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| August 14th, 2024 Korea Wellness News |
Welcome to our latest blog post, where we explore the exciting developments in Korea Wellness as of August 14th, 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.
**K-food craze and wellness products boost food industry earnings
With the recent K-food craze spreading globally, Korea's major food companies have succeeded in improving their earnings in the second quarter. Major companies such as CJ CheilJedang, Lotte Wellfood, Dongwon F&B, and Target posted strong results thanks to strong overseas exports and the launch of wellness products.
CJ CheilJedang posted KRW 4.314 trillion in sales and KRW 269 billion in operating profit in the second quarter, a 14.1 per cent year-on-year increase in operating profit. Sales of dumplings and room-temperature processed rice in overseas markets increased significantly, while bibigo products performed well in the Oceania market.
While overall sales and operating profit declined at Dongwon Group, Dongwon F&B recorded stable growth, posting KRW 1.615 trillion in sales and KRW 28.9 billion in operating profit. Items such as home snacks and seasoning sauces performed well.
Lotte Wellfoods improved its performance with new zero products and overseas business growth, posting KRW 1.44 trillion in sales and KRW 63.3 billion in operating profit. In particular, sales of health and wellness products and growth in the Indian market stood out.
Target is expected to report KRW 1.416 trillion in sales and KRW 49.6 billion in operating profit in the second quarter, with the positive impact of increased exports of food brands and expansion of high-value-added items in the materials business.
This performance was driven by the global popularity of K-food, which is expected to continue to grow in the second half of the year.
**Personalised Healthy Foods in Response to Wellness Trends***.
Recently, the wellness trend has had a significant impact on the food market. Wellness refers to a state of harmony between physical, mental, and social health, and various customised healthy foods are attracting attention.
Age-friendly foods are gaining traction in preparation for an ageing society. These are products developed for older people who have difficulty chewing or swallowing. For example, Our Home uses protease enzymes to tenderise meat to make it easier to digest, and Shinsegae Food operates ‘Easy Balance’, a brand that specialises in swallowable food. The market for such senior-friendly foods is expected to grow from KRW 2.5 trillion in 2021 to KRW 3 trillion by 2025.
Alternative protein foods are also an important part of the wellness trend. Alternative proteins include proteins produced from plant-based ingredients or microbial fermentation. Companies such as Beyond Meat in the US are gaining traction with meat-like alternative meat products, and Pulmuwon in Korea is also making headway with its plant-based alternative meat products. The market for alternative proteins is expected to continue to grow.
The alternative noodle market is also booming. With the growing interest in low-carb diets and healthy food, alternative noodles made with tofu, konjac, and algae instead of wheat flour are gaining popularity. For example, Pulmuwon's soya milk noodles and noodles made from a variety of seaweeds have gained a positive response among consumers.
Moon predicts that the demand for plant-based proteins will continue to grow, and emphasises the need to increase the competitiveness of domestic agricultural products so that they can be used in a variety of food products. This wellness trend is leading to a shift in the food market that seeks to combine health, taste, and pleasure.
**Wellness and Luxury Meet at SIGNIEL Busan Wellness Spa ‘Retreat SIGNIEL’
LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS announced today the opening of a new wellness spa, ‘Retreat SIGNIEL’, at SIGNIEL Busan. The spa first opened on the 86th floor of SIGNIEL Seoul in December 2022, and will now open its second location on the 6th floor of SIGNIEL Busan.
Retreat SIGNIEL will offer a wellness space to help heal the body and mind, away from the busyness of everyday life, with the concept of ‘Journey to Mindfulness’. The spa will offer a range of wellness treatments, including anti-ageing and energising programmes using high-quality, naturally derived ingredients. Advance bookings will be available from the 2nd of next month.
Retreat Signiel was recently ranked eighth among the ‘Top 11 Spas in Asia’ by the Michelin Guide magazine, and is expected to be a luxury space where guests can fully relax while enjoying the panoramic view of Haeundae in Busan.
‘We are opening this spa to provide a new wellness experience and luxury relaxation for tourists visiting Busan,’ said a representative from Lotte Hotels & Resorts. SIGNIEL Seoul is also offering a ‘Spa in Heaven’ package until 19 December, which includes a one-night stay in a city view room and aromatherapy.
