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| September 9th, 2024 Korea Wellness News |
Welcome to our latest blog post, where we explore the exciting developments in Korea Wellness as of September 9th, 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.
How changes in the pharmaceutical industry relate to the wellness business
The pharmaceutical industry has been undergoing various changes in recent years, and there has been a growing focus on healthcare related to wellness. Lotte Healthcare has been focusing on the wellness business as a new growth engine, but the business performance has been minimal, raising the possibility of withdrawal. Meanwhile, the radioligand treatment Fluvixto will be introduced to 11 hospitals in Korea, and several rare disease treatments are applying for the second licence, evaluation and negotiation pilot project.
In the case of P-CAB generics, many pharmaceutical companies are entering the GERD treatment market, but various factors are still being considered for the launch of salt-modified drugs. The KFDA is evaluating its global GMP regulatory capabilities through the PIC/S reassessment, and the changes in the pharmaceutical industry related to wellness and healthcare are significant.
Wellness and innovation in the pharmaceutical industry are expected to be closely linked in the future and will play an important role in the development direction of the healthcare industry.
**Sancheong-gun's ‘24th Sancheong Herbal Medicine and Herb Festival’...a rich festival with wellness**.
Sancheong-gun will host the ‘24th Sancheong Herbal Medicine and Herb Festival’ from 27 September to 6 October at Dongbogam Village, Sancheong-gun. Under the slogan ‘The Mysterious Herbal Festa 1613’, the festival focuses on promoting the excellence of herbal medicines while emphasising the importance of wellness and relaxation.
The festival is designed to be enjoyed by young and old alike in a variety of fields, including themed events, exhibitions, performances, experiences, sales, and academics, and will be held in the beautiful natural environment of the Gulgul grass colony. The festival will provide visitors with opportunities to satisfy all five senses, reflecting modern people's interest in wellness and health. The Sancheong Herbal Medicine and Herb Festival is expected to have a positive impact on both the local community and tourists through a variety of contents and programmes on the theme of herbal medicine and herbs.
**Freeze Night, where wellness and art meet: Why Cheongdam-dong Needs That Party**.
On 4 September, ‘Frieze Seoul 2024’ and ‘Kiaf Seoul 2024’, held at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, were crowded with galleries and art lovers from home and abroad. At the same time, various exhibitions and events were held at various galleries and museums in downtown Seoul, attracting the attention of the art world.
Of particular note was ‘Frieze Cheongdam Night’ in Cheongdam-dong, which took place on the 5th at the D.A.D. Gallery, which, as an official sponsor of Frieze Live, presented a performance-based art programme. The programme offered a fresh experience to the audience through the intersection of art and wellness. Frieze Cheongdam Night was a fusion of contemporary art and wellness, offering an experience that goes beyond mere art appreciation, attracting art lovers to stay late into the night.
At the D.A.D. Gallery, a performance on the theme of ‘Nerve or Divine Pathway’ stimulated the artistic senses and provided a variety of cultural experiences, including an exhibition of the Pinot Collection from Paris, France and a tteokbokki party. These events fostered networking between art world figures and collectors, reaffirming the importance of off-market events.
Diad runs a membership social club centred on ‘wellness, work and pleasure’ and is proposing a new type of membership club that combines art and social activities. Artistic events such as Frieze Live are an important part of the club's vision, contributing to enriching members' interactions and artistic experiences.
**The Westin Resort and Spa, Klangran, a new standard in wellness and healing
Wellness tourism is booming as the term ‘wellness’ has evolved from ‘wellness’ in the past. The Cam Ranh region of Vietnam has recently become a hotspot for wellness tourism, and The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh is at the centre of it all. The resort stands out for its wellness programme, which focuses on emotional stability and overall well-being.
Surrounded by nine hectares of beautiful gardens and beaches, the resort offers a range of services to promote mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing in a natural setting. The WestinWORKOUT® fitness studio, equipped with the latest TRX and peloton equipment, is open 24 hours a day, and a partnership with Strava allows guests to enjoy coastal walks and jogging trails.
