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| July 22nd, 2024 Korea Wellness News |
Welcome to our latest blog post, where we explore the exciting developments in Korea Wellness as of July 22nd, 2024.
Renowned for its innovation and holistic approach, Korea Wellness continues to set the pace in the global wellness industry.
In this post, we delve into the nation's newest AI-driven health monitoring systems, offering real-time insights that empower individuals to take charge of their well-being.
We also highlight the booming Korea Wellness tourism sector, attracting global visitors eager to experience traditional Korean practices like Hanbang and modern wellness retreats.
Furthermore, we discuss the government's increased funding for mental health services, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to wellness that includes mental, physical, and emotional health.
Join us as we uncover how Korea Wellness is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, setting a global standard.
Whether you're a wellness enthusiast, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about innovative health practices, this post provides valuable insights into the future of Korea Wellness.
Read on to discover how Korea Wellness is shaping the world of wellness today.
Leading the way in wellness and innovation, 'Yongpyong Valley' takes a fresh start for a healthy future
Mona Yongpyong announced the launch of 'Yongpyong Valley Corporation' on the 19th, launching a new business centred on wellness. The launching ceremony was attended by Mona Yongpyong CEO Shin Dal-soon, local leaders, and representatives from related organisations. Shin shared the company's vision and goals, and revealed various plans to provide customers with a healthy lifestyle and happiness.
Yongpyong Valley plans to expand its business to non-food products as well as food, and introduce Hallyu products to the world through overseas expansion. In particular, it plans to strengthen its position in the wellness market by expanding its eco-friendly food business utilising natural ingredients.
Since the establishment of the food division, the company has developed healthy foods such as hydrangea tea and xylitol from Balwangsan, and products such as kimchi, makgeolli, and Hwangtae gopchang kimchi from Balwangsan have been well received by consumers. Based on this, the newly launched Yongpyong Valley aims to become a global leader in health and wellness.
In particular, Hallyu actress Lee Young-ae has joined as an investor, which is expected to increase the company's recognition and credibility. New products planned to be released this year include 'Spicy Hwangtae Ramyun', 'Balwangsan Hydrangea Tea Ulgum Instant Rice', and 'Organic Balwangsan Hydrangea Tea RTD Drink'. Of these, 'Hwangtae Ramyun' is expected to be a major product targeting the global popularity of K-ramyun and the wellness market.
The company is conducting innovative research and development in collaboration with various research institutions such as Seoul National University and Kookmin University, and will establish the Balwangsan Food Research Centre to provide a platform for customers to experience eco-friendly food products. "Yongpyong Valley will provide a healthy and wellness lifestyle and grow into a global company," said Shin Dal-soon, CEO of Yongpyong Valley.
In addition, as part of its ESG management, Yongpyong Valley plans to cooperate with the local community and pursue balanced local economic development and win-win through social contributions. The company aims to achieve sustainable development through various social contribution activities such as supporting paediatric patients, supporting local small businesses, and environmental protection activities.
Summer with wellness at domestic hotels and resorts
With the summer holiday season in full swing, the domestic hotel and resort industry is offering a variety of events related to wellness. They offer special experiences that make you feel like you're on an overseas trip, and you can enjoy a unique summer holiday in Korea.
**Park Hyatt Busan offers luxury yacht tour with 'Culture at the Park Yacht Package'
Park Hyatt Busan is offering guests the opportunity to explore the beautiful waters of Busan from a luxury yacht during the summer season with the Culture at the Park Yacht Package. The yacht tour will take in the sights of Busan, including Marine City, Camellia Island, Haeundae, and Gwangan Bridge, while enjoying the refreshing ocean views. The package includes a welcome drink and Park Hyatt Busan's signature seal keyring, creating a unique summer memory. Stays are available until 30 September, with rates starting from KRW 360,000 for two people.
**Paradise Hotel Busan: Soak up the Balinese vibes at 'The Beach Lounge'
Paradise Hotel Busan's 'The Beach Lounge' is an outdoor garden decorated with a Balinese beach motif, offering a variety of gourmet dishes while enjoying the romantic night sea. Open daily from 5pm to midnight until 31 August, it will make you feel like you've been transported to Bali with its Balinese-style photo zone, exotic cuisine and premium cocktails. The menu includes tacos, seafood skewers, and speciality cocktails.
**WE HOTEL JEJU, 'Stargazing' with the shooting stars
For one night only on 12 August, WE Hotel Jeju is offering a 'Shooting Star Package' where guests can enjoy unlimited draft beer while watching the shooting stars from the rooftop deli. The package includes a one-night stay in a room, buffet breakfast, shooting star and unlimited draft beer promotions, wellness programmes and more, and is priced from KRW 300,000. Thanks to Seogwipo City's geographical advantage, guests can enjoy a special summer night with the best conditions for observing the meteor shower.
These unique wellness-focused summer packages will make you feel like you're travelling abroad from home, and are an attractive option for those planning a healthy and enjoyable holiday.