**Asan City Wins Minister of Welfare Award for Wellness at ‘2024 Wellness Fair’
Asan City, Chungcheongnam-do, announced today that it received the Minister of Health and Welfare Award at the ‘2024 Wellness Fair’ held on 13 August 2024 at Seoul Plaza. The event is a large-scale wellness-related event hosted by Channel A and the Wellness Fair Organising Committee, and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Korea Food and Drug Administration, and Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The city of Asan was recognised for its effective use of hot spring health and healing programmes to improve the health of its citizens. As a city with three hot spring districts, including the 1,300-year-old Royal Hot Spring, Asan plays a leading role in the hot spring industry and has been continuously striving to improve the health of its citizens.
Mayor Park Kyung-kyu said, ‘We are working hard to promote the inclusion of hot spring therapy in health insurance and are making various efforts to further develop the wellness industry in Asan.’ In addition to booths promoting the ‘2025~26 Chungnam-Asan Visit Year’, a forum was held in collaboration with the Healthcare Spa Industry Promotion Agency under the theme of ‘Vision of Hot Spring Wellness Industry: Hot Spring Medical and Health Insurance System’.
**Wellness and home appliance and furniture industries attract attention with the ‘C.O.R.E’ trend**.
With the growing interest in wellness, a new trend in the home appliance and furniture industry is gaining traction: ‘C.O.R.E’. C.O.R.E. reflects the core values for a healthy and balanced life and emphasises four elements: Clean, Optimisation, Relax, and Eco-friendly.
Firstly, ‘Clean’ reflects the demand for products that take into account hygiene and cleanliness, which are paramount in everyday life. For example, Persis Group's Ilum launched Haven, a premium mattress specialising in cleanliness. The mattress uses antibacterial springs and safe fabrics to provide a hygienic and comfortable sleeping environment.
Secondly, ‘Optimisation’ shows the popularity of products that provide personalised services for everyday life. The Twinpressure MasterChef Low Sugar Rice Cooker from Cucu Electronics supports dietary management according to individual health conditions through carbohydrate reduction technology.
Third, ‘Relax’ reflects the interest in products that can relieve stress and fatigue. Kojima's ‘Koji Stretching’ mat uses air cells to massage muscles, and its various automatic modes and heating functions effectively relieve fatigue.
Fourthly, ‘Eco-friendly’ is a trend towards eco-friendly consumption, and LG Electronics' “Whisen Objects Collection Tower” air conditioner has enhanced energy efficiency to protect the environment and save energy at the same time.
This ‘C.O.R.E’ trend provides customised solutions for consumers seeking a wellness lifestyle and is further boosting the popularity of wellness products in the home appliance and furniture industry.
**Wellness and Paju City to Showcase Tourism Resources and Specialities at ‘2024 Wellness Fair’
Paju City participated in the ‘2024 Wellness Fair’ held in Seoul from 13 to 14 August 2024 to introduce tourism resources and representative specialties of Paju. The wellness fair was hosted by Channel A and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and other organisations to showcase the latest trends in the wellness industry.
At the event, Paju City was awarded the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Award for excellence in the tourism sector at the ‘2024 Wellness Awards’. The city was recognised for its efforts in promoting tourism for healthy and leisurely living, relaxation and healing in line with the concept of wellness, and for contributing to the development of the local tourism industry.
Paju City introduced various wellness programmes and tourism resources at the event. The ‘Dorasan Station Shuttle Train’ for peaceful tourism in the DMZ, the forest healing programme at Yulgok Tree Farm, Paju's representative healthy agricultural product ‘Jangdan Sambaek’, the experience programme ‘Exciting Culture Pinwheel’ at Heiri Art Village, Paju City Tour, and nature and ecotourism were promoted through exhibitions and experiences.
Paju City Mayor Kim Kyung-il said, ‘We will develop various programmes and expand tourism infrastructure to develop Paju into a representative wellness tourism destination in Korea.’ With this, Paju City will continue to promote the revitalisation and development of the local tourism industry through wellness tourism.
**Wellness and Risol to use Cogmate in Korea to develop an electronic drug to treat insomnia***.
Risol (Co-CEOs Lee Seung-woo and Kwon Gu-koo) announced today that it is conducting clinical studies to treat insomnia using Hankook Zai's ‘CogMate’. CogMate is a digital cognitive testing tool that assesses brain reaction speed, attention, visual learning, memory, and more, enabling people to manage their brain health through self-testing and results reports. The US FDA-cleared tool is also available as a medical device version called Cognigram.
