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| August 1st, 2024 Korea Wellness News |
Welcome to our latest blog post, where we explore the exciting developments in Korea Wellness as of August 1st, 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.
**Gwangju to become a 'honey jam city' with wellness***.
As the Gwangju Tourism Organization celebrates its first anniversary, it is taking various initiatives to boost tourism. As the number of tourists has recently recovered to pre-pandemic levels and is on the rise, the Gwangju Tourism Organization is developing tailored tourism services. In particular, the Gwangju Tourism Organization plans to introduce a unified brand for local festivals, "G-Festa Gwangju," in autumn, which will include festivals that emphasise "wellness" elements to position Gwangju as a "honey jam city.
The Gwangju Tourism Organization recorded 6.68 million tourists in 2023, the highest number in the last five years. To reflect this increase in tourism, the corporation is strengthening the local tourism infrastructure by introducing demand-responsive transport and building a tourism-related database. In addition, local festivals such as the Gwangju Kimchi Festival, Food Expo, and Seochang Bug Festival will be rebranded as G-Festa Gwangju.
The corporation is also emphasising 'wellness' tourism and is planning festivals under the theme of 'art and taste' in conjunction with the region's major tourism resources. This will attract tourists' attention and boost the local tourism economy. Externally, Gwangju will be promoted through marketing strategies utilising sports tourism and the international MICE industry.
"We will do our best to make Gwangju a city full of fun and vitality," said Jin Kang Kim, president of Gwangju Tourism Organization.
**Comtus Group to manage employees' mental health with wellness-based 'Happy Mint' service**.
Comtus Group has introduced the 'Happy Mint' service to manage the mental health of its employees. The service, which was revamped from 'Counselling for You' in June 2022, aims to promote employee wellness through psychological counselling. 'Happy Mint' is a combination of 'HAPPY', which means 'happiness', and 'MINT', which means 'plant healing', and supports psychological healing and a happy daily life.
"The Happy Mint service provides a wide range of counselling for personal emotions and growth, as well as workplace issues," said Jeong Hye Soo, Team Leader of Comptus' Organisational Culture Team. The service is available in a variety of ways, including face-to-face, phone, video, and chat, with a maximum of four counselling sessions per year. The insomnia counselling is particularly useful for employees who often work late hours in the gaming industry.
The service is divided into three categories: psychological counselling, insomnia counselling, and psychological tests, and the results of various psychological tests can be checked online immediately. "It is important to maintain a healthy mind through regular psychological counselling, not just when you have a problem," said Chung.
With Happy Mint, Comptus Group is helping employees maintain mental wellness and lead a happier work life.
**Gariwangsan Cable Car and Wellness Tourism, Healing in Jeongseon
Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do, has been attracting attention as a summer healing destination with its natural beauty. The recently opened Gariwangsan Cable Car allows visitors to reach the summit of Gariwangsan Habong, 1381 metres above sea level, in 20 minutes. The temperature here is 7 to 10 degrees cooler than the plains, making for a cool summer, and the open sky and beautiful mountain scenery provide wellness tourism.
The Byeongbangsan Military Park has heavenly trails such as the Sky Flower Village, where you can enjoy the night view and firefly illumination in the fresh mountain air. Ari Hills here offers skywalks and glamping experiences, and there are plenty of activities to enjoy on cool summer nights.
Mindungsan Mountain in Jeongseon welcomes more than 300,000 tourists a year and offers beautiful views of lush greenery and wildflowers. The Hangol Sumbau Trail is also recommended for a cool stroll along the primeval rocky forest path.
The temperature inside the volcanic cave reaches 14 degrees year-round, and you can experience the mystery of the cave with a cool breeze by exploring the gold mine. As a wellness tourism destination, Jeongseon-gun emphasises that it is the best place to spend the summer with nature and encourages visitors to visit.
**Pet wellness and mental health: the new trend of 'pet total wellness care'
Total wellness care for pets has been gaining traction in recent years, as it involves the comprehensive management of a pet's physical and emotional health. This trend stems from a culture that considers pets to be more than just pets, but members of the family. Total wellness care aims to go beyond simple health care and consider physical, emotional, and social health.