Chuzado's wellness development challenges amid a shrinking population
Chuja Island is struggling with a declining population. With a population that has halved in 15 years, the island is now classified as a high-risk area for extinction. The number of students at Xinyang National School, which once had 565 students, is now down to one, and the number of students at all schools is also declining.
The population of Chujiado has shrunk from 6,771 in 1968 to 1,573 in 2023, with the elderly population aged 65 and over accounting for 39.8 per cent of the total, and very few teenagers and children. Only 1 per cent of the population are women of childbearing age.
The main reason for the population decline is the departure of the fishing fleet, a major industry. With the majority of the trawlers relocating to Hallim in Jeju City, Chujado is facing a lack of jobs and economic hardship. In response to this, Jeju Island is developing wellness-related development projects, such as the Chuja Treasure Island Silk Road, but these policies are likely to have limited success in stemming the population decline.
Chuja Island is trying to revitalise tourism and the local economy by developing wellness in rural areas. There are various efforts to build wellness plazas, waterfront parks, and renovate beaches, but it remains to be seen whether these developments will solve the population decline problem.
Seorak-dong, Sokcho, is re-emerging as a centre for wellness tourism, with the opening of a skywalk and a suspension bridge
The city of Sokcho has completed construction of a skywalk and a suspension bridge to enhance tourism infrastructure in Seorak-dong, and held an opening ceremony on the 19th. The project is part of the 'Seorak-dong Reconstruction Project', which was carried out with an investment of KRW 10 billion out of a total project cost of KRW 26.4 billion, and created a new walking path, 'Seorak Hyangro', with a total length of 863 metres, consisting of a small park of 1,724 square metres, a 765-metre-long skywalk, and a 98-metre-long Chulung Bridge.
The Seorak Hyanggyeong Road is connected to the existing promenade to form a 2.7-kilometre circular promenade, and plans to provide a variety of attractions at night by installing high-assist lighting and firefly lights. This is expected to establish Seorak-dong as a new attraction for tourists.
Sokcho City has natural tourism resources including mountains, sea, lakes and hot springs, and plans to develop into a sustainable tourism city centred on wellness tourism, including the Seorak Hyanggyeong Road, Oeongnchi Sea Scent Road, Yeongnangho Barefoot Hwangtokgil, and Chaksan Barefoot Walking Trail.
Mayor Lee Byung-sun of Sokcho said, "The Seorak Hyangro project, which is an important project for the renaissance of tourism in Seorak-dong, will make a great contribution to revitalising the local economy." He said he would do his best to develop the region through continuous expansion of tourism infrastructure.
Inje-gun establishes cooperation system to create a wellness health city
Inje-gun is set to create a wellness health city. On the 22nd, Inje-gun signed a business agreement with the Korea Natural Medicine Research Institute and Seorak Beautiful Movement, Inc. to establish a cooperation system for the development of a future-oriented wellness health city. Inje-gun Chief Choi Sang-gi, Director Lee Si-hyung of the Korea Institute of Natural Medicine, and Chairman Kim Ji-hwan of Seorak Beautiful Movement will attend the agreement ceremony to discuss cooperation plans for mutual development.
The main contents of the agreement include creating a wellness and health city through joint use of information, developing tourism products and specialities, improving the immunity and quality of life of county residents, and attracting wellness-related companies and programmes. The Korea Institute of Natural Medicine will provide Inje-gun with policy advice on wellness health cities, while Seorak Beautiful Movement Co., Ltd. will help attract domestic and foreign wellness companies, run youth camps, and hold fairs.
Inje-gun was selected as the No. 1 K-Wellness City in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province in 2022, and plans to create a work-cation centre and recreation facilities using ecological resources and access to the metropolitan area, and respond to the transition to a leisure society such as four-day workweeks in the future. An official from Inje-gun said, "We will promote the growth of the living population and revitalisation of the local economy through the development of wellness tourism products using Baekdu Daegan."
Seorak-dong 'Seorak Hyangro' opens a new chapter in wellness tourism
Sokcho City, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, has expanded tourism infrastructure in Seorak-dong to introduce wellness tourism. On the 19th, the 'Seorak Hyangro Road', which has completed the construction of a skywalk and a suspension bridge, held an opening ceremony and began full-scale operation. The project is part of the 'Seorak-dong Reconstruction Project' with a total investment of KRW 26.4 billion, and has created a new 863-metre-long promenade, including a 1724㎡ small park, a 765-metre-long skywalk with a maximum height of 8m, and a 98-metre-long Chulung Bridge with a height of 15m from the riverbed. The promenade is connected to the existing promenade to form a 2.7 kilometre circular promenade, named 'Seorak Hyanggyeong-ro'.
The Seorak Hyanggyeong Road section will be equipped with landscape lighting such as high beams and firefly lights to provide various attractions at night. With this opening, Seorak-dong is expected to become the centre of tourism in the inland area of Sokcho City, attracting tourists and creating economic ripple effects. In particular, it is expected to be reborn as a healing and healing tourism city through various wellness tourism resources such as Seorak Scented Road, Oewongchi Sea Scented Road, Yeongnangho Barefoot Hwangtotgil, and Chaksan Barefoot Walking Trail.