The average South Korean sleeps for 7 hours and 41 minutes, which falls short of the OECD average of 8 hours and 22 minutes, and according to the Korea Economic Research Institute, sleep problems cost the country 11.49 trillion won ($11.7 billion) annually. Risol has received clinical trial plan approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and is currently conducting clinical trials in collaboration with Professor In-Young Yoon of the Department of Psychiatry at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. The goal is to obtain approval for an electronic drug to treat insomnia by 2026.
‘Sleep disorders are strongly associated with mental illness, interfering with normal working memory and contributing to the development of dementia,’ says Kwon Koo, CEO of Risol. ’This clinical study will confirm the link between insomnia treatment and improved cognitive function.’ Beyond treating insomnia and depression, Risol is also working to develop electronic medicines for people with Alzheimer's disease.
Risol plans to reconfirm the link between sleep and dementia and explore the effectiveness of treating sleep disorders to improve cognitive function. The research results will be published in international papers, and Risol will continue to collaborate in related fields.
**Seoul City Councilor Jong-bae Lee emphasises the need to actively foster the wellness industry
Lee Jong-bae (People's Power, Proportional Representation), a member of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Assembly, attended the ‘Wellness Fair 2024’ at Seoul Plaza on 13 August to highlight the importance of the wellness industry. The event was organised by Channel A and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Korea Food and Drug Administration, and Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
‘The wellness industry will become the core of the tourism industry in conjunction with medical tourism,’ said Representative Lee Jong-bae in his congratulatory remarks. ’As the global interest in wellness surges, Korea will grow into a powerhouse in the wellness industry with the world's best medical infrastructure.’ ‘I hope that the 2024 Wellness Fair will raise awareness of the wellness industry and serve as an opportunity for its development,’ he said.
Lee said he will strive to strengthen communication with Seoul residents and contribute to the development of the city's wellness industry. Through this wellness fair, the Seoul Metropolitan Government aims to discover wellness-related policies and industry contents and improve the physical and mental health of the people, showing its willingness to support Seoul to play a leading role in the wellness industry.
**10th Anniversary of Rice Day, Proliferation of Rice-based Products Linked to Wellness
Rice Day is celebrated every year on 18 August, and this year marks its 10th anniversary, with various campaigns and events to promote rice consumption. Governments and local governments are promoting policies to utilise milled rice and revitalise the rice processing industry to increase rice consumption, while the food industry is accelerating the development of innovative products using rice.
In recent years, the food industry has expanded the range of uses for rice and introduced products that combine it with wellness trends. With the increasing demand for processed rice products, the decline in rice consumption is slowing down, and the ready-to-eat rice market in particular is growing every year. For example, Harim's Dummy Rice is made with 100% domestic rice to maximise the natural flavour of rice, and was the highest rated in a recent blind test.
Rice-based wellness products are also gaining traction. CJ CheilJedang launched ‘Active Protein Rice Flavour’ using rice powder, which targets wellness consumers with a healthy protein drink. Orion's New Rongji and SPC B.R. Korea's Dunkin' Rice Glazed Doughnut are both healthy and delicious snacks that use domestic rice.
These products utilise rice to emphasise health and wellness, contributing to the promotion of rice consumption and the development of the wellness industry. The combination of rice and wellness is expected to continue to support consumers' healthy lifestyles through more innovative products.
**Councillor Kim Chun-geon, Chair of the 2024 Wellness Fair Organising Committee
Councilor Kim Chun-geon, Chairman of the Seoul City Council's Special Committee on Ethics, served as the organising committee chairman of the 2024 Wellness Fair, held at Seoul Plaza from the 13th to the 14th of this month, and delivered an opening speech. The two-day event was attended by Representative Kim Ye-ji of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, Mayor Kim Byung-min of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Chairman Lee Pil-hyung of the Seoul Mayors' Council, and many others, who expressed their interest in the wellness industry.
Various wellness experience centres were set up at the event, giving citizens the opportunity to experience wellness firsthand. Wellness tourism, work vacation, healing pilgrimage tourism, Korea's circumambulation route, food tourism, performance tourism, sports tourism, cruise tourism, and traditional market tourism were exhibited at the wellness tourism experience centre, while various programmes such as life-cycle disease prevention, dementia, cancer, women's diseases, diet, spa, walking, mind health, healing agriculture, forest healing, garden healing, marine healing, animal healing, music healing, and art healing were held at the wellness health experience centre.
