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| September 5th, 2024 Korea Wellness News |
Welcome to our latest blog post, where we explore the exciting developments in Korea Wellness as of September 5th, 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.
**Herbalife Korea launches ‘Immunity Tough Promotion’ to strengthen immunity**.
Herbalife Korea has announced the launch of the ‘Immunity Tough Promotion’ to strengthen the immune system in preparation for the season. The promotion consists of products that help manage intestinal activity and immunity. Customers who purchase the original flavour of Herbal Aloe Gel or a promotional set including the Immune Toughness Aloe Gel Set and one Probiotic Complex Plus will receive a Herbalife branded mini crossbody bag on a first-come, first-served basis.
Herbal Aloe Gel is a dietary supplement that contains 224 per cent concentrated aloe vera gel from Mexico to help support skin health, gut health and immunity. It uses organic aloe certified by QAI, a North American organic certification organisation, and has become a best-selling Herbalife product.
Probiotic Complex Plus is a dietary supplement that helps to suppress harmful microorganisms in the intestines and promote lactic acid bacteria, and contains 10 billion CFU lactic acid bacteria, the maximum amount allowed by the KFDA. It also contains prebiotics and paraprobiotics that provide food for beneficial bacteria, and multivitamins including vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, and B6.
The Immune Tough Promotion is available through independent Herbalife Korea distributors.
**Chamjon to exhibit many of Korea's leading basic cosmetics including ‘Top Class’ at the 2024 Beauty & Healthcare Show... Expanding sales in Southeast Asia and the Americas!
Charmzone participated in the 2024 Beauty & Healthcare Show, showcasing its basic cosmetics ‘Charmzone Top Class’ and ‘D'Ease Red Edition’. The exhibition was held from 29 to 31 August at Songdo Convensia in Incheon. Founded in 1984, Charmzone is a leading Korean basic cosmetics manufacturer with a 40-year history and a strong presence in the domestic market.
The company is also active in the global market and sells its products directly to major markets such as the United States, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. The ‘Charmzone Top Class’ series, which was highlighted at the exhibition, is aimed at consumers in their 40s to 60s and contains 15 ingredients, including high levels of collagen and protein, to provide lifting effects. The series has accumulated sales of more than 300 billion units at home and abroad.
The ‘Dangerous Red Edition’ is a highly popular range in the Chinese market and contains nutritional ingredients from ‘red foods’ such as tomato, pomegranate, odi, and wine to enhance the skin's energy. It is manufactured using Charmzone's MDS process, which is characterised by its excellent absorption rate.
Through this exhibition, Charmzone aims to expand its sales in Southeast Asia and the Americas. The 2024 Beauty & Healthcare Show emphasises the synergy between the beauty and healthcare industries and showcases innovative products and technologies in these fields.
**Retailers Target ‘Wellness Consumers’ for Healthcare Gifts at Chuseok
As the wellness craze spreads, the retail industry is focusing on Chuseok gifts centred on health and mental care. Newkin's Mind 360, a product that integrates mental and physical care, recently sold out in a pre-sale and will be available for limited sale in a special package on Newkin Mall from the 9th of this month. The package consists of three health supplements and two body care products, as well as a sleeping eye patch and a purchase certification event.
‘Sharp Mind’ contains fibroin extract to help improve memory, while ‘Night Time’ supports sleep health with mugwort extract.
Le Labo's Coriander 39 is a fragrance inspired by the peacefulness of forest bathing, with notes of intense aldehydic coriander leaves and spicy lime. This fragrance brings a sense of peace to everyday life and evokes the harmony between nature and the city.
PUMA's Magmax Nitro offers enhanced cushioning and elasticity for comfortable outdoor running. The cushioning of the outsole and midsole with PUMA GRIP technology provides excellent comfort and stability in a variety of outdoor conditions.
The Athleisure Collection by Mardi Mekrdi Aktif is activewear consisting of a bra top and leggings that offer excellent comfort and resilience. The Tactel and Lycra yarns are breathable and absorbent, making them comfortable for indoor and outdoor workouts.
These products are health and wellness-focused gifts that appeal to wellness consumers and are perfect for the Chuseok season.