Your pet's emotional health is an important part of this wellness care, as reducing stress and anxiety has a positive impact on their physical health. To support this, app developers such as TTCare have teamed up with Peerfree, an organisation specialising in animal behaviour education, to provide educational programs to help pets understand and alleviate fear and stress. The programme will be translated into Korean and made available to those in the domestic pet industry.
In addition, AI-based wearable devices such as PetPulse provide technology that analyses a pet's voice to determine its emotional state, and products such as Bepple and Meepet are designed to care for pets' physical and mental health at the same time. These products aim to boost your pet's immune system, reduce stress, and prevent aging.
Experts believe that total wellness care for pets will continue to grow, emphasising the importance of managing both the emotional and physical health of pets.
**Wellness and tourism, 'Princess at Night' wins top honours***.
The Chungnam Culture & Tourism Foundation has selected Kim Yoo-jin's 'Princess at Night' as the grand prize winner of the '2024 Chungnam Tourism Entrepreneurship National University Student Idea Contest'. The contest was held with the aim of discovering start-up ideas that utilise Chungnam's diverse tourism resources and revitalising tourism.
'Princess in Chestnut' is an idea to develop porcelain tableware with the theme of chestnut, a specialty of princesses, and run an experience programme related to it. The project aims to expand tourism content in the Gongju area, including pottery making and sales.
The runner-up was Seokjun Cho's 'Journey to the Garden of Buyeo: A Terrarium with Baekje', which proposes to connect tourism and experience by creating a terrarium experience kit and finished product to showcase the cultural heritage of Buyeo-gun.
The Honourable Mention was awarded to Jeongsoon Jeong, Eunpyo Lee, and Shingo Eun for "WWW.cation: Our Workcation at Sowon Elementary School". The idea involves using the decommissioned Sowon Elementary School in Taean-gun as a living, working, and cultural space, combining local resources and wellness programmes.
"I want to use my academic experience in Chungnam to contribute to Chungnam tourism through my ceramics major," said Kim.
**Wellness and healing, Animal Farm under the Clouds at Gangwon Land High One opens***.
Gangwon Land Hiwon Resort has recently opened a new attraction, 'Hiwon Animal Farm under the Clouds', to further enhance its tourism appeal. The farm is located at an altitude of 1,340 metres above sea level, where guests can experience interaction with animals in a pristine natural environment.
Under the clouds of Haiyuan, the farm is 500 pyeong, and visitors can see more than 50 animals of five species running freely against the backdrop of the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range. This is a popular attraction for families, and is located near the slopes of Top Haiwon Tower at an altitude of 1,340 metres, so you can enjoy the cool air and natural scenery at the same time.
In addition, a local food market is held around the animal farm, offering food unique to the abandoned mine area, which is both a cultural experience and a contribution to the local community. All profits from sales are returned to the local community, adding to the meaning of local coexistence.
In addition to the opening of the animal farm, Gangwon Land plans to promote highland forest tourism as part of the K-HIT (Highland Integrated Tourism) project, with various projects such as the construction of a new cable car and the expansion of the sunrise and sunset observatory.
Choi Chul-gyu, acting CEO of Gangwon Land, said, "Animal Farm under the Clouds of Hiwon offers a special experience of nature, animals, and family," adding, "We hope you will enjoy your summer holiday with various things to do."
**Wellness and Healing, Yoga and Meditation Programme at Sun Village in Hongcheon, Gangwon-do
'Sun Village' in Hongcheon, Gangwon-do is being touted as the 'Korean version of Ubud, Bali'. Sun Village is a wellness spot that offers deep healing in nature, and offers summer healing through yoga and meditation programmes.
Named one of the 77 Best Wellness Destinations in Korea, Sun Village boasts an outstanding wellness programme and is popular with visitors for its wide range of yoga and meditation content. The resort has collaborated with global influencers in yoga and meditation to create tailor-made programmes, especially in collaboration with the International Institute of Yoga and Meditation (iNTL) to provide in-depth experiences.