‘The wellness industry is becoming a key industry for promoting global health and happiness, and Seoul wants to lead the way,’ said Kim in his opening remarks, emphasising the importance of the wellness industry.
The 2024 Wellness Fair was hosted by Channel A and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Korea Food and Drug Administration, and Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
**Council Member Park Chun-sun receives the Minister of Food and Drug Safety Award at the ‘2024 Wellness Fair’
Park Chun-sun, Vice Chairperson of the Environment and Water Resources Committee of the Seoul City Council (Kookmin-gu, Gangdong 3), received the Minister of Food and Drug Safety Award at the ‘2024 Wellness Fair’ held on 13 August 2024 at Seoul City Hall Plaza. The event was organised by Channel A and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Korea Food and Drug Administration, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and aimed to create a healthy society through wellness and healing.
As chair of the Seoul Metropolitan Assembly's Environment and Water Resources Committee and the Special Committee on Responding to the Demographic Cliff, Park has contributed to the creation of a healthy environment in Seoul. In particular, her experience in designing healing programmes to solve infertility problems and in various fields such as forest healing and walking healing were highly praised.
In her acceptance speech, Park said, ‘Wellness is the pursuit of a healthy life through healing, and it is a value that modern people should pursue in various fields such as forest healing, marine healing, and gardening healing.’ He also said that the Seoul City Council's Environment and Water Resources Committee is doing its best to ensure that the spaces provided by the council can provide healing to modern people, and promised to continue to contribute to building a healthy society with this award as an encouragement.
With this award, Park vowed to make more active efforts to improve the quality of life and wellness healing for Seoul residents, and said she plans to continue her legislative activities to provide a healthy wellness environment for citizens.
**Yellow Balloon sets new standards for wellness and premium travelling with the launch of ‘Top Pick’
Yellow Balloon announced today the launch of its premium package travel brand, TOP PICK. Top Pick provides premium travel experiences optimised for customers' Time, Occasion and Place, and aims to make travel affordable and stylish.
Top Picks will feature a wide range of luxury travel products. For example, a stay at a Niagara Falls view hotel in Canada, a meal at the Montparnasse Tower Skyview Restaurant, a sunset cruise in Budapest, a Michelin restaurant experience at Pamukkale Viewpoint, and other unique and emotional experiences. Reflecting the diverse needs of its customers, Yellow Balloon has also prepared a line-up of products for active seniors, family travellers and value-conscious Generation 2030.
In particular, the launch exhibition will highlight six major themes: SPECIAL STAY, FINE-DINING, WELLNESS, NO EXTRA COST, PRIVATE & DIY TOUR, and PREMIUM GUIDE. Among them, the ‘Wellness’ theme will provide customers with new wellness experiences, including travel products that offer special healing and health experiences away from everyday life.
‘To ensure the successful launch of ‘Top Pick’, we will form an in-house TF and leverage our direct sales strengths to reflect customer needs in real time,’ said a representative from Yellow Balloon's marketing team. ’We will exceed customer expectations through differentiated strategies to provide truly premium travel.’
**Hanwha Hotels & Resorts and SIGNIEL BUSAN to expand wellness and luxury rooms***.
Hanwha Hotels & Resorts and SIGNIEL Busan are offering new experiences to guests through the expansion of luxury rooms and new wellness facilities, respectively.
Hanwha Hotels & Resorts announced that it will acquire Belmer Hotel in Yeosu for KRW 53.6 billion and incorporate it into the Hanwha Resorts chain. The hotel has 80 per cent suites and is popular for its sea views. The purchase of the hotel is part of Hanwha's strategy to further expand the proportion of luxury rooms. In 2017, Hanwha Resorts' share of suites and above was 15.3 per cent, but it has recently increased to 26 per cent. The company will also continue to expand specialised rooms such as character rooms and theme rooms.