"This is an important project for the rebirth of the Seorak-dong area, and we will continue to expand tourism infrastructure to revitalise the local economy," said Byung-sun Lee, mayor of Sokcho.
Wellness and healing meet, 'Mysterious Wellness Geochang' and 'Gochang, a healing sanctuary embracing the world' Sold out
BabaGround, the operator of the travel platform 'Playing Law', announced that its local tourism products 'Mysterious Wellness Geochang' and 'Gochang, a Healing Holy Land Embracing the World', developed with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, have been fully booked for the peak summer season. The products are designed for 'chonkangs' in Geochang, Gyeongnam and Gochang, Jeollabuk-do, and are priced at 186,000 won per person, including round-trip transport, meals, accommodation, and experiences. Currently, only the Friday departure and September packages remain.
Both packages are centred on wellness tourism and include a discount coupon of up to 50,000 won and a welcome kit. In particular, through joint marketing with Rail Coria, the product sold more than 30 million won in 10 days.
'Mysterious Wellness Geochang' is a programme based on the theme of healing and health in pristine nature, where visitors can experience the beautiful scenery and specialties of Geochang. 'Gochang, a Healing Sanctuary Embracing the World' is a healing programme centred on UNESCO World Heritage Sites and historical attractions.
Participants left positive reviews, expressing their satisfaction with the various activities, barbecue, clean accommodation, and delicious meals at the Gochang Experience Village. "We hope to showcase the potential of local tourism through the Rural Creative Tour project, which we launched this year, and develop sustainable tourism models in cooperation with more regions in the future," said Heo Jung, CEO of Baba Ground.
Seorhaewon, a family resort where wellness, golf and hot springs meet
Seorhaewon, a resort that embraces Seoraksan Mountain and the East Sea, is attracting attention for its diverse facilities and programmes that cater to the entire family. The resort is a tailor-made wellness resort that can be enjoyed by all three generations, including mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, and children, and has recently received a great response from visitors.
**Heal with wellness and hot springs
One of Seorhaewon's biggest attractions is its high-quality hot springs. Seorhaewon offers hot spring water aged between 1.9 billion-year-old gneiss and 230 million-year-old granite, and is the first resort in Korea to introduce a direct water supply system, ensuring that the water is always fresh. In particular, there is an open-air spa where families can enjoy hot springs and private hot spring rooms, offering various types of hot spring bathing.
**Harmonising golf and wellness
The resort is also a paradise for golf lovers. Seorhaewon's golf course has been ranked among the top 10 golf courses in Korea and has been praised by world golf legends. After a round of golf, you can soothe away your fatigue in the hot springs, providing the perfect combination of health and wellness.
**Lots of programmes for kids
There are plenty of programmes for children. There is a kids' zone, games zone, library and letter room to keep them entertained. Special programmes such as Kids Golf Classes are designed to get kids excited about golf and provide family fun.
**Personalised resort experience
Seorhaewon offers 74 rooms in 17 different room types to customise your stay to suit your family's diverse lifestyle and personality. The rooms are spacious with a maximum area of 1254 square metres (approximately 380 square feet), allowing guests to enjoy wellness and healing in a private and comfortable environment.
Seorhaewon is a resort that combines wellness, golf, and hot springs, making it the perfect holiday destination for the whole family.
Wellness and a 4-day workweek: Inje-gun spurs health city development
Inje-gun, Gangwon-do, is in full swing to create a wellness city. Inje-gun announced on the 21st that it will sign a business agreement with the Korea Natural Medicine Research Institute and Seorak Beautiful Movement on the 22nd to establish a cooperation system to create a future-oriented wellness city.
The main contents of the agreement include joint use of information for a wellness health city, development of tourism products and specialties, improvement of immunity and quality of life of county residents, and attraction of wellness-related companies and programmes. The Korea Research Institute of Natural Medicine will serve as an advisor on wellness city policies, while the Seorak Beautiful Movement will help attract domestic and foreign wellness companies, run youth camps, and hold fairs.
Inje-gun was selected as the first K-Wellness City in Gangwon-do in 2022, and is building work-cation centres and recreational facilities using its excellent ecological resources and access to the metropolitan area. Through this agreement, Inje-gun plans to actively respond to the transition to a leisure society, such as the four-day work week.
Inje-gun said it will develop such wellness-based tourism products and strive to revitalise the local economy. Inje-gun is expected to become a sustainable tourism city centred on health and wellness.
Wellness and travel synergy: Gwangju and Jeollanam-do launch joint tourism products
Gwangju and Jeollanam-do have jointly launched a tourism product that combines wellness and tourism. Gwangju City Tours and Namdo Hanbari are two tourism products launched through the cooperation of the two regions, offering different tourist destinations and courses that are expected to have synergistic effects.
