Welcome to our latest blog post, where we explore the exciting developments in Korea Wellness as of September 2nd, 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.
Wellness and local economies, a new paradigm for rural tourism
The Rural Tourism Idea Contest held at the 2024 A Farm Show highlighted the creative ideas of the younger generation. The team from Sejong University won the grand prize for their idea to provide paid leave and local currency to employees of small and medium-sized enterprises using a wellness programme in Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. The programme aims to create a virtuous cycle by providing employees with a wellness experience in Okcheon-gun and contributing to the local economy and tourism.
The two winners were Seoul National University's ‘Three Meals in a Village’ and Konkuk University's ‘Rural Pet Training Camping Using Abandoned Schools’. The Seoul National University team proposed a self-sufficient rural resource utilisation programme by renovating empty houses into shared vegetable gardens, while the Kookmin University team transformed an abandoned school into a pet training camp. The competition is organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Rural Development Agency, and aims to create a ‘countryside that you want to visit and stay in’ with the creative ideas of the 2030 generation.
To address the issue of the disappearance of rural areas, the Agricultural Research Centre held a symposium titled ‘Rural Revival Project: Rural Youth and Agriculture’, and the keynote lecture emphasised the importance of pursuing innovation and competitiveness using local specialties and traditional culture.
Lotte Healthcare, embroiled in wellness business withdrawal rumours, launches streamlining plan
Lotte Healthcare has announced that it will launch a business streamlining plan, following recent speculation that it will withdraw from the wellness business. Lotte Group has entered into an emergency management system, and Lotte Healthcare is reportedly under consideration to exit the business. Established in 2022 as a subsidiary of Lotte Holdings, Lotte Healthcare was positioned as the core of the health and wellness business, but failed to improve profitability, posting an operating loss of 22.9 billion won last year.
The company went through a KRW30 billion capital increase in November last year, but still failed to resolve its profitability issues. It also launched a personalised healthcare platform called Cazzle, which has seen minimal success after it was accused of stealing technology from healthcare startup AlgoCare.
Lotte Healthcare CEO Woo Woong-jo had planned to launch mental health counselling services and brain health services in the future, but there are concerns that the withdrawal of the business will adversely affect collaboration with partners. Digital healthcare industry insiders believe that the impact on partners will be limited if the collaboration is at the MOU level, but they warned that the publicity and credibility gained from working with large companies could be reduced.
Lotte Healthcare remains the largest shareholder in the joint venture with Theragen Health, and said that Theragen Health is operating normally in the context of the emergency management. Company officials said nothing has been officially confirmed about the business withdrawal and that it is preparing a streamlining plan to increase its profitability.
Wellness and pet market, targeting pet mums with ‘companion happiness’ products
Wellness-related products and services aimed at ‘pet mums’ have emerged as a major consumer segment in the pet market. Petmies are consumers who consider their pets as family members rather than just pets. As a result, the industry is expanding the market by introducing various products and services that can satisfy both pet owners and pets.
AI PawPet, which operates the AI-based pet health check service ‘TeeTeeCare’, is launching ‘PawPet Korea’ for the first time in Asia in partnership with ‘PawPri’, a US-based animal behaviour education organisation. PEARFREE provides education aimed at reducing stress and promoting a happy life for animals, which has led to a growing interest in pet wellness management.
Kyowon Group has launched Kinok, a pet-friendly hotel for petmies. The hotel is entirely designed with pets in mind, and has various facilities such as an outdoor and indoor pet park and a pet kindergarten. This makes travelling with pets more convenient and enjoyable.
Time Terraces Dongtan has also been transformed into a ‘pet-friendly’ shopping space where you can shop with your pet. Pets are allowed in some of the stores in the mall, and poop bags and wipes are provided to make shopping more convenient.
On World Dog Day, Clean Nara organised a ‘Bring Your Dog to Work’ event, where employees and their dogs can work together. Through this, the company is creating a pet-friendly work environment and spreading a culture of wellness.
As such, wellness-related services and products in the pet market are becoming more diversified to meet the growing number of pet owners, and the industry is pursuing happiness with pets.