Meanwhile, SIGNIEL Busan will open a new wellness spa, ‘Retreat SIGNIEL’, in Busan on the 15th of next month. Based on the concept of ‘Journey to Mindfulness’, Retreat SIGNIEL provides a space where guests can escape from their busy lives and heal their tired bodies and minds. Following the first location in Seoul on the 86th floor, the new location in Busan will offer a variety of wellness programmes based on high-quality, naturally derived ingredients. Retreat SIGNIEL was also ranked 8th among the top 11 spas in Asia by the Michelin Guide magazine.
Hanwha Hotels & Resorts and SIGNIEL BUSAN are providing differentiated experiences to their guests and meeting their expectations through the expansion of luxury rooms and wellness programmes, respectively.
**Busan Tourism Organization Achieves Innovative Results in Wellness and Regional Tourism
Busan Tourism Organization (BTO) has recently been recognised for its outstanding achievements in the Sightseeing Tour programme, winning the highest award in the metropolitan area. The Busan Tourism Organization is a policy that supports local residents to start and operate tourism businesses with direct participation, and in Busan, businesses related to wellness experiences have stood out.
The Busan Tourism Organization's ‘Busan Tourism Duree Regional Cooperation Project’ focuses on creating tourism businesses in various fields such as accommodation, food and beverage, experiences, and souvenirs with the participation of local residents. Last year, Geumjeong-gu, Nam-gu, Suyeong-gu, Yeonsu-gu, Yeonje-gu, Busanjin-gu, and Haeundae-gu were selected, and wellness-related businesses in particular attracted a lot of attention.
This year's selection includes businesses related to wellness experiences. Businesses such as ‘Gwanganhaeng (SUP Wellness Experience)’ in Suyeong-gu provide experience programmes related to wellness, and local residents directly participate in them, presenting a new paradigm for local tourism. Other businesses in various fields such as ‘Suyeongseong Martial Arts Village’ and ‘K Beauty Holic’ were also selected.
‘It is very meaningful to take the first step in a tourism project led by local residents through the Tourism Dooree project,’ said Kim Jong-hyun, PD of the Suyeong-gu Tourism Dooree, adding, ’The core goal of the Tourism Dooree project is to bring positive changes to the local community through resident-led tourism projects.’
In addition to this contest, Busan Tourism Organization is continuing to promote the Sightseeing Tour in various regions, and is currently holding a contest to select prospective resident businesses in Jung-gu, Haeundae-gu, Gangseo-gu, and Gijang-gun until 20 August. This project is contributing to opening up new possibilities for Busan tourism through the convergence of wellness and local tourism.
**Yeoncheon-gun signs a large-scale agreement for wellness and regional development**.
Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do, and Centrepoint Tourism Development Co. Ltd. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop the local community and improve the welfare of civilian and military sports. The signing ceremony was held on the 12th at the Situation Room on the 2nd floor of the main building of Yeoncheon County Government, and was attended by Yeoncheon County Mayor Kim Deok-hyun and CEO Ahn Seung-ho.
The main contents of the agreement include cooperation related to the golf course construction project promoted by Centrepoint Tourism Development. The project is to build a wellness-focused complex tourism facility including a 36-hole public golf course, recreational condominiums, water park, equestrian centre, arboretum, and arboretum on an area of approximately 720,000 square metres in Buksam-ri, Wangjing-myeon, Yeoncheon-gun. The total project cost is KRW 261.1 billion and is scheduled to be completed by 2028.
Yeoncheon-gun plans to provide the necessary support to ensure the project goes smoothly. ‘We will do our best to ensure that the planned private investment projects go smoothly,’ said a county official.
The Centrepoint Tourism Development's Wellness Town project is expected to provide various sports and welfare benefits to local residents and contribute to the local development of Yeoncheon County. The agreement will further strengthen the model of cooperation between local communities and businesses.
‘Wellness and Modern Buddhism: A New Cultural Proposal at the 2024 Busan International Buddhist Fair’
The 2024 Busan International Buddhist Fair will present a new future for Buddhism by combining tradition and modernity, introducing various programmes and modern approaches to attract the attention of the younger generation. ‘Tradition is not a norm, so unconditional inheritance is only a response, and wrong tradition is only an inheritance,’ said Venerable Jin Woo, head of the Jogye sect, at the opening ceremony, emphasising the need to create a new culture in accordance with the times.
The fair offered a variety of experience programmes under the banner of ‘hip Buddhism’, aiming to improve the mental health of young people and the public through young and energetic Buddhism. Wellness programmes were also a major focus of the festival, and unusual activities such as meditation experience zones, dhammatik, and Buddhist DJ parties attracted a lot of attention.