Gwangju City Tours operates courses that visit Hwasun Red Wall and Damyang Sogyeokwon on Fridays and Sundays, and Hampyeong Natural Ecological Park, Glory Baekje Buddhist Doraegi, and Baeksu Coastal Road on Saturdays and Sundays. Namdohanwari offers products including Gwangju Lake Ecological Park and Hwasun-Damyang off-the-beaten-path tour on Tuesdays and Hampyeong-Muan romantic date course on Fridays.
The two tourism products are aimed at effective cooperation through marketing that links wellness and MICE (corporate meeting, incentive travel, convention and exhibition) tourism. Gwangju and Jeonnam are also aiming to become a tourism mecca by strengthening their global tourism marketing, including expanding regular flights to Muan International Airport and participating in the K-Tourism Roadshow.
The joint tourism product between Gwangju and Jeonnam is also important as part of the mega-city promotion to revitalise the local economy and overcome the risk of rural decline. The regions are strengthening their tourism competitiveness by leveraging their attractive tourism resources, including rich natural scenery, rich history, and colourful food cultures, and are enhancing their overall infrastructure, including transport and accommodation, to provide a more convenient and fulfilling travel experience.
The collaboration is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy during the summer holiday season and provide travellers with an unforgettable wellness experience and trip.
Wellness and local university innovation: a new alternative to public-private partnerships
As the crisis in local universities deepens, Dongshin University, Chodang University, and Mokpo University of Science and Technology in Jeonnam are jointly proposing a new model called University Community Collaboration (UCC). They plan to contribute to regional and national development through an innovative education model called 'UCC I-N-G Campus'.
**The UCC I-N-G Campus aims to overcome the crisis of local universities by providing customised education in various fields, including local-based industries and wellness industries. The 'I-Campus' fosters talents for Jeonnam's future industries such as new energy, green bio, future agriculture, and marine tourism convergence, while the 'N-Campus' fosters talents for local-based industries to revitalise the local economy and specialised industries. The 'G-Campus' will serve as a hub for securing global competitiveness and attracting foreign students.
This model puts special emphasis on the wellness industry, which is a regional specialised industry and promotes the development of human resources and companies in the wellness field. Wellness-related industries are expected to contribute to the revitalisation of the local economy and the influx of young people. UCC will also introduce a no-major, no-department system and a flexible degree system to enhance the diversity and practicality of education.
These efforts will strengthen cooperation between the local community and the university, and are being seen as a practical solution to overcome the local attrition crisis. Together, the universities will utilise local idle facilities as teaching spaces, and co-operate with businesses and local authorities to ensure students' residency and employment.
The UCC model is similar to the APU models of Germany's Mittelstadt University and Japan's Ritsumeikan University, but it is expected to increase residency and employment rates by focusing on cultivating talent tailored to local-based industries. This innovative model marks a new turning point for local universities and is expected to foster the co-growth of the local economy and wellness industry.
Wellness and Foodtech: Innovative Drivers of the Future Food Industry
It has been argued that foodtech is driving the future of the food industry. Lee Ki-won, chairman of the Korea Foodtech Council, defines foodtech as an innovative field that encompasses "the entire process of eating, from food production to storage, delivery, and health management," and is solving complex problems in the food industry.
**Foodtech is more than just food technology; it takes a holistic approach that includes meal preparation, consumption, and health management. For example, Samsung's smart fridge utilises AI technology to help manage ingredients and recommend recipes, which is directly related to wellness. Foodtech is also focused on solving health-related issues, which is evolving to emphasise the importance of care food and pet food in an ageing society.
The Korean foodtech market is highly competitive in the global market through innovative technologies such as digital healthcare, leading to the proliferation of consumer-customised alternative products. Alternative foods and eco-friendly packaging are also becoming an important part of foodtech. Lee emphasises that foodtech is collaborating with various industries to solve complex problems, and is expected to be an integral part of the future wellness industry.
South Korea's foodtech sector is already an important player in the global market, with various tech companies collaborating to provide innovative solutions. Lee believes that the foodtech industry will become a growth engine for the future, and that relevant laws will be passed soon to contribute to the industry's development.
Competition in wellness and healthcare devices: Samsung, the ring leader?
The market for wearable healthcare devices is changing. The emergence of ring-type devices in this market, which was previously dominated by wristwatch-type devices, is creating a new competitive landscape in the wellness and medical device sectors. Domestic companies such as Samsung Electronics, Imedi Healthcare, and Sky Labs have entered this market in earnest and are attracting attention.
Samsung Electronics recently unveiled the Galaxy Ring, a ring-shaped wearable device, at the Galaxy Unpacked 2024 event in Paris, France. The Galaxy Ring is equipped with acceleration sensors, optical blood flow measurement sensors, and temperature sensors, and uses AI to monitor health status around the clock. It provides various functions such as sleep analysis, heart rate notifications, and automatic exercise detection, and works with the Samsung Health app to provide users with comprehensive wellness management.
