 |
| September 11th, 2024 Korea Wellness News |
Welcome to our latest blog post, where we explore the exciting developments in Korea Wellness as of September 11th, 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.
**The 'K-Tourism Roadshow': Wellness and Korean tourism meet at the center of the world's attention
The 'K-Tourism Roadshow' is a large-scale global project that promotes Korean culture and tourism, sells tourism products, holds business-to-business meetings, and conducts media outreach in 25 cities in 18 countries around the world. The roadshow is organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, and has been held in Manila, Sydney, Brisbane, and Osaka, Japan.
The recent Korea Travel Fiesta 2024 in Manila, Philippines, was a huge hit, attracting nearly 50,000 visitors who experienced a virtual winter in Korea. The Korea Tourism Organization plans to make it more convenient for Filipino travelers to visit Korea by simplifying visa application documents and offering discounts on tourism products.
The roadshow also emphasizes wellness tourism content, with the event in Dubai, Middle East, introducing specialized medical services and wellness destinations. In Toronto, Canada, the tourism organization will host a Korean Culture and Tourism Fair with themes such as Buddhist culture, vegan food, and wellness to attract local tourists.
“Through the K-Tourism Roadshow, we will promote the diversification of the Korean tourism market and advance to the era of 20 million tourists,” said Seo Young-chung, acting president of the Korea Tourism Organization.
**Broadcast writer Kang Isul considers health and environment with 'Instant Wellness'
Broadcast writer Kang Isul (36) has recently published a book, “Instant Wellness,” which introduces simple wellness practices for urbanites. While working on a health and beauty broadcasting program, Kang became curious about the authenticity of 'carder-style' information and experimented with her own health care methods to find the right one for her body.
Instant Wellness is an essay about Kang's experiences and realizations gained from six years of experimenting with celebrity health methods. The book introduces easy-to-follow health practices for city dwellers and suggests ways to increase their awareness of their bodies and the environment.
Kang says the book has inspired him to pay attention not only to his own health, but also to the planet and the environment. He calls himself a “green beauty person,” and he takes care of his health and the environment at the same time. The book suggests simple health routines, such as drinking a glass of lukewarm water, exercising for 20 minutes, and adding a few drops of vinegar to your water before meals, which are easy for busy urbanites to implement.
The book is also linked to Kang's social media presence, where she has inspired many people through her environmental activism, such as plogging. “Even three days of intentions can make a difference,” says Kang, who encourages readers to start making changes.
This book provides easy-to-follow wellness tips for busy people, and aims to inspire readers to make positive changes through their own health and environmental concerns and actions.
**Gyeonggi-do to expand wellness tourism with barrier-free tourism pilot tour**.
Gyeonggi-do and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization announced that they will be holding a barrier-free tourism pilot tour for tourists with disabilities until October 22nd. The pilot tour will target six groups of tourists, including the visually impaired, hearing impaired, retarded, developmentally disabled, elderly, and families with infants and young children, and will focus on discovering and developing customized tourism courses.
In particular, it offers specialized programs for each type of tourism, including wellness tourism. On the 10th, a tactile experience program for the visually impaired was held at the Korea Ceramic Foundation's Torak Experience Classroom, and at the end of October, a wellness tourism program for the developmentally disabled will be held at Herb Island and Herb Healing Center for healing and relaxation.
The tours will be held for a total of six times for about 20 participants, and participants' satisfaction with the tourism services and environment will be analyzed and reflected in the development of future tourism courses. The tours will be supported by professionals such as guides, safety officers, photographers, video commentators, and sign language interpreters, and participants will be provided with itineraries, information sheets with tourist information, and souvenir photo printing services.
“Through this pilot tour, we will continue to develop customized tourism courses for the underprivileged and establish a leading model of barrier-free tourism to create a tourism environment that everyone can enjoy,” said Park Yang-deok, head of the provincial tourism industry department.
**Gyeonggi-do strengthens support for wellness tourism and social economy
Gyeonggi-do is recruiting participants for the second half of the 'Social Economy Organization Cooperative Assetization Support Project' to create a stable business environment for social economy organizations. The project will run from October 2 to 8 and is open to social economy organizations with their main business sites in Gyeonggi-do. The support rate is 2% fixed interest, up to a maximum of KRW 1 billion, and up to 90% of the purchase price in the purchase and sale contract is supported. The loan period can be 10 or 15 years.