HDC Hyundai starts construction of a residential facility in the Gwangwoondae station area in November
HDC Hyundai Development Company has received planning approval to build a 3032-unit residential complex in the Gwangundae Station area in Nowon-gu, Seoul. The project is scheduled to begin construction this November and will consist of eight buildings with a maximum height of 49 storeys on the site of a railway facility.
The residential facility will be designed as a new concept of living space that emphasises ‘wellness’ and provides a harmonious balance of work, life and leisure. It will feature the latest technologies and amenities such as abundant greenery, smart communities, green energy, and AI-powered digital home care. In particular, two of the eight buildings will be premium wellness residences directly operated by HDC Hyundai Development Company. The residences will provide a differentiated residential experience by offering dining, housekeeping, and concierge services.
The mixed-use development will also include a street mall and will be divided into commercial and public areas. The commercial area will include a mixed-use building and a central garden, with commercial facilities on the lower floors and offices and hotels on the upper floors. The public area will include various lifestyle and cultural centres, a youth career centre, a cultural centre, and other amenities for local residents.
With this project, HDC Hyundai Development Company plans to create a futuristic urban lifestyle where people, nature, and the urban environment are in harmony, and contribute to the economic revitalisation of the Northeast Seoul region. It will also connect the railway and pedestrian networks to enhance the convenience of living for local residents and create a sustainable urban environment.
Wellness and innovation, Hyundai E&C and POSCO E&C unveil latest apartment design
Hyundai E&C and POSCO E&C have recently unveiled new apartment designs that are generating a lot of buzz. Hyundai E&C's ‘H Transforming Wall & Furniture III’ features the One Space Multi Use concept, which maximises space utilisation by moving the wall in the living room. The innovative design allows the wall to be moved at the touch of a button, revealing a recessed electric desk and queen-size bed that can be transformed into a home office and guest room. The apartment is also equipped with large storage cabinets and luxurious glass cabinets to support efficient storage and space utilisation.
POSCO E&C has unveiled a ‘new paradigm’ floor plan to cater to changing lifestyles. The floor plan design adopts the flexible ‘FLEXI-FORM’ concept, which emphasises wellness and the de-bordering of space. The flat for the Dinks is designed to cater to their independent tastes, with separate spaces for each of them, as well as a private sauna and home spa area. There are also proposed floor plans for a family of four with school-age children and a family of five with three generations, providing space for a variety of family types.
With these new floor plans, the two companies are at the forefront of changing residential trends and wellness-centred living, and will be available in a variety of configurations.
Wellness and Healing Garden, Incheon Wellmedia Festa a success
The city of Incheon hosted the 2024 Incheon Wellmedia Festa, themed ‘Garden of Healing’, at Songdo Convention Centre and Songdo Sunrise Park. The festival was held from 29 to 31 August and attracted about 9,500 people, promoting Incheon's wellness and medical tourism and showcasing various contents.
Under the theme of ‘Incheon, the Garden of Healing’, the event was designed to strengthen Incheon's image as a centre for wellness and medical tourism. At the Incheon Wellmedia Promotion Pavilion at the Songdo Convensia Exhibition Hall, various programmes of wellness tourism destinations and medical institutions were introduced. In particular, the singing ball experience, tree branch calligraphy wooden doll making, personal colour experience, and vegan snack tasting received great response from visitors. Prizes were also offered through social media events, and about 3,500 people visited to experience Incheon's wellness and medical tourism contents.
At Songdo Sunrise Park, the ‘Incheon Well Medicine Day’ was held, and the Earthing programme of the Right Step Institute was popular. Many participants expressed satisfaction with the programme, which taught them correct posture and gait, and relieved stress through sound meditation and group games.
In addition, regular meetings of the Incheon Wellness and Medical Council and an expert forum were held to discuss the progress of the wellness and medical tourism convergence cluster project and ways to cooperate. ‘We plan to expand various contents to position Incheon as a leading city in the convergence of wellness and medical tourism,’ said Kim Chung-jin, director of the city's Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.
Wellness and Ulleungdo Spring Water, Coca-Cola Beverage's ‘Ulim Water’ Brand Promotion
Coca-Cola Beverages has begun promoting Ulleungdo's first drinking spring water, ViOhioTM Ulimwater, in earnest. Ulleung Water is a premium drinking spring water produced by Ulleung Spring Water, a joint venture between LG Life Sciences and Ulleung-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and will be officially sold later this year.