**Lotte R&D Centre signs MOU with New Zealand's Ponterra to reduce carbon footprint of dairy ingredients
Lotte R&D Centre has partnered with Fonterra, a New Zealand-based dairy ingredient exporter, to reduce the carbon footprint of its dairy ingredient supply chain. The MOU signing ceremony, held on 4 September at the headquarters of Lotte R&D Center in Magok-dong, Seoul, was attended by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell.
Through this agreement, LOTTE R & D and Fonterra will establish a co-operation system to promote sustainable business and carbon neutrality, and support the development of health and wellness products. ‘We will work together to reduce the carbon footprint of the dairy ingredient supply chain and develop health and wellness foods, including high-quality protein products,’ said Lee Kyung-hwan, President of Lotte R&D Centre.
Founded in 2001, Ponterra is a dairy-based co-operative and one of the world's largest exporters of dairy ingredients. Lotte R&D Centre is Lotte Group's comprehensive food research centre, responsible for food development, quality improvement, and basic and biological research. The agreement aims to strengthen ESG management practices and global competitiveness.
**From home to wellness, the future of apartments is evolving with AI**.
Apartments are becoming more than just living spaces, contributing to the overall quality of life for residents. Samsung C&T and Hyundai E&C have recently announced new residential models that incorporate AI and wellness technologies, respectively.
Samsung C&T is introducing an AI parking solution at Lamian Songdo Station Sentry Pole to optimise parking for residents and visitors. The AI analyses individual parking patterns and directs them to their preferred parking areas, while a face recognition access system and real-time mosaic cameras enhance security and privacy. Voice-activated lighting and sensors are also used to automatically adjust the brightness of lights.
Hyundai E&C is developing an innovative residential model called the ‘All-Life Care House’. This model supports personalised healthcare by analysing genetic tests and health check-up results through AI. Hyundai E&C is collaborating with companies in the biotechnology sector to develop technologies to extend health life and is continuously advancing AI healthcare technology.
Innovations in community facilities are also notable. Hyundai Engineering plans to run meditation programmes and a small library at Hillstate Osanderclass. The ‘Up Fitness’ space will support meditation and home training, and will also offer book curation and cultural lectures in collaboration with local bookstores.
This evolution shows that apartments are becoming more than just a place to live, but are moving towards enhancing residents' wellbeing and overall quality of life.
**Wonju Medical Device Techno Valley: Wellness and Medical Devices Leading the 21st Century Transformation
Wonju Medical Device Techno Valley, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, is leading innovation in the medical device industry. As the Kangwon Medical Device Exhibition was held on the 5th, the new director, Jong-hyun Han, revealed the vision and future plans of Wonju Medical Device Techno Valley.
He emphasised that the medical device industry is diversifying and becoming more intelligent, and explained the importance of artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and IoT convergence technologies. ‘Medical devices are evolving beyond simple treatment tools to cover the entire cycle of prevention, treatment, and aftercare, and the demand for wellness devices and homecare products used at home is increasing,’ he said.
The Kangwon Medical Device Exhibition is celebrating its 20th edition this year and has expanded its scope to include not only medical devices but also bio and cosmetics. Reflecting the latest industry trends, the exhibition will feature companies in various fields such as medical AI and precision medicine, and will be accompanied by seminars linked to academic conferences, investment counselling sessions, and job fairs. The exhibition is a collaboration between the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, Chuncheon, and Gangneung, and will showcase a variety of products including wellness functional foods and functional cosmetics.
‘The future of the medical device industry is all about technological advancement and networking,’ said Han, adding, ’We aim to improve the quality of life of residents through innovative products and solutions related to wellness.’
**Strengthening cooperation between wellness and forest policy, Yeongdeok-gun, Gyeongbuk, and the Forestry Union
Yeongdeok-gun, Gyeongbuk Province and the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Regional Headquarters of the Korea Federation of Forestry Unions signed a business agreement today to develop forest policy and mutual cooperation. The agreement aims to provide various support and exchanges related to forest wellness.
The agreement ceremony was attended by Yongdeok County Mayor Kim Kwang-yeol and Daegu Gyeongbuk Regional Headquarters President Lee Dal-woo, and they agreed on key points such as pre-inspection support for damaged areas in the event of forest disasters, information exchange on forest recreation culture, and mutual support for forest management technical guidance. In particular, they agreed to share excellent business practices related to forest wellness and cooperate on technical support for mountain owners and foresters.