In addition, a series of wellness workshops themed ‘Sleep Well, Move Well, Eat Well’ will be held in September. These workshops will feature sleep experts, fitness experts and chefs to provide practical health and wellness tips. In particular, Westin's Sleep Well programme supports deep sleep with the latest Heavenly® Beds and superfood-based room service.
The Westin Resort and Spa, Kamran combines natural beauty with state-of-the-art wellness programmes to bring guests to a new level of healing, setting a new benchmark in wellness tourism.
**A night of wellness in a former royal residence in Jeonnam
A special trip that combines wellness and tradition is gaining traction with an overnight stay in an ancient house in Jeonnam. Jeonnam offers a variety of tourism contents that utilise its unique cultural heritage, including UNESCO World Heritage temples and seowon, traditional house stays, traditional food, and meditation experiences, and is promoting ‘Namdo K-Culture’ to the world.
Jeonnam's ‘K-Culture’ is a tourism product based on its unique cultural heritage, including World Heritage temples, seowon, and traditional house stays. In particular, Jeonnam's World Heritage sites, including the Hwasun Dolmen Ruins, Haenam Daeheungsa Temple, Suncheon Seonam Temple, and Jangseong Pilam Seowon Temple, provide an opportunity to enjoy the local scenery and tourism products together. In October, the World Heritage Festival will be held, and various programmes such as temple food experiences, meditation programmes, and demonstrations of the Gwakbuljae ritual will enhance the value of tourism in Jeonnam.
The ‘Jongga Stay’, where visitors can experience traditional Korean cuisine and Jongga food at an old house in Jeonnam, provides a differentiated travel experience for domestic and international tourists. Cultural experiences, tea ceremonies, and etiquette education at 12 ancient houses, including Jangheung Jukheon House, Glory Megandang House, and Boseong Jinjirae House, will provide an opportunity to deeply understand the beauty of traditional Korea.
In addition, at Pilam Seowon in Jangseong and Hyanggyo in Naju, visitors can experience the spiritual culture of southern Korea through traditional rituals and experiences with a Zen master. The National Gugak Academy of Namdo in Jindo offers gugak performances and experience programmes to promote the sounds of Namdo to the world.
In this way, Jeonnam is enhancing its competitiveness as a global tourist destination through various tourism contents that combine wellness and tradition.
**Wellness and Innovation Meet at IFA to Support K-Startups' Expansion into Europe***.
The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) successfully organised the ‘Korea-Germany Startup Open Innovation Week’ in Berlin, Germany, to support K-startups' expansion into Europe. The event was held during IFA 2024, Europe's largest consumer electronics exhibition, and provided a platform for cooperation between Korean and German startups and investors.
The event included various programmes such as the Korea-Germany CVC-Startup Open Innovation Summit, the Startup Pavilion of the Korea International Trade Association, the ‘K-IR Reception’ for Korean startups to pitch to German investors, and field visits to European innovation ecosystems and networking events. At the joint Korean startup booth, products and technologies of 10 Korean startups with various technologies such as AI, digital health, and drones were introduced, and product pitching and networking were held for large German companies and investors.
In particular, the ‘K-IR Reception’ and the ‘Korea-Germany CVC Open Innovation Summit’ discussed cooperation between large CVCs and startups in the two countries, and the KTA announced plans to sign a strategic MOU with a global startup platform to connect the startup ecosystems of the two countries and continue cooperation in commercialising innovative technologies.
Lee In-ho, vice chairman of the KTA, delivered a lecture at the event on ‘New Paths of Economic Exchange between the Two Countries through Innovation,’ and said that the KTA organised the event to open the way for startup cooperation between Korea and Germany and global trade through innovative technologies.
The trade association plans to continue startup cooperation by designating Germany as the host country for next year's ‘Next Rise’ exhibition.
**Sancheong Herbal Festival, wellness and pets in conflict**.
The 24th Sancheong Herbal Medicine and Herb Festival, organised by the Sancheong Festival Tourism Foundation, has sparked controversy among pet owners as the festival will be run as a ‘no-pet zone’ where pets are not allowed. The festival, which runs from the 27th to the 6th of next month, has announced plans to place pet shelters at the entrance, but no specific details of the shelters have been released.