The product contains surface-exposed spring water from Ulleung Island and boasts clean water quality that has been naturally purified from volcanic bedrock for 31 years. It contains naturally occurring minerals, including sodium, potassium, magnesium and other minerals.
To promote the differentiated wellness value of Ulim Water, Coca-Cola Beverages has been offering a limited number of tasting opportunities at five-star hotels and department store VIP lounges in Korea since September. At Chosun Hotels & Resorts, Ulim Water is available in the suites and CAC Fitness Centre at The Westin Chosun Seoul, all guest rooms at Chosun Palace Seoul Gangnam, and the fitness centre at Chosun Wellness Club. Ulim Water is also available at Galleria Department Store Gwanggyo and Time World VIP Lounge.
Through this tasting marketing, Woolim Water plans to establish its position as a premium drinking spring water by creating brand awareness among wellness and health-conscious consumers.
Wellness and agritourism, Yeoju's future city vision
Yeoju City recently conducted a benchmarking activity to build a sustainable future city by converging agriculture and tourism. The benchmarking exercise, which took place from 29-31 August 2024, visited Milyang City in Gyeongnam, Boseong County in Jeolla Province, Yeosu City, and Yeongdong County in North Chungcheong Province to study best practices in agriculture and tourism.
In Yeosu, the delegation toured various agriculture and tourism facilities, including the Sunshine Milleang Theme Park in Milleang, to explore the convergence of agriculture and tourism. The theme park in Milyang consists of various contents such as a rural theme park, sports park, and nature ecorium, while Daehan Daewon in Boseong-gun is notable for its tea gardens and ornamental tree landscaping. Yeosu City demonstrated how to use its expo facilities to boost tourism, while Yeongdong-gun presented a model of agritourism through its grape festival and winery tours.
Through the benchmarking, Yeosu discussed strategies such as the operation of a smart farm innovation valley and agricultural product integration support centre, the creation of an agricultural landscape complex, and the development of wellness tourism content. In particular, Yeosu is planning to develop night tourism content using an agricultural landscape complex and media facade centred on the Namhan River, and will use the ideas gained through the benchmarking to promote the development of the local agriculture and tourism industry.
‘We will make use of Yeoju's geographical advantages to achieve sustainable development by fusing agriculture and tourism,’ said Lee Chung-woo, mayor of Yeoju, adding that the city will realise its vision for the future by developing wellness content that combines agriculture and tourism.
Wellness and private rooms: Aru's growth and vision
Aru, which operates the women's wellness platform ‘Jae Man's Room’, has been in the spotlight lately, having recently turned a profit in August. ‘We will position ourselves as a platform for both men and women to solve their concerns about sex, relationships, and love,’ said Lee Myung-jin, CEO of Aru, in an interview at the company's headquarters in Gangnam, Seoul, on 30 August.
Since launching the app in September 2020, Aru has gained traction among female users with its initial sexual knowledge content. It currently has 370,000 monthly active users (MAUs) and has accumulated 400,000 downloads. The platform started with content centred on sex and relationships, and has recently expanded to include topics related to women's careers and personal development, with more than 1,000 articles in total.
‘To enhance the expertise and credibility of our content, experts in each field write the content themselves, and our editors do the final review,’ Lee explains. Recently, voice guides and webtoon-style content have also been added to make it easier for users to understand.
Aru is also focusing on expanding its commerce business, providing users with rewards to purchase products from its select shop. ‘Our strategy is to build a virtuous cycle that drives users of our content and community space to our commerce shop,’ said Lee.
Aru's vision is to become a platform where all women can solve their problems more freely. ‘We want the next generation to be even freer than our generation,’ Lee said, adding that the company plans to raise additional investment. ‘We hope the next generation will be much freer than our generation,’ he said, adding that the company plans to raise additional investment.
Wellness and Shilla Stay: Partnering with Cathay to Offer Mileage Earning Benefits
Shilla Stay has partnered with Cathay Pacific Airways to offer mileage earning benefits to its guests. The collaboration is part of Shilla Stay's efforts to provide additional benefits to guests staying at its properties, and is in collaboration with Cathay Pacific Airways, which was ranked the 5th best airline in the world by Skytrax in 2024.