‘Through this agreement, we expect Yeongdeok-gun and the forestry union to exchange expertise and know-how to improve forest administration services and develop various programmes related to forest wellness,’ said Kim Kwang-yeol, head of Yeongdeok-gun.
The agreement covers two major areas, forest-related wellness and forest disaster response, and is expected to make an important contribution to the more efficient management and development of the local community's forest environment.
**Geochang-gun's special discount promotion with wellness for 2.04 million residents of sister cities
Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam, is launching a special discount promotion for residents of its sister cities. The promotion, which will begin on the 23rd, is a rural creativity tour linked to the ‘4th Gamaksan Flower & Star Tour’ and will target a total of 2.04 million residents of sister cities.
The nine sister cities include Jongno-gu, Seocho-gu, and Gangdong-gu in Seoul, Yeongdo-gu in Busan, Suseong-gu in Daegu, Nam-gu in Ulsan, Yangpyeong-gun in Gyeonggi-do, Gokseong-gun in Jeonnam, and Hwasun-gun in South Jeolla Province. The event will run for a total of six sessions until 7 October, and participants can enjoy a two-day, one-night trip to Geochang for KRW 146,000, a discount of KRW 40,000 from the regular price of KRW 186,000.
The trip, themed ‘Mysterious Wellness Geochang,’ will visit major tourist attractions in Geochang-gun, such as Gamaksan Star Wind Hill, Geochang Apple Theme Park, Changpo Garden, and Rural Experience and Recreation Village, and will offer relaxation and fun with a variety of hands-on activities.
‘Many people are feeling the charm of Geochang through its mysterious wellness,’ said Geochang-gun Mayor Koo In-mo, ’and we hope that this promotion will further promote cultural exchanges between the sister cities.’
Participation is possible through Baba Ground's online travel platform, ‘Play’.
**Jongno City's Dementia Prevention Programme for the Elderly with Wellness
Jongno-gu is running a ‘Dementia Prevention Class on Korean Medicine for the Elderly’ to help prevent dementia in the elderly. The programme will run until 31 October and will target 40 residents aged 60 and over who are in the normal group according to cognitive function tests.
Jongno-gu has prepared a programme consisting of six sessions to improve the physical and mental health of the elderly. The main contents include ‘Qigong gymnastics’ based on Korean medicine, ‘meditation yoga’ to improve blood circulation, and ‘dementia prevention lectures’ to prevent dementia. The programme will be administered before and after the classes to enhance its effectiveness.
Jongno-gu also operates the Jongno-gu Dementia Care Centre to reduce the burden on dementia patients and their families. The centre provides suitable programmes by dividing cognitive function into three stages and conducts various activities to improve dementia awareness. In particular, the centre has recently signed a business agreement with 21 dementia overcoming pioneer organisations, including the Deoksujae Welfare Centre, and is fostering dementia volunteers through the ‘Find Happy Memories Campaign’.
Jongno-gu will hold a ‘I Love You’ event on 10 September at 2 p.m. to commemorate the 2024 Dementia Day. The event will feature traditional dance performances by the Memory Dance Company, special lectures for families with dementia, and related exhibitions.
‘We will provide quality dementia-related services by making the best use of Jongno-gu's human and material resources to create a community where people with dementia do not have to worry,’ said Jongno-gu Mayor Jung Moon-jin.
**Robloo makes a successful debut at Songdo Beauty Fair with Wellness
Haircare brand Robloo has had a successful debut at the ‘2024 Beauty & Healthcare Show’ held at Songdo Convensia from 29 to 31 August. The show is a leading B2B2C event organised by the Incheon Metropolitan Government and featured a wide range of beauty product companies, including wellness, healthcare, dry food, and cosmetics. Export counselling sessions were also held with qualified overseas buyers invited by Incheon KOTRA.
ROBLUE sold out of foam treatments and scalp cooling sprays at the fair, attracting the attention of many consumers. The Robloo Mochibubbles Foam Treatment is a mousse-type product that can be applied to dry hair to make frizzy hair calm and shiny. The floral scent will keep you feeling great all day, and the leave-on no-wash product is easy to apply and doesn't need to be rinsed out.
The Roblox Scalp Calming Glacial Water Bubble Tonic Spray is effective in reducing the temperature of overheated scalps and is lightweight and portable. It is useful for hot weather and outdoor activities until September.