Earlier this year, Imedi Healthcare launched a ring-shaped healthcare device called **Vital Ring**. Vital Ring monitors vital signs such as body temperature, heart rate, and respiration rate around the clock and transmits the information to the cloud via smartphone. It is currently marketed as a wellness product, but the company plans to add blood glucose and blood pressure measurement to make it a medical device.
SkyLabs has also received medical device approval for a ring-shaped blood pressure monitor called Cart BP. The device measures blood pressure using an optical blood flow sensor, analyses the data using AI, and sends it to a hospital. Cart BP monitors 24-hour blood pressure fluctuations and can be used to adjust medication dosages.
These companies are adopting different strategies in the wellness and medical device markets, and competition is expected to intensify in the future. Medical devices are highly reliable, but the licensing process is challenging, while wellness products are accessible but highly competitive. Companies will need to play to their strengths to capture the market.
From payments to wellness, the era of mMoney ends with card apps
The recent proliferation of payment methods using mobile devices and apps has led to mobile payments accounting for more than physical cards for the first time. According to the Bank of Korea, the share of mobile payments is expected to reach 50.5 per cent by 2023, and card companies are focusing on developing their own simple payment apps.
Hana Card supports 'Travelog', a specialised travel card, through the **Hana Money** app. It provides real-time exchange rate notifications and free foreign currency transfers, which is useful when travelling abroad. Shinhan Solpay enhances consumption and asset management functions, and also supports e-document services and train ticket booking.
NH Card supports QR code payments overseas and is currently running a limited summer discount event. Woori Card is expanding its travel-related services with the 'Woori WON Card' app, which supports flight and hotel bookings. KB Card's KB Pay offers a variety of financial functions along with foreign currency money services.
Samsung Financial Network is promoting financial service integration through its Monimo app, while Hyundai Card has introduced consumption data analysis and savings alerts to target 20- to 30-somethings. BC Card offers shopping rewards and automatic stock investment through its PayPal app, and Lotte Card offers personalised curation services through its Dizirocar app.
As such, card companies are integrating various functions such as payment, finance, and wellness into one app to provide customised services to consumers, and competition in the financial app market is becoming more intense.
Wellness and ESG Ride the Rental Industry's Sales War with Hotels
As the domestic market for water purifiers and other household appliances becomes saturated, the rental industry is looking for new opportunities. With the recent emphasis on wellness and ESG (environmental, social and governance) management in the hotel industry, rental companies are focusing on hotel sales.
With the penetration rate of water purifiers in South Korea reaching 50 per cent, rental companies are turning to overseas markets and business-to-business (B2B) transactions. This, coupled with the demand from hotels to reduce plastic use as part of their ESG management, has attracted the attention of the rental industry.
Since the beginning of this year, Coway has been working with Marriott-affiliated hotels to supply water dispensers to the L'Meridien Seoul Myeongdong and Courtyard Marriott Seoul Times Square. These hotels have installed water purifiers in all guest rooms, replacing the use of bottled water. The large-scale contract gives Coway the advantage of being able to supply many products in a single transaction.
SK magic is also active in the hotel business. It has installed eco-friendly water purifiers in various hotels of Walkerhill Hotels & Resorts and operates a dedicated hotel management and service team through its B2B team to provide one-stop service to customers. As environmental regulations restrict the use of disposable products, more hotels are introducing water dispensers.
The rental industry is capitalising on this trend to strengthen its ESG management and expand its market by offering wellness and environmentally friendly solutions. The hotel industry is considering water dispensers as part of its ESG efforts, and more hotels are likely to consider installing them in the future.
Wellness and environmental innovation: Navy ushers in the era of non-motorised activities with Barrage 3.0
The Namhae Coast Guard is building an innovative non-motorised activity convergence system through the 'Namhae Barae-gil 3.0' project. The project will go beyond traditional walking trails and integrate various activities such as hiking, biking, trailering, and backpacking, transforming them into a new type of tourism resource that includes wellness experiences.
The Nankai Seaside Path 3.0 adopts a model that fuses various non-motorised modes of transport, benchmarking the Swiss mobility system. Switzerland has an annual economic impact of 1.2 trillion won by integrating multiple activities such as walking, climbing, and road biking, and the Namhae County plans to develop it into an ultra-long-distance linear resource of 608 to 700 kilometres.
As part of the project, the Angangda Forest will be transformed into a walking healing theme park and night tourist attraction, and projects are underway to prepare for the opening of a large resort and the Namhae-Yesu undersea tunnel, which will open next year. It will also offer new experiences to tourists through wellness programmes such as yoga, meditation and Nordic walking.
Namhae Barae-gil 3.0 is planned to officially open in the second half of 2026 after a pilot opening in the second half of 2025, with long-term plans aimed at globalisation and building a travel ecosystem from 2027 onwards. This innovative project is expected to highlight the Namhae as a domestic and international tourist destination, just like Jeju Olle.