In particular, the Sun Village Yoga & Meditation Intensive Course and OSHO Active Meditation programme, which will be launched in August, are in the spotlight. The 'Sun Village Yoga & Meditation Intensive Course' is a programme that helps restore harmony and balance to the mind and body, and offers customised yoga and meditation sessions for various symptoms such as sleep disorders, headaches, and chronic fatigue. 'OSHO Active Meditation' is a meditation method developed by Indian philosopher Osho that utilises scent and music to help you relax and find inner peace.
In addition to this, Sun Village will again host the Sound Healing Meditation Camp on 25 and 26 August, where participants can experience psychological peace through the vibrations and waves of sound. Sun Village is also offering generous package deals, including accommodation vouchers, natural youth meals, and free passes to facilities, so that visitors can enjoy a healthy break with free access to various wellness facilities such as spas and massages.
"We have prepared a variety of programmes to experience wellness and healing in nature," said an official from Sun Village, "and encourage visitors to take care of their physical and mental health with professional instructors."
**Blending wellness and travel, 25th anniversary Asia Miles special promotion
Cathay Pacific is celebrating 25 years of Asia Miles with a special promotion. The promotion will run from 1 August to 30 September 2024 and will offer 10% bonus miles when converting credit card points to Asia Miles.
The promotion highlights extra miles when converting credit card points from American Express and Citibank into Asia Miles, which can be redeemed for travel as well as a range of wellness and lifestyle services. In particular, the top 25 members who convert a minimum of 25,000 points will be rewarded with an additional 10,000 Asia Miles.
To participate, members need to pre-register via the promotion page on Cathay Pacific's official website and then apply to convert their points on the partner's website. Bonus miles are only available to Cathay Miles members, and pre-registration is required after signing up.
Asia Miles are highly versatile, as they can be used not only for flight purchases, but also for shopping, dining, wellness, and more. If you're short on miles, there's also the option to pay with a mix of cash and miles using Cathay Pacific's Miles Plus Cash.
"Asia Miles is celebrating its 25th anniversary thanks to the support of our customers," said Donald Morris, Country Manager, Cathay Pacific Korea. "With this promotion, we invite you to experience the benefits of Asia Miles not only for travelling, but also for wellness, shopping, giving and more."
**Wellness and rejuvenation in nature, special summer packages for the hospitality industry
The hotel industry is gearing up for the summer holiday season with a range of wellness programmes to recharge the body and mind in nature. This season, guests are offered the opportunity to experience a healthy break while communing with nature.
At Haevichi Hotel & Resort Jeju, guests can experience a 'dopamine detox' wellness programme. Guests can start and end the day refreshed through a variety of nature experiences, including sunrise runs, bike rides, and forest treks. A sunset yoga programme set against the backdrop of the ocean sunset will also be offered from August.
Glad Hotel also offers the Glad Honey Sleep Season 15 Package to help you get a good night's rest. The package includes a one-night stay in a room with a honey sleep eye patch, deep-sleep pillow mist and ritual mini pillow to support deep sleep and digital detox.
Kensington Hotels & Resorts offers a "Nature Healing Journey" package, which includes a one-night stay in a room, breakfast, and access to attractions. The package is available during off-peak weekdays, with prices starting from KRW 89,900.
Walkerhill Hotels & Resorts offers the WALKEE programme, which offers a variety of wellness activities, including experiences with forest interpreters, meditation and stretching in the Healing Forest, and mindfulness yoga.
WE Hotel Jeju offers guests the opportunity to experience the pristine forests and natural volcanic bedrock of Hallasan Mountain with its Healing Summer Package, which includes a choice of wellness programmes such as forest experience classes, aqua-camming and crystal singing ball therapy.
Oak Valley Resort in Wonju, Gangwon-do, also offers a wide range of wellness content to help guests escape the hectic pace of everyday life.
As such, the hotel industry is offering guests a unique summer holiday with wellness and a healthy recharge in nature.