At the fair, Robloo gained a large fan base by offering free treatment samples for adding KakaoTalk friends. Overseas buyers also inquired about exporting, giving the company a chance to increase its brand awareness at home and abroad.
A representative from the company said, ‘We are happy to have the opportunity to promote the brand at home and abroad,’ and thanked everyone who visited.
**Wellness and K-Beauty Secure US$29 Million in Export Calls at ‘2024 Beauty & Healthcare Show’
Incheon Tourism Organization (ITO) announced that the ‘2024 Beauty & Healthcare Show’, held from 29 to 31 August at Songdo Convensia in Incheon, attracted more than 9,000 visitors and generated USD 29 million in export consultations. The event was held under the theme of ‘Beautiful harmony between the inner and outer world’ and showcased the latest trends and new products in the beauty and healthcare industries.
In particular, it was an opportunity to reaffirm the global status of K-beauty and K-healthcare, and the export counselling sessions and various programmes for the general public to participate were in the spotlight. 111 companies set up 181 booths at the exhibition, and 26 SMEs participated in the institutional pavilions, including Incheon Port Authority and Incheon Creative Economy Innovation Centre, to expand their sales at home and abroad.
At the Global Beauty & Healthcare Export Consultation, 32 overseas buyers from 13 countries participated in the consultation with a total value of USD 29 million, and the actual export contract conclusion rate was over 30%, reaching USD 9 million. In addition, OEM/ODM consultations and various seminars contributed to expanding business results.
The Makeover Show, held for the first time this year, featured beauty demonstrations and talks by renowned beauty artists, providing opportunities for technical exchange and networking. Participants gained a wealth of beauty and healthcare experience through hands-on events such as custom cosmetics making, aesthetic care procedures, and Incheon wellness and healing experiences.
‘The Beauty & Healthcare Show was an opportunity to reaffirm the global status of K-beauty and healthcare,’ said Jung Jae-gyun, Team Leader of Incheon Tourism Organization. ’We will continue to position Incheon as a centre for the beauty and healthcare industry through the successful hosting of the show.’
**Wellness and Innovation, the 20th Kangwon Medical Device Exhibition Opens***.
The 20th Gangwon Medical Equipment Show (GMES) opened on 5 September at the permanent exhibition hall of the Gangwon Medical Device Support Center. The exhibition is the largest industrial exhibition in the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, and the opening ceremony was attended by Governor Kim Jin-tae, Won Kang-soo, Mayor of Wonju, Han Jong-hyun, and other key figures.
This year's exhibition featured global leading companies such as Samsung Medicine, Bodytechmed, Seorin Company, and PharmaResearch, showcasing innovative technologies and products, and expanded the scale of the exhibition with the addition of the biohealth sector. In particular, on the first day of the exhibition, Sonic World signed an export contract worth $1.5 million with a Bulgarian trading company, and Hyundai Meditech, CNV Tech, and Winbackgoist signed export contracts worth $500,000 and $50,000 respectively.
The exhibition also introduced many products for general consumers, including home care, wellness functional foods and cosmetics. ‘This year, we tried to make the exhibition more popular among citizens,’ said Han Jong-hyun.
Mayor Won Kang-soo promised to support the development of medical devices as a strategic industry in the province as the exhibition, which was held at a university 20 years ago, has grown into a key industry exhibition in Gangwon Province. Governor Kim Jin-tae said, ‘Medical devices are the No. 1 export item in the province and the largest benefactor industry,’ adding, ‘We will further support the medical device industry through the R&D special zone.’
**Wellness and plant growers continue to grow in the market**.
The plant grower market is showing solid growth along with the wellness trend. According to the Korea Intellectual Property Evaluation Centre, the domestic plant grower market is expected to grow more than eightfold from 60 billion won in 2020 to 500 billion won by 2025. This is due to the growing interest of consumers as they live more indoors and the rising price of vegetables.
Major home appliance companies LG Electronics and Kyowon Wells are leading the growth of this market. LG Electronics' “Tune” works with a smartphone app to control water levels, temperature, and lighting for plants, and also offers a subscription service for seed kits. LG Electronics recorded annual subscription sales of KRW 1.34 trillion last year, and its plant grower rental service currently only offers regular delivery of seed kits.