Under the partnership, Cathay members who book via Shilla Stay's official website and mobile app will earn 300 Asia Miles for every night stay from 2 September 2024 to June 2025. They will also receive a 10 per cent discount on their stay at all Shilla Stay locations. Guests can earn miles and enjoy discounts at the same time by presenting their Cathay physical or digital membership card upon check-in.
Asia Miles is Cathay's membership loyalty system that can be redeemed not only for Cathay Pacific flights, but also for a wide range of lifestyle experiences including travel, shopping, dining, wellness, and donations. This allows international travellers to enjoy the benefits of earning miles while enjoying a comfortable stay at Shilla Stay.
‘We look forward to welcoming more international guests to Korea to experience the benefits of staying at Shilla Stay and earning Asia Miles,’ said a representative from Shilla Stay.
Wellness and healthy snacks: CJ CheilJedang's ‘O-Light Tempeh Chips’ enter Thailand
CJ CheilJedang has launched O-right Tempeh Chips, a healthy snack developed by its internal venture organisation, in Thailand. ‘O-right’ refers to the snack's ‘round shape’ (O) and the fact that it is made ‘right’. The tempeh chips are made with tempeh, a traditional Indonesian fermented food, and contain 6g of plant-based protein per bag. Tempeh is fermented in its raw form, without grinding the soybeans, and is characterised by its savoury flavour.
O-Right Tempeh Chips are targeted at the Thai market and come in a variety of flavours to suit local consumption trends. The chips are currently available in four flavours - Charcoal Ribs, Stir-Fried Kimchi, Sriracha, and Truffle & Cheese - on the country's largest online retailers Shopee and Lazada, as well as hypermarkets Villa Market and Dear Tummy. It will also be available in major retail channels such as Tops, Big C, and Gourmet Market this month.
With potato chips dominating the snack market in Thailand, CJ CheilJedang is planning to expand its market with Tempeh Chips by targeting younger consumers who are focused on wellness and health. To this end, CJ CheilJedang is strengthening localised marketing on major social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
Tempeh Chip is the second protein snack that CJ CheilJedang has introduced through its in-house venture, following the upcycled snack Barsak Chip, which was launched in 2022 through the food in-house venture programme INNO 100. ‘We hope that Tempeh Chips, developed through the creative approach of our internal venture, will become a healthy snack for Thai consumers,’ said a CJ CheilJedang representative.
Wellness and relationship management: Vespex ‘Signalling’ goes global
Vespex announced today that it has launched a premium version of its couples calendar app for healthy relationships, Signalling, and is going global. Vespex, a subsidiary of Suzentech, is an innovator in digital health and wellness, and is launching Signalling in the US and Japan.
Signalling is an app designed to help couples effectively manage and communicate their schedules, health status, records, plans, and more. It is popular for its user-friendly design and useful features, and the new premium service offers additional features such as a menstrual calendar, importing external calendars, and removing ads.
To go global, Vespex is ramping up its localisation efforts with multilingual support and the addition of region-specific features. Signalling is targeting 10 million global users and KRW 10 billion in annual revenue by 2026, and plans to grow into a comprehensive couples lifestyle platform by expanding into the healthcare and femtech sectors.
‘We will continue to add features that reflect the needs of our users and grow into a beloved wellness service like Flo and Sleepcycle,’ said Jung Joo-won, Director of Vespex. ’We will help our customers maintain a healthier and wiser relationship through premium features and promote Signaling in the global market.’
Signalling is currently available for free on Android and iOS for basic features, with premium features available by subscription. For more information, visit the Google Play Store and App Store.
Transforming wellness and corporate fitness: Technogym takes a new turn
Technogym Fitness announced today that it has built a new 400-square-foot in-house fitness centre and installed more than 80 state-of-the-art machines to create a 5-star hotel-like facility during the renovation of LG Twin Towers. With this project, Technogym is setting a new standard for corporate wellness offerings.
Technogym's innovative approach is also having an impact on the office environment. Ananti has introduced Technogym's Active Seating Balls as conference room chairs to improve spinal health and work efficiency for its employees. These innovative initiatives have led to a surge in inquiries from companies about in-house fitness centres and active seating balls.