The chairman of BBS Buddhist Broadcasting, Monk Deokmoon, said that the fair ‘will become a new sanctuary of traditional Korean Buddhist culture that will lead the global wellness craze,’ and laid the foundation for Busan to grow into the ‘centre of K-meditation. The fair also attracted large crowds, with about 50,000 visitors.
The fair demonstrated Buddhism's willingness to reach out to young people with modern and sensory content, with programmes centred on wellness and meditation attracting particular attention. The fair presented a new Buddhist culture that combines traditional Buddhist culture with modern elements, and is expected to continue to make efforts to communicate with the younger generation.
Wellness and Ecological Exploration: Various Events in Paju
On 13 August 2024, Paju City announced that it held the ‘DMZ Jilomok Ecological Expedition’ programme with YouTuber Jeongbre, who has 1.39 million subscribers. The programme is a tourism programme developed by the villagers of Jilomok, which was selected as a village participation project in the ‘2023 Gyeonggi-do ecotourism base creation project’. Participants explored the DMZ and the paddy fields of Jilomok Village on specially designed tractors, and enjoyed artistic performances such as orchestras, magic, and jazz.
Paju City will also host Youth Vibe, a water festival for youth and local residents, on 17 August in front of the Gyoha Youth Culture House. The festival is a water-based event for residents who are tired of the heat and tropical nights, and will include performances by the Paju City Youth Club Association.
On 13 and 14 August, the city participated in the ‘2024 Wellness Fair’ at Seoul Plaza, where it introduced tourism resources and specialties of Paju and received a high response. At the event, Paju City was honoured with the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award for being selected as an outstanding institution in the tourism sector at the ‘2024 Wellness Award’.
Meanwhile, Paju City has introduced a robotic process automation (RPA) system to significantly reduce the processing time of simple and repetitive tasks. The RPA system, which was introduced in May, automates tasks such as calculating overtime meal expenses, calculating travel expenses, creating on-call orders, creating library statistics, calculating tuition refunds, and registering trainees for parking to increase efficiency.
Wellness meets vegan skincare: Beijek launches at Croatia's 5-star MATERRA hotel
Page's vegan skincare brand BEIGIC has officially launched at MATERRA, a five-star wellness hotel in Croatia. BEIGIC will be showcasing its vegan skincare through the hotel's spa and amenity services.
Hotel MATERRA is a luxury property located in the pristine nature of Croatia and is a homage to Beyek's flagship store in Yeonhee-dong, Seoul. Beyek's products are certified vegan and utilise Fairtrade green coffee bean oil from Peru as the main ingredient. The store will feature Beyek products in the in-room amenities and spa services at Hotel Matera, where guests can experience special treatments and head spas.
At the event, beauty experts and influencers were invited to experience Beyek's vegan skincare and spa aromas first-hand. ‘We are delighted to be showcasing our vegan skincare at Hotel Matera and hope that visitors will find peace of mind and body with our unique treatments and spa,’ said a brand representative.
For more information, please visit the official website and Instagram.
Wellness tourism takes centre stage: Sunchang-gun participates in the Seoul Wellness Fair
Sunchang County participated in the ‘2024 Wellness Fair’ held at Seoul City Hall Plaza to effectively promote Sunchang's wellness tourism destination to city tourists. The event was a large-scale event with the theme of wellness and healing, and various organisations related to wellness tourism participated and operated more than 100 promotional and experience booths.
Sunchang County, in collaboration with the Sunchang Fermentation Tourism Foundation, conducted marketing centred on Sunchang's representative healing tourist destinations, Sheiland and the Fermentation Theme Park. Sunchang Sheoland was selected by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization as a ‘Representative Wellness Tourism Destination in Korea’ and is also included in the top 10 healing tourist spots in Jeonbuk.
During the event, Sunchang County attracted the attention of visitors by introducing local tourism resources such as the Sunchang Jangryu Festival, in addition to Sheoland and the fermentation theme park. The county also distributed Sunchang merchandise made of mini chilli peppers and fermented microorganism characters through surveys and social media follow-up events.
‘We are pleased to inform the city's residents about Sunchang's wellness tourism destinations and various attractions,’ said Choi Young-il, head of Sunchang County. ’We will continue to attract more tourists through continuous promotion and marketing.’