Kyowon Wells provides planters and seedling rental services through Wells Fargo, and its recently launched Wells Fargo Mini and Florin have been very popular. Florin sold more than 1,000 units within two weeks of its launch, largely due to its flower planter and seedling subscription service. Kyowon Wealth is also attracting attention in the B2B market with its 4 billion won Wealth Smart Farm Factory in Paju.
As such, the plant grower market continues to grow in line with the wellness trend, and consumers' interest in growing indoor plants is expected to continue in the future.
**Wellness and Geoje complete the second round of recruitment for the ‘Breathe for a Month’ programme**.
Geoje City has successfully completed the second round of recruitment for its long-stay tourism programme, ‘Breathe in Geoje for a Month’. The programme, which aims to strengthen Geoje's image as a wellness tourism destination, offers participants the opportunity to stay for a minimum of five nights and a maximum of 29 nights in Geoje and create travel experience content.
A total of 51 teams and 81 participants applied for the programme, which will run from 6 September to 31 October, including 46 individual free travelers, 73 people from 4 workcations, 6 people from 6 workcations, and 2 people from 1 overseas Korean community. After an internal evaluation, 19 teams and 29 people were finally selected to start their special journey in Geoje.
In this second round of the project, the teams will be given a special mission to activate the 13 Nambarang-gil courses in the city, which is expected to contribute to building the image of a wellness tourism city. Participants will receive support for accommodation and experience fees, and will share their travel experiences on their personal blogs and social media.
‘I would like to congratulate the selected participants and wish them good memories of Geoje's beautiful nature and wellness tourism destinations,’ said Park Kyung-do, head of the Tourism Division.
**The Westin Resort Cam Ranh, Vietnam's Innovative Wellness Programme
With wellness travel in the spotlight, The Westin Resort and Spa Cam Ranh in Cam Ranh, Vietnam, has recently launched a specialised wellness programme. Wellness is a trend that goes beyond just physical health to include mental and social well-being, and resorts are offering a variety of programmes to meet this need.
The Westin Resort Kamran offers wellness programmes under the themes of ‘Move Well’, ‘Sleep Well’ and ‘Eat Well’. The resort offers services to promote mental and physical well-being in a 28-acre natural setting, including a state-of-the-art fitness studio and a range of exercise programmes.
The resort's ‘RunWestin Concierge’ service offers a range of exercise options, from morning jogs to coastal runs and cycling trails, while the latest fitness equipment rentals from Hyperice and Bala brands are also available. From September, workshops with wellness experts will be in full swing, offering expert advice and programmes on topics such as Sleep Well, Move Well and Eat Well.
Guest rooms at The Westin Resort Kamran offer optimal conditions for a good night's sleep, including the Westin Heavenly Bed, and the resort also offers a health-conscious room service menu. ‘Through our wellness programmes and personalised services, we will provide a healthy retreat experience and set a new standard for wellness resorts in Vietnam,’ said a resort representative.
**Samsung's ‘AI Home’ innovation, where wellness and smart technology meet
Samsung Electronics has participated in IFA 2024 in Berlin, Germany, to introduce its ‘AI Home’ solution. At the exhibition, Samsung set up a large booth of 6017 square metres and showcased various wellness solutions using SmartSense and AI technology. On the first day of the event, more than 700 domestic and foreign journalists visited Samsung's booth, and foreign media showed deep interest in Samsung's technological innovations.
SmartSync celebrated its 10th anniversary and introduced a wellness solution that utilises the latest technology. The solution provides the ability to check power consumption and savings in real time, and the Tesla booth demonstrated the SmartThings Energy service, which can manage electric vehicle energy and track solar power. In addition, the new SmartSync has added an automatic equipment registration function to maximise user convenience.
In particular, Samsung's AI assistant robot ‘Bolly’ attracted great attention from foreign media. The robot recognises various voice commands and projects a beam onto the floor to function as a smartphone pad. The 211-inch transparent micro-LED screen drew admiration from visitors for its clear image quality and transparent design.
Samsung is presenting a new living experience through the convergence of wellness and smart technology, and is enhancing the perfection of AI home solutions with various partner products. The exhibition was an important opportunity to showcase Samsung's technological excellence in the global market and demonstrate its integrated approach to wellness and smart technology.