Meanwhile, Gyeonggi-do and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization are holding a barrier-free tourism pilot tour for the tourism disadvantaged through October 22nd. The pilot tour will provide customized tourism courses for six groups of tourists, including the visually impaired, hearing impaired, retarded, developmentally disabled, elderly, and families with infants and young children, and will also include a wellness tourism program for the developmentally disabled. In particular, the wellness tourism program will be held at Hub Island and Hub Healing Center in late October.
Gyeonggi Province will also pay the September livelihood benefits for basic welfare recipients early before Chuseok, based on a comprehensive assessment of household income and assets. Park Geun-tae, head of the province's welfare business division, said the payment schedule will be adjusted so that basic living security recipients can have a comfortable holiday.
**Busan launches marketing to attract wellness-oriented medical tourism in China**.
Busan City successfully held the 'Busan Medical Tourism China Business Consultation Meeting' in Qingdao, China, to strengthen its attraction in the medical tourism sector. The event was held in cooperation with the Busan Economic Promotion Agency and included efforts to open and activate the first Busan Medical Tourism Business Center in collaboration with the Korea Tourism Organization.
At the event, 22 buyers interested in medical tourism from all over China, mainly Qingdao, a city with direct flights to Busan, were invited to Busan for a briefing session on Busan medical tourism and one-on-one business consultations. A total of 99 consultations were held with 12 Busan host organizations in various fields such as skin, plastic surgery, medical checkups, and orthopedics.
Busan City also prepared a promotional space and introduced wellness-oriented tourism contents along with an emotional photo exhibition of Busan tourist destinations. In addition, the Bijit Busan Pass and promotional materials of Busan host organizations were introduced for the first time.
“We hope that this consultation will be an important opportunity to identify trends in the Chinese market and create a structure to attract medical tourists,” said Park Geun-rok, director of Busan City Tourism Marketing, adding that the city will continue to enhance its competitiveness in attracting the Chinese market through various support programs. Last year, 112,000 medical tourists visited Korea from China, an increase of 155% year-on-year.
**Gimpo Senior Town to create a wellness-centered, active senior customized residential environment**.
The Winners Gimpo Senior Town in Gimpo will provide a wellness-centered residential environment for active seniors. Located near Gimpo City Hall, near Gimpo Gold Line South Station, it will take full advantage of its proximity to Seoul and the benefits of urban living.
The Winners Gimpo has a land area of 7579㎡ and a gross floor area of 21,063㎡, with a total of 218 units in three buildings ranging from 2 basement floors to 4 floors. It focuses on improving the quality of life for active seniors by providing healthcare and dietary services, hotel-style housekeeping, and various other facilities. In particular, through an agreement with Gimpo Woori Hospital, the building supports health checkup programs, emergency transportation services, and oriental medicine treatments to help residents live a wellness lifestyle that pursues a balance of physical, mental, and social health.
Facilities include a golf driving range, movie theater, spa, sauna, gym, billiards room, and table tennis room, while the rooftop will feature an infinity pool and sky lounge. There is also a lighting forest connected to Jangneungsan Mountain and a 6.5-kilometer walking trail that can be used in all seasons to enjoy nature in the city center.
Gimpo Senior Town is located adjacent to Gimpo South Station and Gimpo Daero for easy transportation to Seoul and the metropolitan area, and is also close to cultural and administrative facilities such as Gimpo City Hall, Gimpo Civic Center, Gimpo Art Hall, and commercial facilities such as Homeplus.
Residents must be 60 years of age or older, with deposits ranging from 400 million to 600 million won and monthly living expenses from 1.5 million to 1.9 million won. 'The Winners Gimpo' is a resort-class senior town that meets the needs of active seniors, and is suitable for seniors who want a leisurely and colorful daily life.
**Paradise Hotel Busan to Launch Wellness-Focused 'Luxury Well-Comfort' Promotion** Paradise Hotel Busan to Launch 'Luxury Well-Comfort' Promotion
Paradise Hotel Busan announced that it is offering a wellness experience for the fall season through its 'Luxury Wellness' promotion until October 31, 2024. The promotion consists of various wellness programs and spa experiences, offering guests a unique opportunity to enjoy the fall season.
The hotel's Ocean Spa Pool will host a “Floating Sound Bath” program on October 20. This program utilizes the sound and vibration of a singing ball to calm the mind and body. The Garden Mindfulness Stretching program will also be held in the new building's outdoor garden on the 22nd, where guests can learn stretching and breathing meditation techniques to help heal the mind and body. On October 13, 27, 18, and 25, there will also be a Garden Band Pilates class using bands and mats.
