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| August 23rd, 2024 Korea Wellness News |
Welcome to our latest blog post, where we explore the exciting developments in Korea Wellness as of August 24th, 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.
Health & Wellness Trends and the Expanding Protein Market
The post-COVID-19 health and wellness trend has led to a surge in demand for protein products. In particular, the protein beverage market has seen significant growth, and various companies are introducing differentiated products.
The domestic protein market, which was worth KRW 89 billion in 2018, is expected to reach KRW 450 billion by 2023. This is due to the growing interest of consumers in health and immunity. According to global research, interest in protein rose from 61 per cent in 2021 to 69.8 per cent in 2024.
The food industry is racing to compete by launching protein bars, beverages, snacks, and other forms of products. Namyang Dairy is No. 1 in the protein drink market with its TakeFit brand, and its marketing to the 2030 generation is paying off. CJ CheilJedang's ‘Ultimate Protein’ comes in rice and chestnut flavours, while Binggrae and Seoul Milk are also challenging the market with a variety of flavours and ingredients in protein drinks.
The market for protein products is expanding beyond beverages to include cereals and protein bars. Nongshim Kellogg is launching granola and bars with enhanced protein content, and Lotte Wellfoods is introducing protein bars with lower sugar and calories, which are gaining popularity.
Convenience store sales of protein drinks account for 90 per cent of the total market, and the growth of the market is expected to continue with the emergence of dedicated protein aisles. The food industry plans to further capitalise on the health and wellness trend by expanding in this market.
Singapore, the green city with a wellness twist
Singapore has been attracting attention as a city where ‘wellness’ and nature are in harmony. A recent article by Kim Sun-mi of the Dong-A Ilbo showcases Singapore's appeal as a garden city, highlighting the city's many wellness spaces and green architecture.
The Capita Spring Building, featured in the article, has a 280-metre-high rooftop garden and a 35-metre-high ‘green oasis’ that adds greenery to the cityscape. The building is a prime example of Singapore's ‘Skylights Greenery’ initiative and a model of how architecture can coexist with plants. Singapore offers incentives for buildings like this, and is committed to expanding green spaces in the city centre.
In addition, Singapore's Bird Paradise and HortPark healing gardens are designed as part of its wellness programme. The therapeutic gardens at HortPark provide a space for psychological recovery in nature and promote emotional wellbeing through various gardening programmes. The KPMG Wellness Garden in Singapore also adopts this wellness concept, helping to reduce stress and promote mental stability.
The Singapore Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay are prime places to experience the marriage of wellness and nature, especially the National Orchid Garden and Supertree Grove, which offer visitors a blend of nature and art. These spaces play an important role in positioning Singapore as a forward-thinking garden city.
This article highlights how Singapore's green city and wellness spaces interact to enhance the quality of urban life.
Seoul's tourism crisis and the need for wellness tourism
As Seoul faces a tourism crisis, the need for ‘wellness tourism’ has been highlighted. In the first half of 2024, Seoul is struggling with a travel balance deficit, the largest since 2018. According to data from the Bank of Korea and the Korea Tourism Organization, the situation is even worse than during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has made plans to revitalise tourism with the release of the 3377 Seoul Tourism Future Vision, but it is struggling to achieve its goals. In particular, it has been criticised for relying on exhibitionistic policies such as Seoul Festa, which have not yielded tangible results. It is also unclear how much the city's K-POP events and wellness tourism are contributing to attracting international tourists.
Kim Kyung-kyung, chairman of the Seoul City Council's Committee on Culture, Sports, and Tourism, pointed out that the core content of Seoul tourism has not been set and that there is a lack of differentiation between wellness tourism and traditional medical and beauty tourism policies. He emphasised that Seoul's unique content and investment are needed for the recovery of Seoul tourism, and said that the Seoul Metropolitan Government will do its best to help Seoul tourism rebound in the post-pandemic era.
The crisis has highlighted the urgent need for differentiated content development and strategic investment, including wellness tourism, to grow Seoul's tourism.
In the era of wellness, Incredible Buzz plans to conquer the slow aging market with amino acids
Incredible Bugs CEO Im Yeong-young has announced that the company will target the wellness and slow aging market with its amino acid products. Incredible Buzz plans to target the inner beauty and slow aging sectors through its six amino acid line-up.
At a briefing held in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Lim emphasised that amino acid ingredients are effective in repairing skin tissue. He explained that slow aging is a trend of aging healthily and beautifully, not just anti-aging, and said that beauty products that are successful in Korea will be competitive in the global market.