The number of pet households in South Korea is expected to reach 5.52 million by the end of 2022, accounting for 25.7 per cent of all households. In particular, 4 October is Animal Protection Day during the festival, and some have argued that the ban violates their rights. Many pet owners use pet carriers or kennels to keep their pets out of harm's way, so a blanket ban is unreasonable.
The Sancheong Herbal Medicine and Herb Festival, with the slogan ‘The Mysterious Herbal Medicine Festa 1613,’ promotes the excellence of herbal medicine and herbal herbs, and is attracting attention as a festival that is linked to the herbal industry, wellness, relaxation, and modern concerns. However, the ban on pets calls into question the festival's inclusiveness in relation to wellness.
**Ace beds, wellness and luxury in the bedroom
Recently, the ‘Quiet Luxury’ trend has been gaining traction in bedroom interiors. This is a trend that emphasises comfort and relaxation rather than flashy silhouettes and understated luxury. ACE Beds reflects this trend by presenting products that combine elegant design with practicality.
The ‘LUCE-Ⅲ’ by ACE Bed creates a sensuous mood with high-grade temba board and LED lighting, recreating the cosy atmosphere of a boutique hotel. The LUNATO-IV is inspired by moonlight, with an elegantly curved headboard and voluminous cushions that create an elegant bedroom. It maximises comfort and is packed with smart features for your convenience.
In addition, the Royal Ace is a wellness mattress that incorporates Ace Bed's technology and know-how, and features hybrid Z springs for a comfortable sleeping experience. It is perfect for creating a luxurious bedroom interior that promotes a good night's sleep.
With these premium products, ACE BED is proposing a luxurious bedroom that harmonises with wellness.
**A luxury holiday with wellness, special for Chuseok holidays
During the Chuseok holidays, more and more people are choosing luxury holidays instead of visiting their hometowns. Major hotels across the country are offering various holiday packages that combine wellness and luxury to welcome guests.
Rolling Hills Hotel in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do, offers the ‘Dear My Parents’ package for parents. The package includes Guangdong Life & Health's Guangdong BaoGam ShuangHua Extract, HongXi Latte, carved cake, ShuangHua honey pear stick, and a handwritten letter.
Kensington Hotels & Resorts is also offering the opportunity for extended families of up to seven or eight people to come together with its ‘Golden Holiday’ package. Packages in Pyeongchang and Seorak Valley include a buffet breakfast, food and beverage vouchers, and access to the indoor pool and sauna.
Jeju WeHotel's ‘Mountain Walk & Spa’ package includes a tour of Hallasan Yeongsil and carbon spa therapy at the Medical Spa Centre, as well as a wellness programme.
Glad Hotel has teamed up with honey speciality brand Walker Bee to offer the ‘BEE MY Chuseok Package’. The package includes a gift set of honeycomb honey mini-jars, allowing guests to experience wellness and relaxation at the same time.
In this way, each hotel is offering a special Mid-Autumn Festival experience through a combination of wellness and luxury.
**Travel Market Cheongdo, a pop-up store in Seongsu-dong, Cheongdo, where wellness meets sustainability
Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, opened the ‘Travel Market Cheongdo’ pop-up store in Seongsu-dong, Seoul from 6 to 15 September to showcase the hidden charms of Cheongdo. Cheongdo is well known for its seedless persimmon ‘bansi’ and clean and healthy vegetables ‘hanjae minari’, and has recently become popular for its scenic view restaurants and healing cafes.
The pop-up store will showcase Qingdao's major tourist attractions and offer a variety of experiential events. Visitors can experience the charm of Qingdao first-hand through the photo zone, video zone, and experience zone. There will also be a variety of souvenirs on offer, such as Qingdao illustrated stickers, reusable bags, and Qingdao specialities.
The Qingdao class entitled ‘People Who Went to Qingdao, People Who Came from Qingdao’ is particularly noteworthy. In this class, influencers from photography and film, travel, and food will share their experiences in Qingdao, and you'll hear authentic stories from people who have moved to the city. There will also be programmes on wellness and sustainability, including wellness sauce making and zero waste workshops.