The spa facility, Cimmeres, has been rebranded as Atom in Wellness Cimmeres and will feature a fall-themed underwater flower display. The spa zone will be themed with buckwheat, chrysanthemum, cosmos, and helmet flower, and guests can experience various skincare products through the Orange Glow Vita pop-up zone in collaboration with Aromatica.
In addition, the 'Time to Refresh' package offered in collaboration with 'Refresh Lab' and the 'Healing Stay' package including Aromatica's Glow Vita skincare kit will be introduced. 'Tea Mixology' classes will also be held on October 18 and 20.
A representative from Paradise Hotel Busan said, “As we have been selected as an official participating hotel of the global wellness event ‘World Wellness Weekend,’ we are striving to provide differentiated wellness contents.”
**Calling for Wellness Nutrition for Men and Women Throughout the Life Cycle
A recently published paper emphasizes the importance of nutrition throughout the life cycle. The paper, “Precision Nutrition through a Life Cycle Approach: A Narrative Literature Review,” published in the international journal Cureus, analyzed the nutritional needs of adult men and women by age and gender. The study was led by Prof. Sangwoo Oh of Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Prof. Youngsook Yoon of Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, and Hyein Lee of Halion Korea Centrum.
The team analyzed health status and nutritional intake by gender and age group based on data from the 2019-2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The results showed that the prevalence of various diseases increases with age and that customized nutrition management is necessary. In particular, health habits in the 20s and 30s have a significant impact on health later in life, and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increases after 40. In the 50s and beyond, the prevalence of age-dependent conditions such as osteoporosis increases.
The study also reported that micronutrients such as omega-3s, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D are deficient in all age groups, with calcium and vitamin D deficiencies particularly prevalent in women over 30 and especially in women over 50. This highlights the need for personalized nutrition care across the life cycle.
The research team explains that a life-cycle nutrition approach can be tailored to meet the health needs of each age group, which can optimize individual health and contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases.
**Mandarin Oriental Chenmen Resort Opens, Bringing Eastern Tradition and Luxury Wellness to Beijing
Mandarin Oriental has opened a new resort, Mandarin Oriental Chenmen Resort, in Hutong, Beijing. The resort blends Eastern tradition with modern luxury, offering guests a blend of wellness and luxury.
The resort features 42 exclusive guestrooms, each recreating the format of a traditional East Asian house, perfect for a private getaway. The resort's design is a modern interpretation of Beijing's traditional culture and captures the historical charm of the Hutong neighborhood.
The dining facilities are also top-notch. Yan Garden, headed by Michelin-starred Chef Fei, serves Cantonese cuisine, while the cocktail bar Tiao offers cocktails that capture the spirit of Beijing. In addition, the Italian restaurant Bicini serves dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Wellness facilities include The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, which features a tea house, fitness center, and healing space to relax the mind and body. Event spaces, Mandarin Palace and Zhengyang Mansion, provide ideal venues for weddings, banquets and receptions.
To celebrate the resort's opening, the resort is offering a 24-hour all-inclusive package, priced at 12,888 yuan (approximately $2.4 million). If you're looking for a luxurious wellness experience, this is a great opportunity to spend some quality time at Mandarin Oriental Chenmen Resort.
**Parkroche 'Running in the Colors' Package Combines Wellness and Fall Running
Parkroche Resort & Wellness has launched the Running in Autumn Colors package, which combines wellness and running in the pristine nature of autumn. The package is available for two nights starting September 28 and includes a one-night stay in a room, three special wellness programs for runners, Break Slow breakfast for two, and a Parkroche signature petite scarf.
The first day of the package includes the Shakeout Run program. This is a 3-kilometer run along the trails, where runners can relax their minds and bodies through light dynamic stretches, and relieve the stress of everyday life by running in nature. On the second day, the Danin Valley Run will be held, with a choice of an 8-kilometer course for beginners and a 14-kilometer course for intermediate and advanced runners to enjoy running in the beautiful nature of Zhengxian.
The final program in the package, Recovery Yoga & Meditation, is a post-run program that uses props to help relax the body and mind through yoga and meditation. Break Slow Breakfast is a new breakfast buffet that is available after check-out until 1 a.m. and features fresh ingredients and healthy recipes. Late check-out is also available, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely wellness journey.