Harmony of wellness and nature: summer freshness in Danyang
Danyang in Chungcheongbuk-do is known as the 'Sunshine Wellness City' and offers a variety of natural scenery and wellness experiences. Ondalsanseong Fortress, Ondal Cave, Mancheon Skywalk, and Danyang Zandogil, which are representative attractions of Danyang, provide a refreshing wellness experience in summer.
Ondalsanseong Fortress is a historical site where the battle between Goguryeo and Silla was fierce, and you can feel the historical atmosphere while overlooking the Namhan River and Sobaeksan Mountain. Ondal Cave is a mysterious place where you can admire stalactites that were created 450 million years ago, maintaining a cool temperature of 15 degrees all year round.
Danyang's Manchunha Skywalk is a circular observation deck with 360-degree views of Sobaeksan Mountain, Geumsusan Mountain and the Namhan River. In addition to the dizzying heights of the skywalk, you can also experience the thrill of zip-wires and an alpine coaster.
Another attraction in Danyang is Danuri Aquarium and Danyang Zandogil. At the Danuri Aquarium, you can observe freshwater ecology and rare fish species, while the Zandogil Trail allows you to walk on the cliffs of the Namhan River and experience the beauty of nature up close, like a miniature version of the Jangga system.
Danyang is showing new charm as a summer destination through the harmony of wellness and nature, and is recommended as the best place to experience the freshness and healing of summer.
Wellness and Tourism Innovation: Gwangju Tourism Organization's 1st Anniversary Achievements and Vision
The Gwangju Tourism Organization has celebrated its first anniversary. Established in July last year through the merger of the Kimdaejung Convention Centre and the Gwangju Tourism Foundation, the Gwangju Tourism Organization is leading change and innovation with the goal of 'Exciting Gwangju'. To realise the goal of the eighth civilian administration, 'Honey Jam City, where imagination becomes reality', the Gwangju Tourism Organization has established an integrated platform for tourism and MICE and is making achievements in various fields, including wellness tourism.
Since its launch, the Gwangju Tourism Organization has recorded the largest revenue in its history and has achieved remarkable results in G-Festa, the development of Gwangju's unique tourism products, and enterprise development. In particular, it is focusing on developing wellness tourism products and regional tourism that are unique to Gwangju to revitalise the local economy and tourism industry.
Three Areas for Tourism Innovation Management innovation includes structural innovation, tourism innovation, and management innovation. Structural innovations include establishing an efficient collaboration system and governance, while tourism innovations include launching tourism products with various themes such as sports, gastronomy, and art, and promoting the G-Festa Gwangju project, which connects local festivals and exhibitions.
The Gwangju Tourism Organization is also engaged in large-scale tourism development projects, such as the creation of a wellness tourism hub, to promote staycation tourism. In addition, the agency has established a dedicated informatisation department and is promoting data standardisation and information security through digital transformation.
"We have been working day and night to take a new leap forward in Gwangju tourism, and we will continue to create 'Exciting Gwangju' through change and innovation," said President Kim Jin-kang. The Gwangju Tourism Organization plans to pursue continuous development and growth, with the goal of reaching 30 million visitors to the city by 2026.
Yeongdeok Blue Road, a new mecca for wellness tourism
As interest in wellness tourism has surged since the coronavirus pandemic, Yeongdeok Blue Road has become the centre of attention. According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), the global wellness tourism market is expected to triple from $435.7 billion in 2020 to $1,127.6 billion in 2025, and Korea is growing at more than 20 per cent annually.
The Yeongdeok Blue Road is the first coastal perimeter trail in Korea outside of Jeju Island, offering a variety of tourist attractions and scenery over a total of 64.6 kilometres. Established in 2009, the trekking route is divided into A to D, each with its own unique characteristics and highlights. The 'Path of Indigo Waves' (Course D) includes Jangsa Beach, Yeongdeok Rural Folklore Exhibition Centre, and Samsa Marine Park, while the 'Path of Light and Wind' (Course A) passes by wind farms and marine environment experience centres.
Yeongdeok Blue Road has been named a must-visit tourist destination for Koreans and has won awards from Forbes Korea and the Korea CEO Awards. Recently, Yeongdeok-gun formed a dedicated team to develop the Blue Road, and plans to add eight themed roads and new tourist facilities, with the goal of making the Blue Road the best wellness tourism destination in Korea.
In particular, the development of experiential infrastructure utilising attractions such as Gwanu-dae on Sangdansan Mountain is attracting attention. This is the only place in Korea that offers a panoramic view of 20 kilometres of baked sandy beach and the largest alluvial plain on the east coast, and is set to become a centre for wellness tourism and experience infrastructure.
"We will move towards the centre of wellness tourism and make Blue Road a growth engine for Yeongdeok," said Kim Kwang-yeol, Yeongdeok-gun, and announced plans to develop Blue Road into a wellness tourism mecca in cooperation with Gyeongsangbuk-do.
Introducing the charm of Jeungpyeong-gun, the centre of wellness tourism
Jeungpyeong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, participated in the 2024 Korea International Tourism Expo to promote the region's tourism attractions. The fair was held at KINTEX in Ilsan from 19 to 22 July, with 217 domestic and international exhibitors participating in the event to exchange tourism content and information.