With this emphasis on wellness and sustainability, Qingdao is engaging with younger generations and spreading its appeal.
**Wellness and Diet: New Opportunities in the Healing Tourism Industry
Korean dietary practices have a long history and tradition, reflecting a deep concern for health and longevity, especially in stories such as Qin Shi Huang's tale of bulrocho and the garlic and wormwood of the Dangun myth. During the Joseon Dynasty, dietary texts such as Jeon Sun-ui's Sikryo Chan-yo emphasised the importance of traditional healthy eating. These traditions can have a major influence on the modern healing tourism industry.
Healing (wellness) tourism is currently worth around 573 trillion won ($573 billion) and is growing at a rate of 20 per cent annually. However, dietary healing is still an unexplored area in this market. Healing tourism utilising Korean diet and traditional recipes has great potential in the global market. Korea is well-equipped to provide healthy meals based on organic ingredients and traditional dietary recipes.
To successfully develop the dietary healing tourism industry, four main conditions are needed. First, healthy and delicious recipes for dietary dishes are needed. Second, the supply of fresh, organic ingredients must be guaranteed. Third, there must be a high demand for healing tourism, and fourth, a healing tourism complex must be created to provide a variety of dietary options. Korea currently fulfils the first three of these conditions, but the fourth, the creation of a complex, requires the active interest and support of local governments.
The support of the government and local governments is essential for the revitalisation of the dietary healing tourism industry. Legislation on diet and wellness needs to be enacted and relevant policies need to be put in place. This will enable Korea to play a leading role in the global healing tourism market.
**Wellness and Gangwon Land: Transforming a mega-development into a mixed-use resort**.
Following the deregulation of casinos, Gangwon Land is moving forward with a mega-development plan. The plan is to transform Gangwon Land into an international integrated resort, with a total investment of KRW 1.7 billion to design the future by August next year. Through the new master plan, Gangwon Land plans to build a new casino, a sky bridge, a wellness centre and a village.
By 2028, Gangwon Land will expand its casino on the site of a long-unused theme park and build new family-type business facilities such as a performance hall, infinity pool, and food court. In particular, the resort will build a ‘sky bridge’ connecting the mountain condominiums and the grand hotel to become a landmark.
This project is expected to be an important milestone for Gangwon Land's competitiveness and rebirth. The goal is to increase the proportion of non-casino resort revenue from the current 13 per cent to 30 per cent, increase the number of visitors from 6.8 million to 12 million per year, increase new employment to 3,400, and increase foreign tourists by more than 1,000 per cent.
The government and the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province plan to strengthen Gangwon Land's integrated resort capabilities and support various licences to enable it to compete on an international level. As a result, Gangwon Land is expected to raise its status as a wellness and family resort and play an important role in the global tourism market.
**Wellness and wellness: Actively supporting the hosting of Gariwangsan National Garden**.
The National Council of Rural and Remote Areas Governors has given its strong support to Jeongseon's bid to host the Gariwangsan National Garden, supporting wellness and local tourism development. The council held a meeting at Parkroche Resort and Wellness in Jeongseon on 6 September and expressed its support for Jeongseon County's plan to host the national garden.
After experiencing Zhengxian's tourism landmarks by riding the Gariwangshan Cable Car, the meeting sympathised with Zhengxian County's efforts to preserve and utilise Olympic heritage, develop national balance and overcome the risk of rural disappearance. The council also discussed direct sales of local agricultural and fishery products and the promotion of policy forums to overcome the disappearance of rural areas.
‘The council will play a pivotal role in overcoming the population decline in rural areas and the crisis of rural disappearance,’ said Choi Seung-joon, chairman of the council. Since its establishment in 2012, the National Council of Counties in Rural Areas has grown to include 76 counties and is working towards sustainable rural development.
The endorsement is seen as an important milestone in the development of wellness and local tourism, and the hosting of the Gariwangsan National Garden in Jeongseon is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy and wellness tourism.