**Pairing Wellness with Fall: Wellness Journeys at Parkroche and Paradise Hotel
For those who are worried about their immune system being compromised by the colder weather in the fall, a trip that combines wellness and nature is a popular choice. Parkroche Resort & Wellness is offering a Running in Autumn Colors package that combines a wellness program with running in the pristine natural surroundings of the deepening fall colors. The package is available starting September 28 and includes a two-night stay in a room at Parkroche, a running and wellness program, and a Break Slow breakfast.
The first day of the package begins with a Shakeout Run, where guests can de-stress with nature through dynamic stretching and running on a 3-kilometer trail. On the second day, the Danin Valley Run program will take you on an 8- or 14-kilometer run through the hidden running spots of Jeongseon to enjoy the beauty of autumn. Finally, there will be a Recovery Yoga & Meditation program to relieve travel fatigue.
In addition, the 'Autumn Melodies' concert is held on the first Saturday of every month to enjoy the autumn night, and is free for Parkroche guests.
Paradise Hotel Busan is offering a variety of wellness programs through October 31 through its 'Luxury Wellness' promotion. The hotel offers a 'Floating Sound Bed' at the outdoor ocean spa pool and 'Garden Mindfulness Stretching' at the new outdoor garden. In addition, guests can enjoy the autumnal atmosphere at the newly renovated Oceans Spa, which has been renamed 'Atom in Wellness Cimere'.
Haevichi Hotel & Resort Jeju offers guests the opportunity to experience Jeju's wellness destinations through the Wellness Journey Package, which includes various wellness programs such as Sunset Yoga and Forest Trekking.
In addition to this, Jeju Dinex is also offering the 'Oreum Oreum' package, which combines trekking to Oreum and hot springs. This package includes trekking gear rental and access to Aragonite hot springs, allowing guests to fully enjoy the beauty of Jeju's Oreum.
With these various wellness travel packages, you can enjoy health and healing at the same time this fall.
**HDC Resort, Wellness and Autumn Wine Market***.
HDC Resorts is introducing the 'Fall Wine Market Promotion' for the fall season. The promotion, which runs through November at Oak Valley and Seongmunan, offers up to 55% off wines selected by professional sommeliers. It also includes corkage free, discounted dining menus, decanting service, and more.
At Oak Valley's premium barbecue restaurant, Grill & Sizzle, guests can enjoy a variety of barbecue platters, including Korean beef, tomahawk, and lamb ribs, along with more than 30 wines. In particular, the Penley Estate Phoenix Cabernet Sauvignon and Grand Cru Swarovski are a great pairing with the barbecue at Grill & Sizzle.
Fioreto, an authentic Italian dining experience inside the gates, and Starthouse Restaurant are offering 10% off their dining menus with limited edition wines. Featured wines include Chateau La Gamaye 2020 and Allegrini Palazzo della Torre, with complimentary decanting available upon request.
In celebration of Oak Valley's achievement of the 'ESG Excellent Tourism Certification' from the Korea Management Certification Institute (KMR), HDC Resorts is launching an enhanced fall season wellness program. The program will include wellness contents that are in line with ESG values, such as forest cultivation projects, and provide an opportunity to enjoy wellness and wine at the same time during the fall season.
**Goheung, an energizing trip with wellness***.
The saying 'Go to Goheung and don't show off your strength' symbolizes the powerful energy and dynamism of Goheung. Goheung is a dynamic region known for the launch of Korea's first manned spacecraft and the birthplace of famous figures such as Park Ji-sung and Kim Il-sung.
The Goheung Space Launch Complex Observatory, which offers spectacular views of space launch vehicles and the Dado Sea, opened in 2013 and features a space library, VR experience center, and other facilities. Namyeol Beach near the observatory is known as a surfing mecca, and you can enjoy surfing and camping from summer to fall.
Palyongsan's cypress forest is the largest in the country and provides a wellness experience rich in phytoncides. The 488-hectare cypress forest operates a forest healing program and therapy center, and offers deep healing through citron and pomegranate water and foot baths.
The Goheung Buncheong Culture Museum exhibits history and culture from prehistoric times to the present day, and you can experience materials related to the Buncheong Sagi and tales. Goheung Citron Park is also perfect for a wellness trip, with walking trails and shelters filled with the scent of citron.
Every Saturday evening, a drone show is held at Nokdong Harbor, where you can enjoy the mysterious sky and add to your travel experience. Goheung is recommended as a destination for wellness travelers to recharge their energy with various elements such as dragons, spaceships, Palyeong Mountain, cypress forests, and drone shows.