Incredible Buzz's main products include Nutracos Daily Amino Shot, Nutracos Accelerator Shot, Public Nutrients, Amino Gumzé, Vulnamin, and Sunekos. The Daily Amino Shot supports collagen and elastin repair, while the Accelerator Shot helps prevent muscle loss and support mitochondrial health. Public Nutrients boosts your dog's metabolism, while Amino Gums help heal oral wounds. ‘Vulnamine’ speeds up wound healing, and ‘Sunecos’ is effective in improving skin elasticity and wrinkles.
Lim said that the company plans to impress consumers with the effectiveness and uniqueness of its amino acid products, and is aiming for successful B2C marketing in the medical device market in the future.
Wellness and Brain Aroma: Global Cyber University Launches New Course in Brain Education Department
The Department of Brain Education at Global Cyber University (President Gong Byung-young) has established a new course called ‘Brain Aroma’ for the first time in Korea. This course is pioneering a new academic field that combines the brain and aroma, heralding a major change in the wellness industry and brain utilisation research.
The ‘Brain Aroma’ course will be offered as an elective course in the Department of Brain Education from the second semester of 2024, and will be taught by Han Lia, president of the International Brain Aromatherapy Association (IBAA), as a special professor. The course will be taught in conjunction with the IBAA Aroma Specialist Level 2 certification with practical exercises.
Brain aromatherapy is a therapeutic method that combines the brain and aroma, providing direct and rapid stimulation of the brain, and has proven effectiveness in the field of health and wellness. Global Cyber University signed an MOU with IBAA in late 2022 and has been conducting the ‘Aroma Meets Brain’ symposium and the ‘Brain Aroma Research Project’.
‘The aroma industry is shifting from treatment to prevention and management, and aroma, which directly stimulates the brain, will contribute to the restoration of human senses and the promotion of a culture of symbiosis with nature,’ said Jang Rae-hyuk, chair of the Department of Brain Education. ‘We are looking forward to the development of K-Aroma through cooperation with the College of Brain Education and feel synergy,’ said Hanria.
The Department of Brain Education provides a systematic curriculum for each life cycle, including infant brain development, child and adolescent brain training, adult competence development, and dementia prevention for middle-aged and elderly people, and grants the only bachelor's degree in brain education in Korea. The number of students is increasing every year due to the rise of the wellness industry and the surge in the neurocounselling industry.
Wellness and sleep aids: Sleeping Bottle partners with Australia's largest retailer
Sleeping Bottle, a sleep drink brand, has partnered with Global by Nature, Australia's largest wellness retailer, to expand its presence in the local market. Global by Nature specialises in wellness products, distributing more than 250 brands and 2,500 product lines worldwide, including Australia.
Through this partnership, Sleeping Bottle will leverage the company's online and offline distribution network in Australia to expand sales. ‘While magnesium-based sleep aids have traditionally dominated the Australian market, there has been a rapidly growing interest in SleepBottle, an all-natural, plant-based sleep drink,’ said a SleepBottle spokesperson.
Sleeping Bottle entered the Australian market last year after launching in the U.S., and has already established a local office. SleepingBottle's entry into the Australian market has been met with great interest as the wellness industry continues to grow.
Harmonising wellness and nature: Objet by Kundal hosts a non-clean pop-up store at Hyundai Department Store Jung Dong
Kundal's premium high-end brand ‘objet by kundal’ will host a Biclean pop-up store at Hyundai Department Store Middle East from 22 to 28 August. Biclean is a clean and wellness editorial shop that emphasises eco-friendly and sustainable living, and the pop-up store will be a space that further emphasises the harmony between wellness and nature.
Objects by Kundal uses natural materials and sensual design to present its products as objects, with signature scents and moods inspired by nature. At the pop-up, customers will be able to experience Objects by Kundal's products first-hand and smell the scents blended by expert perfumers.
In addition, there will be various events such as the exclusive pre-launch of the Silky and Buttery Hand Cream, a roulette event where all participants will win prizes for following the brand on Instagram, and a lucky draw where customers will receive the original product with purchase. There will also be a free hand cream with the purchase of the Stone Diffuser, providing visitors with fun and benefits.
The pop-up by Objet by Kundal will be a sensory experience of nature's energy, with an abundance of events to thank customers for their support.