**Wellness and Gariwangsan: Transforming into Korea's top healing tourism destination
Gariwangsan Mountain in Jeongseon, Gangwon-do, will be transformed into Korea's top wellness tourism destination. The county plans to turn the mountain into a national garden and develop it into a tourist destination that combines wellness and fitness.
At 1561 metres above sea level, Gariwangsan is the ninth highest mountain in South Korea and offers spectacular views of the mountain range and the Unhae Sea. The mountain has four hiking trails and a variety of natural scenery, including the Hoedong Valley, which has recently been visited by many tourists thanks to the installation of a cable car. The cable car takes you to the summit in 20 minutes and is glassed in on all sides, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Jeongseon-gun is working to have Gariwangsan designated as a forest-type national garden, which would be the first forest-type national garden in Korea. It is expected to cost about 128 billion won to build, with an economic impact of 1.5 trillion won and employment of 5,500 people. The project is expected to play an important role in revitalising the economy of the stagnant mining region and counteracting rural decline.
The creation of the Gariwangsan National Garden will further enhance wellness tourism in Jeongseon, providing domestic and international tourists with opportunities for healing and fitness.
AI meets the pharmaceutical industry...revolutionising drug development
The paradigm of drug development is being rewritten by the AI revolution. By utilising AI technology, the development period for new drugs is expected to be shortened from 15 years to seven years, and the cost is expected to be reduced from about 2 to 3 trillion won to 600 billion won. AI can quickly analyse millions of data to do in a matter of days what researchers have been doing for years, and efficiently improve the process of candidate discovery and development.
Major Korean pharmaceutical companies are collaborating with AI companies or building their own AI drug discovery systems. Hanmi Pharmaceutical is collaborating with an AI-based drug discovery startup to discover anti-cancer candidates, while Yuhan Yanghwa has announced plans to invest KRW 4.7 trillion in research and development using AI. Dong-A Aesti and Samjin Pharmaceutical are applying AI to RNA-based gene therapy and brain disease research.
In addition, JW Pharmaceutical, Daewoong Pharmaceutical, and SK Bioscience have each developed their own AI drug discovery systems to revolutionise the process of drug candidate discovery and vaccine development. The government is creating an AI-based drug development ecosystem through the K-Melody project, and is also fostering human resources through an AI drug development training platform.
AI is not only contributing to new drug development, but also to innovations related to wellness. Kakao Healthcare's mobile blood glucose management service and Lotte Healthcare's body shape analysis AI are examples of this, and the development of AI technology related to wellness is expected.
Busan City is actively promoting wellness tourism and discovering new tourist destinations
Busan City is promoting wellness tourism in earnest to become a special purpose tourism city. Busan City and the Busan Tourism Organization announced that they will upgrade six Busan-type wellness tourist destinations selected last year and start a competition for ‘2024 New Wellness Tourism Destinations’ from the 9th.
The Busan-type wellness tourist destinations are Busan Children's University Park Healing Forest, Nine Mountains Forest, Gwangalli SUP Zone, Club Dioasis, Naewonjeongsa Temple, and Hongsa Temple, which were selected in three thematic areas: ▲ Nature (forest and ocean) ▲ Beauty and Spa ▲ Yoga and Meditation. These tourist destinations are recognised as spaces of healing and consolation.
From this year, Busan plans to expand its wellness tourism destinations to a total of five areas by adding ▲stay ▲food themes. New wellness tourist destinations will be designated by receiving recommendations from 16 districts and counties and evaluating the capacity, infrastructure, and growth potential of the tourist destinations.
In addition, the city plans to operate the ‘Busan Wellness Tourism Academy’ to train wellness professionals and use them to operate wellness contents. Wellness tourism and medical tourism convergence contents will be developed and operated from October, and the slogan design selected in the Busan Wellness Tourism Brand Image Contest held in August will be used for strategic promotion and marketing.
‘In line with the trend of healing and healing-oriented tourism, we will discover Busan-specific wellness tourism destinations and support content advancement so that Busan can leap forward as a special purpose-built tourism city,’ said Park Geun-rok, head of the Korea Tourism Organization.