**Summer wellness programmes in the hospitality industry: a blend of wellness and nature
This summer, the hospitality industry is offering guests a variety of wellness programmes to recharge their bodies and minds in nature. The programmes offered by resorts and hotels support healthy relaxation through physical activity, meditation, and communing with nature.
Haevichi Hotel & Resort Jeju offers a wellness programme that allows guests to experience a dopamine detox, and includes activities such as sunrise runs, bike rides and forest treks. Starting next month, a sunset yoga programme will be added to the offerings.
Glad Hotel is also offering the Glad Honeyjam Season 15 Package, which includes a Honeyjam eye patch and eco-friendly cosmetics to help guests sleep soundly. The package also includes a pillow mist to induce deep sleep and a ritual mini pillow to support digital detox and relaxation.
Kensington Hotels & Resorts offers a healing experience in nature with its 'Nature Healing Journey' package, which is available during the off-peak week and includes one night in a room, breakfast and access to attractions.
Walkerhill Hotels & Resorts has introduced new programmes such as forest walks with forest guides, healing forest meditations and mindfulness yoga to help guests heal and improve their physical and mental health in nature.
WE Hotel Jeju offers a Healing Summer Package that utilises the pristine forests and natural volcanic bedrock waters of Hallasan Mountain and includes wellness programmes such as forest experience classes, aqua-camming and crystal singing ball therapy.
Oak Valley Resort in Wonju, Gangwon-do, offers guests the opportunity to escape from their busy lives through a variety of wellness contents. Through the wellness programmes offered at each resort and hotel, guests can experience total relaxation and healing in nature.
**Kangwon Land's Emperor Kojuk Buldojang, where wellness and health meet
Along with its various wellness programmes, Gangwon Land is also known for its delicious boryangsik. Its signature dish, 'Emperor Goryeo Buldojang', is very popular among visitors as it combines wellness and taste.
Chef Hee Wan Yang, head of Gangwon Land's culinary team, uses local ingredients and specialties from Gangwon-do to create the delicious and nutritious Emperor Gojyo Buldojang. The dish is made with astragalus and mountain herbs, a speciality of the Jeongseon region, in a broth that is simmered for 24 hours, with a variety of acidic flavours. The main ingredients include sea cucumber, abalone, ogre, crucible, goji berry, ginseng, ginkgo, ginkgo biloba, matsutake mushroom, bamboo shoots, shiitake mushroom, garlic, shakspin, cordyceps, and bok choy. This combination is suitable for a wellness diet and helps to strengthen the immune system and rejuvenate the body.
According to the legend of "Emperor's High Law Buldojang", a monk practising Buddhism was so enchanted by the aroma of this dish that he jumped over a wall. As such, buldojang is regarded as a rejuvenating dish with an excellent taste and aroma. Gangwon Land offers a unique experience to visitors with dishes that take advantage of the unique characteristics of the region while taking health into account.
This summer, visitors to Gangwon Land can enjoy the rich natural environment and unique programmes while tasting Emperor Goryeo Buldojang, which is a harmonious combination of wellness and health food.
**Wando Marine Healing Management Corporation and Jeollanam-do Women's Organisations Council signed a business agreement for wellness and win-win cooperation**.
On 24 July, Wando Marine Therapy Management Corporation signed a business agreement with the Jeollanam-do Women's Association at the Wando Marine Therapy Centre's public relations hall. The agreement aims to promote win-win cooperation and the welfare of female members through marine healing programmes.
The main contents of the agreement include the promotion of the Wando marine therapy industry, the operation of customized marine therapy programmes to improve the welfare of members of the Jeonnam Women's Organisations Council, and cooperation in various events, workshops, trainings, and meetings using marine therapy facilities. Through this, the two organisations will promote the benefits of marine therapy and provide members with opportunities to heal their minds and bodies.
Since its opening, the Wando Ocean Healing Centre has welcomed more than 30,000 visitors and has become a healing spot. It has been recognised by the Korea Tourism Organization as a leading facility in Korea in the field of marine therapy, having been named as a '2024 Outstanding Wellness Destination'.