**Promoting regional development through wellness tourism
Jeongseon-gun is promoting regional development by focusing on 'wellness tourism'. Utilizing the natural environment and historical heritage, wellness tourism has become a key strategy for the Jeongseon region. Based on the story of Jeongseon's lullaby meditation and composition, the tourism focuses on healing physical and mental fatigue.
Tourism is centered around the traditional market in Jeongseon, and local agriculture is also supported. A minimum price compensation system for local agricultural products and a half-price supply program for farming inputs contribute to reducing farmers' operating costs.
In addition, Jeongseon-gun is pushing for the registration of its anthracite coal mine as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its value as a modern cultural heritage of the coal industry. Improvements to the regional transportation network are also underway, with administrative efforts focused on the construction of the East-West Expressway and the North-South Nine-Axis Expressway.
The permanent existence of the Gariwangsan Cable Car and the creation of a forest-type national garden are also being discussed, and positive results are expected with the support and interest of the people of Jeongseon County. Jeongseon-gun continues to promote regional development through wellness tourism and local infrastructure improvements.
**Development of 'Encore Bodyfit', a wellness-customized exercise system**.
Gilt Wellness Exercise Center PT is attracting great attention by developing a personalized exercise consulting system, 'Encore Bodyfit'. The system is a professional exercise prescription program provided by a center run by a Korean medicine doctor, which is differentiated from existing exercise centers.
'Encore Bodyfit' aims to correct body shape and relieve pain through physical assessment, and collects accurate body data through plantar pressure testing and real-time pressure analysis that measures weight distribution on the feet. Based on this, posture and gait patterns are analyzed to design and provide personalized exercise programs.
The center adopts an innovative approach that combines healthcare and exercise to address a variety of needs, including chronic pain management, body shape correction, diet, and golf conditioning. The center also plans to contribute to solving the problem of cognitive impairment in the aging society by developing AI-based customized exercise prescription solutions.
Gilt Wellness Exercise Center PT is operated in Jongno and Banpo, where exercise prescribers from university hospitals and health and fitness managers from elite athletes collaborate to provide systematic and professional exercise programs. By doing so, we aim to contribute to not only physical health but also life satisfaction.
**Presenting a new paradigm of wellness and innovative hospitality management***.
Trinity D&C (CEO Lee Hyun-ji) is attracting attention by presenting a new paradigm in the domestic accommodation industry. The company solves the problems of long-stay accommodation facilities and leads a differentiated accommodation culture based on its professional hotel operation and management experience.
Trinity D&C operates 'The Week & Resort' near Eulwangni and Wangsan beaches in Incheon, and has been selected as a wellness tourism destination in Incheon by providing high-end facilities such as water parks, mini golf, and kids' cafes along with beautiful ocean views. The resort was the first in Korea to be certified as an International Fair Trade Hotel, and recently opened Sandlounge, a complex cultural space, and The Woof & Pet Hotel, a hotel specializing in dogs.
In addition, The Konosher Residence Hotel in the Yeouido area is a luxury lifestyle accommodation that offers hotel-quality services and has a membership-based private lounge, Salon de Yeouido, which is popular as a local networking space. “We are increasing the asset value of brands and buildings through problem solving, rational operation, and planning consulting in the lodging industry,” Lee said, adding that the company plans to expand into various lodging industries such as motels and senior towns.
Trinity D&C is leaping forward as a developer and operator of various lodging industries, not only hotels and resorts, and is presenting a new direction for the domestic lodging industry through wellness and innovative management methods.
**Wellness and Lifelong Education: New Challenges for 'Life 2.0' Universities in Gangwon Province
As the college entrance examination for the 2025 academic year has begun in earnest, new opportunities have opened up for late-comers. In particular, the “Life 2.0” universities in Gangwon Province, which offer admission without SATs and interviews, are gaining attention. These universities offer customized education for adult learners, scholarships, and lower tuition costs.
In Gangwon Province, Catholic Kwandong University and Sangji University have been selected as part of the Lifelong Education System Support Program for Second Cycle Universities (LiFE2.0). Catholic Kwandong University is located in Gangneung and operates six departments in the College of Human Services, including the Department of Language Rehabilitation and the Department of Dementia Specialized Rehabilitation. The university offers face-to-face, live remote, and non-live remote classes for adult learners, and reduces the tuition burden with national scholarships and various scholarship benefits.