Samyang Group, 100 years of history and future vision through wellness and bio
Samyang Group is celebrating 100 years of history and heralding a new leap forward in wellness and bio. Founded in 1924, Samyang Group has grown in various fields, including food, chemicals, packaging, and bio. The food business in particular has averaged more than KRW 1.1 trillion in sales since 2013, and recently achieved KRW 1.595 trillion in sales.
Samyang Group's food business produces more than 800 ingredients in Ulsan, Incheon, and Asan, and has achieved innovative achievements such as mass production of allulose using enzyme technology. In addition, it is also working to develop ingredients for health functional foods such as ovarian maltodextrin and fructooligosaccharides.
The chemical business is also noteworthy. Samyang Group's sales in the chemicals business have grown rapidly since 2012, thanks to its excellent performance in polycarbonate raw materials and silicone compound additives. Currently, Samyang Group's sales in the chemicals business amount to KRW 2,907.1 billion.
Samyang Group is also focusing on the packaging and bio-health sectors. In particular, the bio business has been in existence since 1992, with biodegradable sutures and innovative new drug R&D, and is accelerating the construction of global production bases.
Samyang Group will continue to expand its speciality business centred on wellness and health & wellness materials through ‘change and innovation’ and further strengthen its global competitiveness.
Wellness and Innovation Meet, Newin's Electronic Drug ‘Adnox’ Wins Meditech Award
Newin has won the ‘BEST’ award in the Therapeutic and Surgical Devices category at the 2024 Medtech Innovation Awards. Newin also won the ‘BEST Award’ for its dry eye treatment device ‘LUX’ last year.
The winning device, ADDNOX, is an electronic medical device that provides innovative technology to relieve ADHD symptoms through electrical pulse stimulation during sleep. The device not only relieves patients' ADHD symptoms, but also allows them to remotely track their treatment progress and create a sleep environment through a mobile application. It utilises a “patient-specific electrical stimulation protocol” to support effective ADHD treatment.
‘Adnox’ was certified by the US FDA in 2023, and is currently undergoing additional FDA certification procedures ahead of its US market launch in the second half of next year. In Korea, the company plans to launch its wellness device ‘Weednox’ in the second half of this year with KC certification.
‘This is the world's first wearable device that treats ADHD through electrical pulse stimulation during sleep and can monitor sleep environment with a mobile application,’ said a representative from Newin. ’With this award, we plan to accelerate the entry of ADHD electronic medication into domestic and overseas markets and continue R&D for customised treatment with minimal drug side effects.’
The Medtech Innovation Awards is an event that evaluates innovative technologies in the medical device and healthcare sectors to help them enter the domestic and international markets, and was held for the second time this year. 42 technologies were selected as ‘Excellent’ and 10 technologies were selected as ‘Best’ at the event.
Supporting Wellness and Independence: International Symposium on Autism Spectrum Disorders in Adults concludes
The International Symposium on ‘Understanding Adult Autism Spectrum Disorder and Building a System for Independence’, hosted by Severance Hospital for the Developmentally Disabled and the Behavioural Development Promotion Center, was successfully held on the 6th. The event brought together autism spectrum disorder experts from Korea, the United States, and Japan to discuss various ways to support adult patients' independence.
The symposium kicked off with a lecture on ‘A General Understanding of Adult Autism Spectrum Disorder’ by Dr Geun-Ah Chun, Director of the Centre, who highlighted how adults with ASD differ from children, the mental and physical challenges they face in adulthood, and the importance of individually tailored treatment.
Professor Edward Broadkin from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Professor Sohyun Kim from the Department of Psychology at Korea University presented on the process of independence and emotional development in adults with ASD. Professor Broadkin emphasised the importance of communication skills, self-help skills and vocational skills, and the need for planning from adolescence. Professor Sohyun Kim analysed the functional development of people with ASD and noted the need to build Korean data.