Jipyeong-gun actively introduced major tourist destinations in the region, including Belfore Resort, Jwagusan Recreation Land, Bicycle Park, and Jipyeongin Samgol Festival. In particular, Jwagusan Recreation Land is designated as an excellent wellness tourism destination by the Korea Tourism Organization and is equipped with various wellness facilities, including a meditation cloud bridge and a forest character school. Belfore Resort is the largest leisure complex in the central region, with an international standard karting arena, sheep farm, and summerland, and is very popular among families.
During the fair, Jeungpyeong-gun organised additional events on the Jwagusan Observatory's KakaoTalk channel and a racing kart exhibition and photo zone at Belforest Resort to engage visitors. It also promoted the local donation system through an event where visitors who donated to the Hometown Love Donation System were given a voucher for an overnight stay at Belforest Resort.
"Through this fair, we hope that the wellness tourism attraction of Jeungpyeong will be widely known and that many tourists will visit," said Lee Jae-young, mayor of Jeungpyeong-gun, adding, "We will continue to develop and promote unique tourism contents."
Intensive wellness education launched in collaboration between HUBASE and Welver
Pharmacy chain HUBASE (CEO Kim Hyun-ik) will launch an online crash course in August in collaboration with Wellver. Wellver is a pharmacy-only nutraceutical brand with pharmacists directly involved in formulation development, and the collaboration aims to revitalise pharmacy management.
Hubase's online education platform, Hubase Campus, provides professional training for pharmacists, and the collaboration with Welver will be an intensive 10-lesson (10-hour) training programme. The course is titled "Wise Wellver Life [Advanced Academic and Practical]" and covers the academic knowledge and practical application of Wellver's flagship products, Absolute Collagen, MunePostbiotics, and Wellness Enzymes.
"We have recruited lecturers with professional theoretical and practical experience to provide high-quality lectures," said Kim Hyun-joo, Co-CEO of Welver. "We hope that these lectures will help HUBASE member pharmacists activate counselling." The training will begin on 1 August, and the first 77 participants to complete the course within a month will receive a small gift.
This collaboration between HUBASE and Wellver is an effort to foster innovation in pharmacy management and a deeper understanding of the wellness field, and is expected to help pharmacists strengthen their professional and practice capabilities.
Sancheong's Summer Night Festival of Wellness and Light
Sancheong-gun will host the 'ON Sancheong Shining Summer Night Festival' from 26th to 27th at Josan Park in Sancheong-eup. The festival is designed to promote Sancheong as a wellness tourism destination by offering a summer night view and a variety of fun activities.
The festival will be organised under the theme of '5 Nights of Five Senses' and will welcome visitors with five main contents: night view, night food, night city, night story, and night story. Each content will feature a variety of events, including landscape illumination, gourmet food, flea markets, stage performances, and experiences.
On the 26th, the '2025 Sancheong Visitors' Year Proclamation Ceremony will be held, paving the way for Sancheong to become a wellness tourism city. After the proclamation ceremony, the concert 'Welcome to Sancheong' will be followed by performances by fusion gugak Granada and guest singer Lin, giving visitors the feeling of a summer night in Sancheong.
On the 27th, there will be a performance by guest singer Ahn Sung-hoon, as well as a psy-burger and K-POP cover dance collaboration, providing a fun and exciting summer night.
"This year's festival will offer more things to see and do than last year's," said Lee Seung-hwa, "and I hope you will enjoy the beautiful summer night in Sancheong with your family, friends, and lovers."
Wellness meets eco-friendly mobility, Namhae Barae-gil 3.0
Gyeongnam Namhae-gun is building an innovative tourism infrastructure that combines wellness and eco-friendly mobility through the 'Namhae Barae-gil 3.0' project. The Namhae Barae-gil 3.0 will provide new activity experiences for domestic and international tourists by integrating various wellness experience programmes such as hiking, biking, trail running, backpacking, yoga, meditation, and Nordic walking into the existing walking tour route.
The project is benchmarked on Switzerland's 'Swiss Mobility System', which will be expanded from 256 kilometres of 25 trails to an ultra-long-distance linear resource of 608 to 700 kilometres. The Swiss Mobility System is a leader in eco-friendly activity travel, integrating various activities such as walking, cycling and kayaking in one system with an annual economic impact of KRW 1.2 trillion.
Through the Barae-gil 3.0 project, Namhae-gun plans to make the most of the natural scenery of Namhae-gun and further enhance its tourism appeal by linking the Angangda Forest Walking Healing Theme Park and night tourist attractions. Starting with a trial opening in the second half of next year, the project aims to officially open in 2026, and from 2027, it is also considering globalisation and the construction of a specialised travel ecosystem.
"The Namhae Beach Trail is the best way to showcase the unique beauty of Namhae-gun," said Jang Chung-nam, governor of Namhae-gun. "It will revitalise local tourism resources through communication with residents and establish itself as a new model for wellness and eco-tourism."