Technogym is the exclusive supplier of fitness equipment for the Olympic Games and has a global reputation for providing high-quality products that are the choice of the world's leading football clubs. ‘With our superior technology and sleek design, we are strengthening our position in the corporate wellness and benefits space,’ said a Technogym spokesperson.
This project is an example of how wellness and fitness can have a positive impact on the corporate environment, showing that companies are actively investing in in-house fitness and wellness programmes to improve the health and work efficiency of their employees.
Chuseok healing with wellness: Hongcheon Sun Village's family-friendly programme
Sun Village, a wellness resort in Hongcheon, Gangwon-do, announced today that it has prepared a variety of healing programmes and traditional play events for families during the upcoming Chuseok holiday. The special events, which will run from 14 to 18 November, focus on relieving modern stress and providing true healing in nature.
During this Chuseok holiday, Sun Village will offer a variety of healing meditation programmes, including ‘Singing Bowl Music Therapy’ to relieve modern stress, ‘Mid-Autumn Singing Bowl Moonlight Shower’ to immerse yourself in the sound of the Singing Bowl while watching the full moon, ‘Healing Love Between Us’ to support healthy relationships between families, and ‘Moon, Star and Bonfire Healing Kiva Meditation’. There are also ‘Healing in Art’ and ‘Hava Plarium Making Experience’ that allow people to express their emotions and find peace of mind. These activities cost $10,000 per person.
Traditional play events will be held on the 16th and 17th, with a free ‘Family Touhou Competition’ and ‘Family Yugoku Competition’. Winners will receive a small gift, and Bichae Restaurant will offer free holiday speciality snacks such as rice cakes, yugua, and yakgwa.
Sun Village offers a variety of other programmes to help visitors relieve stress and find peace of mind in nature. All programmes are booked on a first-come, first-served basis on site and may fill up early. For more information, visit the official website.
‘We hope that through this Chuseok holiday event, families can make precious memories together and spend a happy time in nature,’ said a representative from Sun Village.
Wellness and Brain Health: How to Maintain Memory with Pharmacist Sojung Yoon of Myeongdong Wellness Pharmacy
As Korea is expected to become an ultra-elderly society with more than 20 per cent of its population aged 65 and over by 2025, cognitive decline with age is becoming a major social issue. Pharmacist Yoon So-jeong of Myeongdong Wellness Pharmacy introduced effective ways to manage brain cognitive function to prevent such problems.
Symptoms that may indicate memory decline include forgetting everyday objects or not remembering important things. While this forgetfulness may not be a medical condition, it can be associated with brain disease, and cognitive decline can progress rapidly, especially after middle age. Studies show that the rate of memory decline increases after the age of 40, and it needs to be properly managed.
Pharmacist Yoon emphasised regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and active learning as ways to combat memory decline. Exercise improves blood circulation to the brain, deep sleep helps clean brain cells to keep the brain healthy, and studying new areas helps to keep the brain active.
Medication management is also important, and over-the-counter products, including ginkgo biloba and ginseng combinations, can help. These products are effective in improving brain cognitive function and relieving stress. Pharmacist Yoon advises that you should start taking them as soon as you recognise a memory decline. In particular, ginkgo biloba and ginseng complexes have been shown to improve brain function in clinical studies, with an average increase in memory quality of 7.5 per cent over 12 weeks.
In conclusion, pharmacist Yoon emphasises the importance of taking appropriate medication along with preventive care to maintain cognitive function, and being proactive to prevent cognitive decline as we age.
Wellness and tourism: Jeju Tourism Organization's ‘Travel Product Contest for Everyone’
The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and the Jeju Tourism Organization announced today that they are holding the ‘Jeju Travel Product Contest for Everyone’ for registered travel businesses in the province until the 29th of this month. The goal of the contest is to develop wellness and customised travel products for tourists with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, and those travelling with infants and young children.
The contest will focus on two types of travel products for people with disabilities. Firstly, ‘specialised tours by type of tourism disadvantaged’, which includes multi-sensory tours for the visually impaired and wellness tours for pregnant women. Second, the ‘Universal Travel Products for Everyone’ include a chinless Jeju trip and a generationally integrated Jeju trip.