Wellness and Hawaiian cultural exchange: Modo Tours hosts Hawaiian tourism promotion meeting
Modo Tour announced today that it has successfully completed a meeting to promote tourism to Hawaii. The meeting was held at ModoTour's headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 22nd, and was attended by ModoTour President Yoo In-tae, Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Jean Luke, Hawaii Tourism Commissioner Daniel Nahoopi, and other key stakeholders.
The meeting centred on discussions to revitalise Hawaii's tourism, particularly the concept of ‘Hawaii Caring Travel’ to promote a sustainable travel culture that coexists with nature, and the development of various themed products. Various product development plans were explored, including family travel, golf, wellness, MICE, cultural experiences, and MICE, while respecting and preserving Hawaii's unique cultural heritage.
‘Hawaii is a fascinating destination with rich culture and nature,‘ said Yoo In-tae, President of Modo Tour. “Modo Tour is actively participating in the ”Malama Hawaii’ campaign and will continue to strive to provide meaningful travel experiences for our customers.’
‘We are pleased to partner with a leading Korean travel agency to promote tourism to Hawaii,‘ said Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Jean Luke. “Hawaii welcomes travellers who practice ”mindful travel’ and supports a culture of sustainable tourism.’
Modo Tours previously ran a campaign from September to October last year to donate a portion of its Hawaiian product sales to support the recovery efforts from the Hawaiian wildfires.
Boosting hoteliers' content with wellness: the latest wellness-focused trend
The wellness trend has recently taken over the travel and hospitality industry. Wellness is a concept that encompasses well-being, happiness, and fitness, and refers to activities that promote physical and mental well-being. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, the number of visitors to wellness tourism destinations increased from 3.6 million in 2020 to 22 million in 2023, and the domestic wellness tourism market reached $5.4 billion in 2022.
In response, the hotel industry is strengthening its wellness-related facilities and services. SIGNIEL Seoul is opening a wellness spa called ‘Retreat SIGNIEL’ for the second time at SIGNIEL Busan. The spa is based on the concept of ‘Journey to Mindfulness’ and offers a variety of wellness programmes using high-quality, naturally derived ingredients.
Parkroche Resort & Wellness has introduced a new breakfast menu called ‘Breakslow’, which offers a wellness breakfast that can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace without being rushed. The menu consists of homemade slow food and offers guests the opportunity to experience ‘slow wellness’.
Hanwha Resort Geoje Belvedere offers a variety of wellness experience programmes. In August, programs such as ‘Island & Island Isudo Trekking’, ‘Mom Wellness Class’, and ‘Search for the King of Evil’ will be held, and a customized wellness class for mothers who are tired of raising children will also be offered. There are also regular wellness programmes such as health counselling through in-body measurement, morning yoga and healing meditation.
Chosun Palace offers guests the opportunity to unwind with panoramic views of Seoul's city centre with the ‘Spa, A Day of Relaxation’ package. The package includes access to ‘Beam Therapy’, a spa programme by luxury wellness and spa company ‘Wellness, The Hannam’.
As such, the hotel industry is enhancing its wellness-focused services and facilities to provide guests with a richer and healthier travel experience.
Jecheon Wellness Centre Opens... Enhancing Chungju Travel Passes
A new wellness centre has opened in Susan-myeon, Jecheon-si. The centre, which aims to improve the health of local residents, was developed by the Chungju Dam Branch of Korea Water Resources Corporation and the Jecheon Susan Slow City Council. The 1,500-square-metre centre is equipped with health measurement equipment and an exercise therapy room, and plans to heal the minds and bodies of residents through psychotherapy and health management classes.
Along with the opening of the centre, Chungju has also begun to improve public transport. From the 26th of this month, the Colbus will be expanded, and a new city bus route will be established that circulates around Seochungju. The newly added Colbus route will cover Daesowon-myeon and Sanchuk-myeon, as well as Suan-myeon, Sinni-myeon, Angseong-myeon, and Sotae-myeon, while city buses 77 and 88, which circulate Seochungju, will run 10 times a day through Judeok-eup, Daesowon-myeon, and Jungangtap-myeon.
In addition, Okcheon-gun has been operating a food bank market since three years ago, sharing donated food and daily necessities with residents in need. The market helps more than 1,800 households every year, and since last year, it has strengthened its services by directly visiting each town and village to provide goods for free.
The opening of the Jecheon Wellness Centre and Chungju City's strengthening of mobility rights are expected to provide health and ease of movement for local residents and contribute to the development of a wellness-focused region.