The growth of wellness and Greek yoghurt, a new trend in healthy eating
The growth of Greek yoghurt has been driven by changing lifestyles and an increasing demand for healthy food. According to market research firm Euromonitor, the domestic fermented milk market is expected to reach KRW 2,249.8 billion by 2026, and Greek yoghurt is gaining traction.
According to a NielsenIQ Korea survey, the offline market for Greek yoghurt in Korea was worth about KRW 66.7 billion last year, up 46.2 per cent year-on-year, and it is leading the growth of the Hosang fermented milk market. Greek yoghurt is popular among the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z) as it boasts high protein despite its low sugar content due to the removal of water. In particular, Greek yoghurt has been ranked as one of the top five healthiest foods in the world because it supports gut health and is rich in calcium and protein.
Greek yoghurt has been introduced in Korea for more than 10 years, but its popularity only began in 2018-2019. It has continued to grow as a breakfast and diet food as the wellness lifestyle spreads.
Competition among brands is also intensifying, and small and medium-sized enterprises are standing out. Sweetbio's 'Greek Day' posted sales of 26.1 billion won last year, growing 45 per cent year-on-year. Sweetbio is expanding its brand awareness by opening 'Greek Day Go', a 24-hour store with a Mediterranean grocery market concept.
Fulmu Danone has expanded consumer choice by increasing the capacity of its Greek Signature Sugar-Free Plain 150g, and is introducing various recipes using Greek yoghurt through cooking classes. Dongwon F&B launched 'Danish Greek Original', which features a double whey separation process to improve texture and taste. Namyang Dairy and Seoul Milk Cooperative are also trying to expand their market share by launching new Greek yoghurt products.
According to industry insiders, Greek yoghurt is mainly popular among women in the 2030s, and consumption is expected to expand to children and seniors in the future. In line with the current trend towards wellness and health, the Greek yoghurt market is expected to continue to grow.
Wellness and PDRN: Beauty companies enter the bio-healthcare market
Recently, there has been a growing interest in PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) and PN (polynucleotide) ingredients in the beauty industry. As major Korean beauty companies such as APR and Hankook Colmar have entered this market, competition in the PDRN-PN market is intensifying.
PDRN and PN are ingredients that are effective in skin regeneration and anti-aging, and have recently gained high demand among consumers. These ingredients are gaining attention in the dermatological and cosmetic fields, and are also gaining attention in the wellness and high performance cosmetics markets as their efficacy is clinically proven.
APRN will produce PDRN and PN directly and will establish a dedicated factory in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, to manufacture related products. The plant is expected to be completed by the end of this year, with a size of 4,300 square metres on a site of approximately 13,000 square metres, and will expand its business into the medical device and bio-healthcare sectors. In addition, APR will also launch PDRN-based cosmetics under the Medicube brand.
Hankook Colmar has been working with biobeauty-related companies to register patents on PDRN production methods to enter related markets. In recent years, products using PDRN and PN have been gaining popularity due to their effectiveness in dermatology, and companies such as VT and Amorepacific have also launched related products to expand the market.
PDRN and PN are widely used in regenerative medicine and cosmetology because they are similar to human DNA, have fewer side effects, and have skin regeneration, angiogenesis promotion, and anti-inflammatory effects. PharmaResearch has been leading the market growth by commercialising PDRN and PN for the first time in Korea, and the global PDRN market is expected to reach about $7.68 billion by 2024.
Industry insiders believe that PDRNs are expected to achieve significant growth in the future as they are safer and scientifically proven to be effective compared to existing functional ingredients. Cosmetics containing PDRNs and PNs are expected to continue to grow in popularity as consumers favour clinically proven, high-potency products.
Wellness and health city: A New Beginning for Inje's Margijeong-ri Folk Art Complex
A folk art tourism complex in Hanje-ri, north-myeon, Inje-gun, will be transformed into a wellness and health city by a new operator. The folk art complex, which opened in 2004 after the discovery of hot spring water, has been neglected due to the bankruptcy of its operator, which has adversely affected the image of the area, but it has recently reached a new turning point with the purchase of 25,785 square metres of land by Seorak Beautiful Movement Co.
The company plans to develop the site into an experience space that includes accommodation, sports facilities, and a healing centre with the theme of detoxification and immunity enhancement. In particular, it will receive policy advice on creating a wellness health city from Lee Si-hyeong, president of the Korea Natural Medicine Research Institute, with the goal of creating a space that meets health, happiness, and well-being.
The county plans to use the project to strengthen its image as the first K-Wellness City in the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, and to create work-cation centres and recreational facilities using ecological resources and access to the metropolitan area. Through this, the county will also actively respond to the shift to a leisure society, including four-day workweeks.
"We will develop a clean wellness tourism product using Baekdu Daegan based on a health method that can maintain serotonin levels," said Kim Ji-hwan, CEO of Seorak Beautiful Movement, revealing plans to open a new chapter of wellness tourism.