Sangji University is located in Wonju, South Korea, and offers six majors in the College of Future Life, including the Department of Social Economy and the Department of Continuing Education and Counseling. Through its LiFE2.0 program, the university encourages lifelong learning, provides scholarships, and supports students to combine online and offline classes to help them work and study in parallel. The Adult Learning Support Center provides a variety of services to help students adjust to college life and stay on track.
By combining wellness and lifelong learning, these universities are creating new learning opportunities for adult learners, offering flexible and personalized education.
**Wellness and Aging in Place: An Analysis of Senior Housing Policies in Japan and Europe***.
With South Korea's rapidly aging population, senior housing policies in Japan and Europe are gaining attention. Japan is rapidly transitioning from an aging society to an ultra-elderly society, and a variety of private companies operate senior housing facilities. The Japanese government has encouraged private participation through subsidies and tax incentives, and has established various types of residential spaces through the Housing Stability Act for the Elderly. This law has led to a proliferation of service-oriented senior housing, which is a prime example of integrated housing and care services. Japan is also designing more homes with barrier-free structures, and providing support for home modifications, such as removing tucks and installing grab bars.
In Europe, Germany and Finland are focusing on integrating older adults into their communities. Germany has popularized community housing, where older and younger generations live together and provide support, and Finland has designed housing and welfare facilities together to increase accessibility through a housing system called Lofukiri. In the United States, Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) and University-Based Retirement Communities (UBRCs) offer a range of housing options to accommodate health conditions, while leveraging university continuing education programs and public services.
Experts emphasize the need for policy considerations to ensure that seniors can age in place in existing living communities, and suggest that creating wellness towns with community facilities and smart homes in major regions such as Seoul could be one solution. As such, wellness and aging are becoming increasingly important issues.
**Wellness and Holiday Fatigue: Introducing Spa and Relaxation Packages at Hotels
If you're looking to combat holiday fatigue and truly relax, check out these hotel wellness packages. Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul offers the 'Sense of Rejuvenation' package, which includes an in-room relaxation pool and a full body massage at the Banyan Tree Spa to relieve stress, especially the deep tissue full body massage to relieve muscle tension and calm the mind.
Paradise Hotel Busan in Busan offers a 'Floating Sound Bed' and 'Garden Mindfulness Stretching' program at the Ocean Spa Pool through its 'Luxury Wellness' promotion. Guests can also enjoy a fall-themed spa zone at the Atom in Wellness Cimere, as well as a tea sampler package and skincare experience in collaboration with Refresh Lab.
WE Hotel Jeju operates a medical spa center and wellness center, offering 'Haeam Hydro' hydrotherapy and 'Vichy Therapy' to help stabilize the mind and body and recover from fatigue. In particular, the relaxing underwater music and stretching in the meditation pool provides a unique healing experience.
Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel offers the 'It's Spa Vacation' package, which includes access to the Club Lounge, breakfast buffet, and the full-body spa treatment 'Hastage'. This package is effective for fatigue recovery and muscle relaxation.
Kensington Resort Jirisanhadong offers the 'Private Spa' package, which provides a nature-friendly spa environment with cypress bathtubs and bamboo decor. The package includes a buffet breakfast and complimentary minibar service.
The Yeouido Marriott Hotel offers a “Mom, Want to Get Away?” package that includes a suite, breakfast buffet, and spa discount coupons, giving mothers and daughters the opportunity to relax together.
Each of these hotels combines wellness and spa to offer a unique escape to combat holiday syndrome.
**Wellness and a shared village: The Corvilage Project in Goseong, Gangwon-do
A shared village, 'Cobillage Goseong', will be built in Goseong, Gangwon-do. The project is being carried out by Cobilage Company in collaboration with Aegis Asset Management, GS E&C, and Zyggeist, and will develop a 66,000-square-meter village including shared housing and wellness facilities.
The project will be designed to share kitchens, living rooms, offices, cars, and more, and will also have a wellness facility with telemedicine capabilities. Personal living spaces will be self-contained to ensure each resident has privacy.
The Village Goseong project began in 2021, completed design last year, and applied for a license in January of this year, awaiting project approval. We are currently working with the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and Goseong-gun to select the project for the Regional Revitalization Investment Fund. The fund will be carried out through a KRW 300 billion parent fund raised by the government, the Industrial Bank of Korea, and the Local Disappearance Response Fund.
Under the agreement, Aegis Asset Management will be in charge of financing, GS E&C and Zygae East will provide architectural solutions, and Homes Company will be in charge of the actual operation. “Given the growth potential of the co-living sector, it is meaningful to be able to provide investment opportunities,” said Kyu-sung Lee, CEO of Aegis Asset Management.