The winning companies will receive up to 2 million won in product development costs, 3 million won in marketing costs for individual travel products, and customized consulting and training from a barrier-free tourism organisation. They will also be given priority for participation in future projects and barrier-free tourism initiatives.
For more information on the contest, visit the Jeju Tourism Organization's website. ‘With the 2026 National Sports Games and the National Paralympic Games to be held in Jeju, the demand for travel products for tourists with disabilities is increasing,’ said an official from Jeju Tourism Organization.
Wellness and forest healing: Jeungpyeong-gun, Chungbuk, invites influencers for a successful fam tour
On the 2nd, Jeungpyeong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, announced the successful conclusion of the ‘Forest Healing and Medical Tourism Fam Tour’, which invited 20 domestic and international influencers. The tour was held for two days from the 29th to the 30th of last month and was part of the ‘Healing and Medical Tourism Convergence Cluster Project’ signed by Chungcheongbuk-do and the Chungbuk Institute of Science and Innovation.
Participants enjoyed wellness tourism by experiencing forest healing contents at Jwagusan Natural Recreation Forest, Bojangcheon Cottonwood Forest, and Belfore Resort, representative tourist destinations in Jeungpyeong. In particular, at Jwagusan Natural Recreation Forest, various wellness experiences such as herbal five-colour flower tea therapy, forest trekking, and herbal foot bath were provided, and participants had a time to heal their bodies and minds.
On the 30th, the participants visited the Bojangcheon Cottonwood Forest, Belforest Resort, and Maryknoll Medical Laboratory to shed new light on the medical history and cultural significance of Jeungpyeong. At the Maryknoll Medical Center, participants were given the opportunity to learn about the importance of the hospital as a medical institution in central Chungcheongbuk-do more than 60 years ago through a cultural commentator.
Participants of the Fam Tour will be posting posts and videos on their personal social media accounts, such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, to promote the attractions of Jipyeong. ‘Through the enhancement of wellness programmes, we will do our best to further grow Jeungpyeong as a wellness tourism destination and attract domestic and foreign tourists,’ said an official from Jeungpyeong-gun.
Wellness and Healthcare Innovation: Bodybrand Changes the Game with Robo Technology
BodyFrend is making waves in the healthcare market. The company recently completed a turnaround with 8.9 per cent revenue growth and a 188.8 per cent increase in operating profit. In particular, the company has been gaining attention for its innovative products that go beyond simple massagers and utilise ergonomic design and ‘robo-technology’.
Since its establishment in 2007, Bodybrand has produced a variety of comprehensive home appliances such as medical devices, motion beds, and water purifiers in addition to home massagers. It currently has 165 stores and 18 patents, and has been ranked No. 1 in the market share of massagers in Korea. Recently, the company invested KRW 100 billion in robotics technology to develop ‘robo walking technology’ and launched new products such as Eden and Pharaoh Neo, which received great response.
Bodybrand's innovation is based on the original technology of healthcare robots, and this technology has been positively received overseas. The company's innovations are based on its original healthcare robot technology, which has been positively received overseas.
The company also cares about the health of its employees and offers a variety of in-house wellness programmes. It has welfare facilities such as hair salons, nail salons, and gyms, and conducts health promotion programmes such as the ‘You Too Body Challenge’. The company also supports employees' physical and mental health through the “Yiim Concert” and regularly holds lectures that reflect the direction of the global economy and the latest trends.
Body Brand will continue to play a leading role in the healthcare and wellness sector and take the lead in promoting healthy living through innovative products and in-house programmes.
The future of wellness and third-generation healthcare: Well & Medi's expansion to the metropolitan area
Medical consulting firm Well & Medi is leading the way with its third-generation health screening centres and expanding into the Seoul metropolitan area. Having recently opened six premium health check-up centres, Welnmed has gone beyond the traditional health check-up system to provide customized wellness services.
Well & Medi's wellness centres provide customized health check-ups using the latest medical equipment and genetic analysis, boasting accurate diagnosis and rapid analysis of results. Each centre provides a one-stop health check-up service with a dedicated one-on-one coordinator, and operates differentiated programs that include personalised disease prevention solutions, healthcare services, and anti-aging management.