"The agreement with the Jeollanam-do Women's Organisation Council for the Promotion of Women's Social Participation and Empowerment is meaningful," said Lee Chae-bin, director of Wando Marine Therapy. "We will promote the excellence of marine therapy and develop tailored programmes that will contribute to the recovery of members' minds and bodies."
Through this agreement, Wando Marine Therapy Management Corporation and Jeollanam-do Women's Organisations Council are expected to provide the benefits of marine therapy to more people and contribute to the health and well-being of female members.
**Wellness and AI Innovation: Escape Massage System at LOTTE HOTEL New York Palace
LOTTE HOTELS has introduced the industry's first AI-based automated massage system at LOTTE New York Palace. The system was implemented in collaboration with US AI startup Aescape, which focuses on providing personalised wellness services.
Founded in New York in 2017, Aescape specialises in AI technology, and the massage system creates a 3D body model of the customer, which is then used by a robot to deliver an individualised massage. The technology adapts to the client's physical characteristics and needs to provide an optimal massage experience.
"We are excited to work with Lotte New York Palace to bring this innovative wellness experience to the hotel market," said Eric Littman, CEO of Escape. According to Statista, the global wellness travel market is expected to reach $1,399.6 billion by 2027. This is a 61.26 per cent increase from last year, demonstrating the growing consumer interest in wellness and health.
"International travellers are increasingly looking for wellness-related services and facilities," said Joe Rose, owner of Illa Only Spa, "and Escape's AI massage system will allow us to provide a differentiated wellness experience for our guests."
The introduction is part of Lotte Hotels' strategy to strengthen its competitiveness in the wellness market and meet the diverse needs of its customers.
**LOTTE Card's Curated Digital Innovation with Wellness***.
LOTTE Card has announced its transformation into a 'curating digital company' through digital innovation. Going beyond the traditional credit card business model, Lotte Card provides personalised financial and lifestyle content through the Dizirocar app, and is also focusing on the wellness sector.
Lotte Card provides ultra-personalised curation services on the DIGIrocar app, recommending personalised financial and wellness content based on customers' interests and consumption patterns. In particular, the 'Discovery' tab, which opened in May, provides products and benefits tailored to customers' tastes and interests in real time, and the wellness curation service has been added.
Wellness Curation provides personalised information on physical, mental, and social health care, as well as health-related content such as exercise, diet, and skin care, and supports payment benefits such as Ting Shop special exhibitions and TOUCH coupons. LOTTE Card aims to enhance customers' lifestyles through digital solutions that consider their health and well-being.
In addition, LOTTE Card offers the AI-based personalised product recommendation service 'Diziroka QFit' in collaboration with LOTTEON on the Diziroka app, which recommends suitable products from more than 70 million products based on customers' preferences.
The company also focuses on ESG management and conducts various digital-based ESG activities to support the revitalisation of local commercial districts and value consumption. The utilisation of the Dizirocar app and the number of monthly active users are steadily increasing, and LOTTE Card is providing optimised wellness experiences to its customers.
**Wellness and facade development: Chungnam province to explore alternatives and make decision by year-end***.
Chungnam-do has decided to explore alternatives for its facade development project. The province has decided to find an optimal solution by the end of the year as the existing operator, On the West Consortium, has failed to pay the KRW 7 billion investment performance fee on time.
The On the West Consortium, which includes eight other companies including Merits Securities and Korea Investment & Securities, is responsible for the massive development project, which will see a total investment of KRW 1.314 trillion to build a golf village with one basement and eight floors above ground, as well as a 340-room recreational condominium with a hillside village and wellness centre. However, the company has struggled to raise funds due to the recent downturn in the construction industry, and has failed to pay 7 billion won ($7.2 million) since the original deadline of June last year, despite two extensions.
While Chungnam province has expressed its intention to proceed with the project, it will have until the end of the year to consider alternatives, as stipulated in the agreement. If the project is successful, the wellness centre will include various recreational facilities.
This decision is expected to be an important turning point for the development of the facade, and a concrete conclusion on the future direction of the project and whether an investor will be selected will be announced at the end of the year.
