For $17, you could get a sashimi meal or a good portion of cod steak. Or you can visit the COEX Aquarium in Seoul and gush at how cute the creatures you’d otherwise eat are.

The COEX Aquarium is located in a huge underground dungeon of a shopping mall and contains the most Korean kids I’ve seen in one location. It features outrageously elaborate gimmicky sets that occupy a lot of space and ensure that said kids aren’t bored after 5 minutes. I can’t complain though. The sets turn out surprisingly well in photographs despite the low lighting.

Yes, those are bats. There’s no reason why they should be in an aquarium but hey, if you squint they kind of look like big hairy winged fish that happen to hang upside down on branches. It’d have been more exciting if they were hanging on top of a pond full of piranhas but I guess the guys behind the gimmicks haven’t thought of that yet.

Piranhas are strange fish. Usually, I’d get fed after waving my arms around and making a lot of noise. The piranhas adopt a different tactic. They stay completely still in water. You’ll be hard pressed to know if they’re alive or real, even. I guess that’s what makes them so effective as predators.

These are pretty strange-looking fish too. I don’t know what they’re called but they’re like the fish equivalent of Terminator. They’ve got Arnie’s jawline and intensity.

The jellyfish had UV lights installed in their tanks to make them more appealing to the public. Fit some of them in a stick and you can attend rave parties all night long.

Ever wondered what happened to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles after the 80s? They found jobs as aquarium exhibits, that’s what. Cowabunga.

I can’t say I’m that impressed with the rest of the fish. It makes for a good 1-2 hour diversion for sure but for $17, so would a good fish and chips.