The centres go beyond just delivering results to support ongoing health management through systematic healthcare services such as nutrition counselling, exercise programmes and personalised counselling. Well & Medi aims to expand throughout the Seoul metropolitan area and is strengthening its capabilities as a third-generation health check-up centre.
‘As modern people's health consciousness changes and the need for customized health check-ups grows, we are responding to customer expectations through differentiated health check-up centres,’ said Jung Hyun-min, CEO of Well & Medi. ’We will expand throughout the metropolitan area and grow into a medical group leading the third generation of health check-up centres.’
Wellness and divorce payout: Hospital in the news for unconventional benefits
A hospital in Seocho-gu, Seoul, is attracting attention for its unconventional in-house benefits. The hospital offers 2 million won and two weeks' holiday to divorced employees, and has attracted attention for its unconventional welfare policy.
As featured in MBC's ‘Omniscient Viewpoint,’ the hospital has become a hot topic of discussion for the various benefits that its director, Han Sang-bo, provides for his employees. ‘The director doesn't attend weddings, but he gives a congratulatory gift of 2 million won each for marriage and divorce,’ said the head of the hospital's nursing team. In particular, divorced employees receive an additional two weeks of paid leave.
The hospital also pays great attention to staff welfare, supporting staff family trips and providing cards with unlimited lunch and dinner expenses. These policies help boost employee morale and loyalty, according to Han, who values family time and happiness.
These welfare policies are part of workplace wellness, which contributes to employees' job satisfaction and work efficiency. The hospital's policies are considered to be at the forefront of the recent trend of companies actively adopting workplace wellness programmes to promote employee health and happiness.
Efforts to create a positive workplace culture through various wellness initiatives are considered a strategic investment as they can lead to increased productivity and reduced employee turnover.
Wellness and Natural Healing: Exploring Goheung on a 2-day, 1-night trip
A two-day, one-night trip to Goheung, South Jeolla Province, is a unique experience in wellness and natural healing. Goheung is a sprawling, green landscape of sea and forest, perfect for finding a tranquil retreat from everyday life.
On the first day, the trip begins at Nokdong Port, giving you the opportunity to soak up the charm of Goheung's most iconic tourist destination. Nokdong Port is a hub for maritime traffic, and every Saturday you can enjoy a drone show and spectacular sunset. Also, Nokdong Eel Street is a great place for foodies to savour fresh eel dishes.
Afterwards, head to Palyongsan Cypress Healing Forest to experience a forest healing programme. In this forest of 40-year-old cypress trees, you can absorb the energy of phytoncides and deeply relax in nature. The two-hour programme, which involves walking barefoot on a dirt path and learning how to breathe correctly, will help you heal your body and mind.
On the second day, Gegeumdo Island offers a relaxing stay at the Hae-dol Maru Pension. Sunrise and starry nights overlooking the sea from your room are soothing and relaxing, and you can enjoy a morning walk in the nearby Gegeum Ecological Forest. Gegeum Ecological Forest is home to an endemic community of tropical plants, and the energy of the forest on the Canopy Highway is a great way to experience forest healing.
To round off your trip, you can enjoy hand-drip coffee at Sinchon Brew Cafe and learn more about Goheung's local culture. We also recommend checking out the ‘2024 National Heritage Media Art Goheung Buncheongsagi Yoji-Hwa Hwa 1250’ exhibition at the Goheung Buncheong Culture Museum from 13 September to 6 October.
The wellness and healing experience of Goheung's sea and forests will leave travellers feeling relaxed and healed, proving to be the perfect place to find deep solace in nature.
Wellness meets innovation: Abiomaterials to showcase its range of highly functional exosomes at Beauty & Healthcare Show 2024
Abiomaterials (CEOs Byungjin Choi and Si-Joon Park) participated in the ‘2024 Beauty & Healthcare Show’ from 29-31 August at Songdo Convensia in Incheon, South Korea, to introduce its highly functional exosome product line. The exhibition is a B2B2C event that reflects the latest trends in the wellness, healthcare, and beauty industries, and various related companies participated.
