The owner also wrote, "I will work harder to provide even better service. This issue will probably make it even harder to hire part-time workers."
Meanwhile, the shark was first spotted at the waterfront park on the morning of July 18. According to the National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) and other authorities, it was identified as the endangered Mutae shark, a species that inhabits waters mainly around the East Sea and Jeju Island. NIFS said reports of Mutae sharks appearing in Korean coastal waters have continued amid rising water temperatures, and that the shark may have entered the North Port waterway while following its prey.

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