**Wellness and Slow Morning: A New Trend for a Calmer Start to the Day
Slow mornings are gaining traction as a wellness trend. Avoiding the rush of the morning and starting the day at a leisurely pace, slow mornings offer a different approach to the Miracle Morning. Slow mornings help you take time to take care of yourself and maintain a calm emotional state.
The key to slow mornings is to open your day slowly and without rushing. When you wake up in a calm state, you can maintain positive emotions throughout the day. This reduces anxiety and stress, and provides a sense of emotional stability. Starting your day slowly also helps you focus and be more productive. Activities like meditation and journaling can help you relax your mind and develop your brain's prefrontal lobe, which helps you think creatively and focus.
Practicing slow morning balances your nervous system, making it easier to get creative ideas, and reduces energy drain so you have more energy to get through the day. Slow morning isn't just about sleeping in, it's about valuing your time from a wellness perspective and starting your day with positive energy.
**Innovative development of Yeongam-gun with wellness: a vision that encompasses nature, people, and the future***.
Yeongam-gun is presenting its future vision with various brand slogans such as 'Korea's Innovation Capital', 'Youth Opportunity City', and 'Moonlight Ecological City'. Through the five keywords of the county government's innovation program, including youth vitality, moonlight ecology, future high-tech agriculture, local circular economy, and energy transformation, Yeongam County is pursuing results that allow local residents to experience innovation in their daily lives.
Over the past two years and three months, Yeongam County has strengthened its financial foundation by securing a total of KRW 245.5 billion in major public offerings, including the National Mahan History and Culture Center, Wolchulsan National Park Ecotourism Center, and comprehensive maintenance of the Fengshui Sea Living Zone. In addition, it has achieved remarkable results in various fields to increase the value of local resources. For example, the Yeongam King-in Culture Festival was selected as the 'Representative Culture and Tourism Festival of Korea' and the Yeongam Moonlight Festival was selected as one of the '100 Best Bam Bam Songs of Korea'.
In particular, Yeongam County's innovations in the youth sector stand out: it provides opportunities for local youth through the 'Yeongam-type Employment Social Responsibility System' and 'Job Fair,' and promotes win-win cooperation between the local community and youth through youth hubs such as the 'Moonlight Cheongchunmaru,' a comprehensive communication center for youth. It also strives to improve the living conditions of young adults and newlyweds through the 'Yeongam-type Public Housing Support Project.
In terms of wellness, Yeongam-gun aims to be a city that encompasses nature, people, and the future under the brand 'Moonlight Ecological City'. Yeongam-gun is utilizing its natural tourism and cultural resources, including Wolchulsan National Park and Yeongsan River, to revitalize the local economy, and is transforming Gurim Village into a stay-over cultural tourist destination through the Honam Myeongchon Gurim Renaissance Project.
In addition, Yeongam-gun is expanding eco-friendly and functional rice cultivation through farming transformation and preparing for the future of agriculture with smart farming and cooperative farming. This is helping to increase farmers' incomes and innovate the distribution of agricultural products.
These innovative developments in Yeongam-gun are leading the sustainable growth and development of the local community along with wellness.
**Semyung University's Sports Basic Education Graduation Requirements with Wellness
Seymung University in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do, is garnering attention for requiring students to complete a sports education class as a graduation requirement. Starting in the 2023 academic year, freshmen will be required to complete one of the following courses to graduate: golf, swimming, tennis, yoga, Pilates, fitness, or badminton. The move is part of the university's efforts to fulfill its educational policy of “a healthy mind in a healthy body” and to empower modern people to be active.
SEMU operates sports clubs with state-of-the-art facilities to provide students with a variety of sports activities. SMU Golf Club, SMU Fitness Club, SMU Yoga/Pilates, and SMU Yoga Club have a total of 2,000 students who receive quality classes in the latest facilities and are highly satisfied with them. For example, Hyunchae Kim, a sophomore in the School of Smart IT, said the golf classes helped her relieve academic stress and made her feel healthier.
This transformation began when SEMU President Kwon Dong-hyun took office in 2022. Kwon pushed for a reorganization of the liberal arts education program to enhance students' immersion experience and competencies, and added sports as a required course. The campus has a variety of sports facilities, including a 1,288-square-meter golf driving range, 8087 square meters of tennis and basketball courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a swimming pool at the Jecheon National Sports Center.