Opening the future of wellness tourism: BBS and Yeongdeok-gun collaborate on ‘Wellness Festa 2024’
BBS Buddhist Broadcasting and Yeongdeok-gun, North Gyeongsangbuk-do, have agreed to collaborate to successfully host the ‘Yeongdeok International H Wellness Festa 2024’. At an agreement ceremony held at the Yongdeok County Office on the 14th, BBS Acting President Sung Ki-hong and Yongdeok County Mayor Kim Gwang-yeol signed the agreement and took a commemorative photo. The agreement focuses on helping BBS to externally promote the wellness tourist destinations and cultural heritage of Yeongdeok-gun, as well as building and promoting the content of K-meditation and herbal health programmes.
The ‘Yeongdeok International H Wellness Festa 2024’ will be held from 3 to 6 October at the Goryebul National Campground in Yeongdeok. The festival will feature professional organisations from more than 50 countries, including India, Germany, Russia, Indonesia, Japan, and more, with programmes to experience yoga, meditation, traditional medicine, healthy food, and more. There will also be wellness-related industrial exhibitions, academic conferences, and various stage performances.
‘We will explore ways to develop wellness-related aspects of Yeongdeok-gun in cooperation with Buddhist Broadcasting Service,’ said Yeongdeok-gun Mayor Kim Kwang-yeol, while BBS President Sung Ki-hong said, ’Buddhist Broadcasting Service will actively promote and prepare for the event.’ Through this agreement, Yeongdeok-gun is expected to further revitalise the wellness tourism industry and raise the profile of the region.
Wellness and Early Childhood Tablet Use: Increased Expressions of Anger and Frustration
Early childhood tablet use is associated with increased expressions of anger and frustration, according to a new study. According to CNN on Wednesday, a study by Dr Caroline Fitzpatrick and colleagues at Sherbrooke University in Quebec, Canada, found that tablet use by 3.5-year-olds was associated with increased expressions of anger and frustration a year later. The study was published in the medical journal JAMA Paediatrics.
The researchers surveyed 315 parents over a three-year period to examine the association between tablet use and emotional expression, and found that 1.15 more hours per day of tablet use at age 3.5 was associated with a 22 per cent increase in anger and frustration expression a year later. In addition, children who frequently expressed anger and frustration at age 4.5 were associated with an increase in tablet use of 0.28 hours per day a year later.
‘Preschool is a sensitive time for the development of emotional regulation,’ the researchers note, ’and children who spend a lot of time on tablets may miss out on opportunities to learn self-regulation skills through interactions with caregivers and free play with friends.’ Children with poor emotional regulation skills are more likely to have poor health, academic, and social outcomes, he added.
The study emphasises the need for parents to carefully manage their children's tablet use, suggesting that screen time should be closely monitored for preschoolers. It also recommends that children who are prone to anger and frustration should be provided with plenty of activities that build self-regulation skills, such as virtual play, reading books, and physical activity.
CNN wellness expert Dr Lina Wen advised parents to: delay smartphone and social media use as much as possible when children are young; avoid using tablets as a means to stop tantrums; talk to children about the effects of social media; and limit screen time.
Wellness and Seoul City Council Member Koo Mi-kyung receives the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Award
Seoul City Council Member Koo Mi-kyung (People's Power, Seongdong 2nd District) won the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Commissioner's Award at the 2024 Wellness Awards held at Seoul Plaza on 13th. The Wellness Awards recognise organisations or individuals who have contributed to improving the physical and mental health of the public and strengthening the social safety net, and the ceremony was part of the 2024 Wellness Fair, organised by Channel A.
Koo received the award in recognition of her contributions to the 11th Seoul Metropolitan Assembly's Special Committee on Youth Mental Health, identifying and supporting youth in crisis, supporting continuing education for borderline intelligent people, and establishing policies to promote learning. In accepting the award, Koo said, ‘As we enter the age of the super-elderly, there is growing social interest in the wellness industry to promote and heal physical and mental health.’ ‘I will do my best to establish policies to improve the health of Seoul residents and revitalise the local economy,’ she said.
With this award, Koo Mi-kyung emphasised the importance of the wellness industry and pledged her efforts to continue developing policies and revitalising the local economy.