**Wellness and personalised diets: Rae Sik signs MOU with Cosy Health & Beauty**.
Foodtech company Rasik (CEO Yoo Dong-il) has signed an MOU with fitness specialist Koji Health & Beauty (CEO Kim In-hwan) to commercialise its personalised diet service 'Trainer's Meal'. The agreement aims to develop and commercialise the service through the trial operation of Trainer's Meal at Koji Health & Beauty's Koji Fitness Wonheung store.
Through the Trainer's Meal brand, Rasik has launched a service that provides personalised diets designed by personal trainers based on members' health conditions. Cozy Health & Beauty, a fitness specialist that offers total lifecare services including more than 190 exercise classes, one-on-one exercise prescription and diet management, will be responsible for testing and improving Rasik's personalised diet service.
Under the agreement, Cozy Fitness Wonheung will verify the effectiveness of the diet service through usage data for two months, and conduct system development and productivity testing to increase customer demand and satisfaction. Members who have already used the diet service have reported changes in body data, high satisfaction, and a high repurchase rate.
This agreement highlights the importance of personalised and customised food services in the health and wellness market, and Rasik is preparing for the stable commercialisation and service of wellness-related customised diets.
**Wellness and music meet: Chungbuk Institute of Science and Technology hosts 'Stay and Heal' concert**.
The Chungbuk Institute of Science and Technology Innovation announced today that it will hold four regular Chungbuk Wellness Concerts under the theme of 'Stay N Healing'. The concerts are part of Chungbuk's healing and medical tourism convergence cluster project and will focus on the Chungju, Jecheon, Jeungpyeong, and Yeongdong regions.
The first concert will be held on August 3 at the Ongdalsam Meeting House (Welcome Centre) in Deepsan Mountain, Chungju, and will be divided into two parts. Part 1 is a wellness experience, which includes time to relax the body and mind in the pristine nature and inner exploration through morning letters. The second part is music therapy by local Chungju trio Ensemble Noel, who will perform soothing music with various instruments including piano and strings. The songs include "La vie en rose," "One fine day in October," "Think of Me," "The Last Carnival," "Blue Night in Jeju Island," "Over the Rainbow," "O sole mio" and "Volare.
The concert supports local musicians and provides an opportunity to enjoy cultural culture, and is free to attend without prior reservation. Ko Geun-seok, director of Chungbuk Gukkiwon, said that through this event, he hopes to develop a Chungbuk-type healing music programme and promote a wellness lifestyle. The concert will be a festival of healing and romance, and is expected to promote cultural exchange and revitalisation of the local community.
**Wellness meets starlight: WE Hotel Jeju to offer 'Star Vacation' promotion on 12 August for one day only**.
For one night only on 12 August, WE Hotel Jeju is offering a special 'Stargazing' promotion where guests can enjoy unlimited draft beer while stargazing. On this day, the 'Shooting Star Package' at the hotel's rooftop deli will offer guests the opportunity to view the Perseid meteor shower, one of the three major meteor showers, with unlimited draft beer.
Limited to the first 15 rooms, the Shooting Stars Package includes a one-night stay in a room, buffet breakfast for two and access to the Shooting Stars and Unlimited Draft Beer Promotion for two. Guests can also choose from one of four wellness programmes for two. The package is priced from KRW300,000 (excluding tax), with free extra person and a 7 per cent discount for bookings made 14 days in advance.
The hotel also offers a range of wellness facilities, including a natural volcanic bedrock water outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, indoor swimming pool, sauna, and fitness room. The 'Shooting Stars and Unlimited Draft Beer Promotion' runs from 10pm to midnight, with shooting star viewing hours from 11.30pm to 0.30am the following day. Thanks to the excellent stargazing conditions in the mid-mountainous area of Seogwipo City, it is considered to be the best night to view more than 100 meteor showers. If the weather is not favourable, the event will be replaced with an indoor video viewing.
The promotion offers a special summer night of starry skies and wellness, giving guests the opportunity to experience the perfect combination of wellness and starry skies.