ABiomaterials showcased innovative products utilising plant and human exosomes. The company's exosome-based products, including Lucidor and CellExosome, contain high purity exosomes through its proprietary ExoTraction process. This process is characterised by the direct cultivation of plant callus using a high-pressure process and ATP to maximise exosome extraction efficiency.
CellExosome Black Label Skin Booster uses nano-sized exosomes to penetrate deep into the dermis of the skin and deliver active ingredients reliably. The product is expected to regenerate skin, reduce the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles, soothe, firm, brighten and anti-inflammatory. Abiomaterials exports these products to Japan, China, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia, and is planning to expand into Europe, the United States, and Southeast Asia.
At this exhibition, ABiomaterials will further promote the globalisation of K-beauty through various technologies and products related to wellness. Through the convergence of wellness and innovation, it presents a new paradigm of health and beauty and aims to continue to expand the market in the future.
Wellness and K-beauty: Busan hosts medical tourism promotion event on Taiwanese cruise ship
The city of Busan recently held a special event to promote medical tourism and K-beauty on board a cruise ship from Taiwan. The event was held on a five-day, six-night cruise from Taiwan, and four of Busan's leading beauty and cosmetic medical centres participated.
The event began on the cruise that departed from Keelung City, Taiwan on the 25th of last month, with a total of 1,530 Taiwanese passengers on board. The city of Busan presented a variety of programmes along with promotional events on the theme of wellness medical tourism.
On the first day of the event, the 26th, Dr Kim Gun-woo, director of Liting Plastic Surgery, gave a lecture on ‘Anti-aging management through lifting’, followed by a consultation session for each organisation and a make-up show by make-up artist Cho Hee-kyung. Participants were able to enjoy a variety of cultural experiences, including a hanbok experience. About 500 people attended the event, and about 100 people applied for individual counselling.
On the 29th of last month, another K-beauty and hanbok experience event was held with additional counselling sessions. ‘We will continue to promote differentiated wellness and medical tourism marketing in response to changes in global demand and strive to develop new markets overseas,’ said Yoo Seung-ro, head of the Wellness and Medical Team at Busan City Tourism Maesu Division.
The event was planned in response to Taiwan's growing demand for medical tourism, with the share of Taiwanese tourists increasing to 16.6 per cent from 11.9 per cent last year, according to statistics from the Busan Tourism Organization. Taiwan is a major tourism market with an annual cruise tourism population of 500,000, 10 times that of Korea, and Busan is stepping up its marketing strategy to target this market.
Wellness and healthcare: Expanding wellness product development in the food, beauty, and leisure industries
As interest in health and wellness has increased since COVID-19, the food, beauty and leisure industries have been actively developing wellness-related products. The term ‘wellness’ is a combination of well-being, happiness, and fitness, and refers to the concept of enhancing life satisfaction by harmoniously managing physical and mental health and environmental factors.
Recently, LOTTE Wellfoods launched ‘Zero Plain Yoghurt’ as a new product under its sugar-free and sugar-free dessert brand ‘ZERO’. The company plans to generate more than 20 per cent of its domestic sales from this category by 2028 through the expansion of its health and wellness product range. The company is currently leading the healthy food market by expanding its ‘Zero’ brand ice cream line-up to 15 flavours and launching the plant-based dessert brand ‘Joee’.
Pulmuwon is also strengthening its wellness products by distributing pollution-free produce through Olga Whole Foods. It has recently opened new stores in urban shopping malls to expand the reach of its wellness products. Dongwon F&B launched a new healthy snack brand ‘wello’ and introduced oatmeal sesame chicken and pumpkin products using whole oats as its first products.
The wellness craze is also continuing in the leisure industry. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, the number of visitors to wellness destinations surged from 3.6 million in 2020 to 22 million last year. In particular, Hanwha Hotels & Resorts has seen an increase in the number of visitors to its wellness programmes every year, while Geoje Belvedere Resort offers a variety of wellness programmes.
In the beauty industry, CJ Olive Young introduced the ‘Health+’ wellness section of its mobile app and announced plans to increase wellness-related sales by more than 10 per cent from last year.
‘As the health and wellness trend continues, safe food and healthcare services are emerging as important markets,’ said an industry insider, adding that the development of wellness products will continue in line with global trends.