“We will continue to expand our support to help students improve their quality of life through sports activities and enjoy sports throughout their lives,” said President Kwon Dong-hyun. SEMYUNG's wellness-centered education policy is an important step in supporting students' health and holistic growth.
**Wellness Meets Healing Agriculture: Geoje City Agricultural College, Field Trip to Advanced Agricultural Areas
The Geoje City Agricultural Technology Center conducted a field trip for 36 students of the 14th Geoje City Agricultural College at Napoli Farm in Sanyang-eup, Tongyeong on the 9th of this month. The field trip was an opportunity for the students to experience first-hand the advanced state of healing agriculture and to see the facilities of the farm, which was selected as a wellness destination.
Napoli Farm has various facilities for healing such as air cafes, hammock shelters, and tropical greenhouses, and is attracting attention as an example of healing agriculture. The trainees listened to the background of the farm's establishment and facilities, and had a time to devise practical ideas for healing agriculture through a barefoot healing nature experience.
“We hope that the students will grow into leading farmers with expertise and differentiation by faithfully completing the training course,” said Ok Chi-deok, director of the Geoje Agricultural Technology Center. ”We will provide opportunities to build skills as professional farmers through mid- to long-term training that responds to agricultural issues and reflects the needs of farmers.”
The field trip was an important opportunity to explore new possibilities in the agricultural field through the intersection of wellness and healing agriculture.
**Wellness and forest welfare: Jeonju National University provides forest services for the elderly in Iksan, South Korea**.
On the 11th, the JK Wellness Center, a school enterprise of Jeonju National University, provided forest welfare services for the elderly living alone at the Human City Apartment in Hamyeol, Iksan-si. The program was designed to positively impact the elderly experiencing social isolation.
At the event, 20 seniors living alone participated in activities such as pressing flowers and making their own name tags. These activities focused on improving relationships among residents and stimulating their five senses. Through November, they will participate in various nature communication programs such as planting their own pet trees, growing shiitake mushrooms, removing vines, and cultivating flower beds.
The seniors who participated showed high satisfaction with the program, with Ms. Noh Jae-pung (92) saying, “I was really happy to have a time to relieve the loneliness of apartment life.”
Professor Baek Nan-young, who organized the program, said, “Our school is promoting specialization under the theme of Healing + Wellbeing, and we are doing our best to contribute to the community.” The Korea Forest Welfare Institute runs 10 forest healing programs once a week in five locations across the country for vulnerable residents.
**Wellness and Art Therapy: United Associates Conducts Community Outreach in Guam** United Associates Conducts Community Outreach in Guam
On July 4, United Associates (CEO Hee-Seung Lee), along with 14 art therapists from South Korea, conducted a special project to promote wellness and mental health in Guam. The project was organized in collaboration with Professor Ji-Hyang Lim of Daegu Cyber University.
Hee-Seung Lee led a variety of activities aimed at increasing the mental well-being of the Guam community by harnessing the healing power of art therapy. Highlights included art therapy workshops and lectures at the University of Guam, visits to the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, art therapy sessions for children and parents at the Todu Guam Foundation, and visits to Guam Memorial Hospital.
The art therapists shared their expertise with faculty and students from the University of Guam and exchanged knowledge and practice in the field of behavioral health. At Todu Guam Foundation, they conducted art therapy sessions for children and parents to help them express their emotions. At Guam Memorial Hospital, they understood the hospital's operating system and explored possibilities for future collaboration.
“We are very pleased to bring these talented Korean art therapists to Guam,” said Hee Seung Lee, CEO of Todu Guam, ”Our goal is to positively impact the mental well-being of the community through the healing power of art.”
**Wellness and Brain Function: Jangsoo Industry Holds Social Media Event to Launch Cognitive Doctor Hergion***.
Jangsoo Industry is launching a new wellness device, Cognitive Doctor Heredion, and holding a social media event. Cognitive Doctor Heredion is a healthcare device that helps protect nerve cells and improve brain function through 40Hz sound and vibration without using electric current. The product offers four modes, including Healing, Energy, Recovery, and Classic, and 15 levels of intensity adjustment.
It supports brain care, music care, and mind care functions through a dedicated app to meet users' individual wellness needs. “This wellness device can effectively relieve stress and mental fatigue for office workers,” said a representative from Jangsoo Industry. ‘We are holding an Instagram event to commemorate the launch of Cognitive Doctor Hergion, so we ask for your interest and participation.’ The event will run until the 12th.