**Pet Mental Health Care with Wellness: The Latest Trends and Innovations
There has been an emerging trend of 'total wellness care' for pets that emphasises their mental health. It goes beyond simple health care and aims to support a pet's physical, emotional and social wellbeing in a comprehensive way. Pet owners are now concerned about their pets' stress and emotional well-being and are looking for a variety of wellness services.
AIPOPET has recently partnered with Fear Free, a US-based animal behaviour training organisation, to exclusively offer Fear Free's behaviour training in Korea. The training teaches how to understand and prevent fear and anxiety in pets, and is subtitled in Korean to make it accessible to a wider audience of owners and industry professionals.
In addition, PetPulse is an AI-powered wearable device that analyses your pet's voice to determine their emotional state, and can recognise five emotions, including happiness, sadness, anxiety, and more, with over 90% accuracy. The device won the Innovation Award at CES 2021, recognising its technology.
Dong-A Pharmaceutical's Bepple and AIPOPET's Meepet Chew Genius Stick are products that support mental and physical wellness care for pets. Bepple contains ingredients to help boost immunity and reduce stress, while Meepet Genius Sticks provide cognitive enhancement and overall wellness care.
These services and products are designed to improve the overall well-being of pets and provide better care options for their owners. With the growing importance of wellness and pet mental health care, these innovative technologies and services are helping to improve the quality of life for pets.
**Wellness and Women's Health: Korean-French Collaboration Raises $140 Million in Kickstarter
Aru, a platform for women's health and wellness, has successfully raised KRW 140 million in crowdfunding in collaboration with French wellness brand Puissante. Aru signed a distributor agreement with Puissante in Korea and held a pre-order fundraising for a limited edition electric massager, Coco, on Tumblebuck. The funding was a huge success, surpassing $100 million in six days.
Aru, a Femtech startup, offers products and services that solve a variety of problems for women, including menstruation, menopause, contraception, and childbirth. Puissante, founded by a French female engineer, rose to prominence in 2022 when it opened up the discussion of female sexuality in French society. Since then, it has established itself as an innovative brand with high-quality wellness items.
Jeanne Puissante, Head of Asia-Pacific at Puissante, said that this successful first step in the Korean market is a big deal and that partnering with Aru was a major challenge. Lee Myung-jin Lee, CEO of Aru, emphasised that the collaboration will solve the marketing and sales challenges faced by outstanding wellness brands in Korea and abroad, and help Korean brands go global.
The collaboration is seen as an important example for the global expansion of wellness products, and the successful crowdfunding has proven its potential as interest in women's health and wellness continues to grow.
**Wellness and Ganghwa Mugwort: Health and Healing with the Jwahoon Experience***.
Yakseokwon in Yangdan-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, is an attraction that is gaining attention as a wellness tourism destination, offering a medicinal mugwort experience and healthy food. Opened in 2018, Yakseokwon provides visitors with healing for the body and mind through traditional jhakhun experiences and healthy drinks using medicinal wormwood, a speciality of Ganghwa Province. With more than 10,000 visitors a year, it was recently selected as a wellness tourism destination by the Incheon Tourism Organization.
Yakseokwon offers the Jhwahun experience using Ganghwa-do's speciality 'lion's foot mugwort', which transmits the heat of the moxa to the lower body to improve blood circulation and enhance immunity. The experience lasts about 40 minutes, and afterwards, you can experience the heat of the moxa. In addition to this, the clinic also offers mugwort essence and healthy drinks to promote the elimination of waste from the body.
Yakseokwon's health food is also very popular. It sells HACCP-certified instant rice and various health foods, which are made using local produce. Products such as 'Dang & Rice', 'Healthy Lotus Leaf Rice', and 'Ginseng Nutrition Rice' make it easy to stay healthy in everyday life.
Yakseokwon's experiences and products are effective in reducing body temperature and relieving stress caused by the cold environment of modern life, and are spreading the benefits of fortified medicinal mugwort. Recently, it is also planning a comforting programme for cancer treatment patients. Yakseokwon has been providing health and healing to many people by reinterpreting traditional wellness methods in a modern way.