Professor Vanessa Husbal from Ruggers University introduced eight models of wellness, including emotions, to guide mental health management for adult patients with ASD, and Kazuki's mother, who shared her experience as a family member of a patient with ASD in Japan, introduced the Japanese welfare system and suggested ways to develop the Korean system.
‘Adult patients with ASD face a variety of challenges in their daily lives, not just medical issues,’ said Professor Geun-Ah Chun. ’Through this symposium, we aimed to explore ways to support patients and their families, raise awareness, and discuss treatment options.’
Wellness and Travel to Korea: K-Tourism Roadshow in the Philippines
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization held a ‘K-Tourism Roadshow’ in Manila, Philippines, from 6 to 8 November, with the aim of promoting the appeal of travel to Korea to Filipino travellers in preparation for the winter peak season.
Held at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, 40 organisations from the Korean travel industry participated in the Travel Mart, and more than 250 people from the Philippines, including government officials and travel industry figures, attended the event, with a total of 350 people conducting more than 2,000 business consultations, demonstrating the high level of interest and enthusiasm for Korean tourism.
The two consumer events, themed ‘Winter in Korea’ and ‘Family Fun in Korea’, were attended by over 50,000 visitors. The event, held at Glorietta Shopping Mall, featured a snow performance to make wishes for the first snowfall, a 3D experience centre and photo zone to experience autumn and winter in Korea, and performances by Hallyu stars such as EXO's Siumin and Punch.
On the 6th, the Korea Tourism Organization signed a business agreement with major financial institutions in the Philippines at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel to simplify visa applications, which will be used to promote a programme to simplify visa application documents for Filipino high-income earners and to launch a tourism campaign to visit Korea.
‘This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Philippines, and the number of Filipino tourists visiting Korea has increased by 62 per cent year-on-year through July,’ said Seo Young-chung, Acting President of the Korea Tourism Organization. ’Through this roadshow, we plan to expand the number of Filipino tourists to more than 500,000.’
In addition, the K-Tourism Australia B2B Roadshow will be held in Sydney and Brisbane, Australia from the 11th, and ‘Step to Korea in Osaka’ will be held in Osaka, Japan from the 14th to the 15th. In Toronto, Canada, we will hold the ‘Korean Culture & Tourism Expo’ from 21st to 22nd, showcasing various contents such as vegan food, wellness, and outdoor activities.
Wellness and digital fitness: Rapid changes in the Canadian market
The digital fitness market in Canada has been growing rapidly in recent years and is expected to reach $1.071 billion in revenue by 2024. According to Statista, the market is expected to reach $1.479 billion by 2029, representing a compound annual growth rate of 6.7 per cent. This growth is largely attributed to technological advancements and increasing demand for wellness solutions.
Canadian consumers favour home fitness equipment and applications, and many have formed a new habit of exercising at home. According to the 2023 report, 77 per cent of Canadians prefer the convenience of exercising at home. Traditional fitness facilities, such as gyms and yoga centres, are also adapting to the market shift with hybrid models that mix in-person and virtual classes.
User penetration in the digital fitness market is expected to reach 46.2 per cent in 2024 and 55.5 per cent by 2029. Average monthly revenue per user (ARPU) is estimated to be around $59.3, with digital fitness users and spending expected to continue to grow.
The integration of wellness solutions with digital fitness is emerging as a major trend. While traditional workout tracking-focused services are declining, wellness solutions, including mental health and personal nutrition counselling, are booming. This indicates that a variety of wellness services tailored to consumer needs is driving the digital fitness market.
‘To succeed in the Canadian fitness market, it's important to constantly monitor consumer needs and reflect them in your products and services,’ the market expert emphasised. In particular, a strategy that reflects the latest trends and ethical elements is essential.
The digital fitness market in Canada is dominated by major global brands such as Fitbit and Garmin, with wellness-focused platforms such as Calm also gaining traction. These platforms offer mental health, personalised workout plans, community-based fitness experiences, and are expanding the inclusive concept of fitness.
In conclusion, the digital fitness market in Canada is moving towards comprehensive healthcare that is integrated with wellness and is expected to continue to grow. Korean companies will be able to successfully enter this market by adapting their strategies to reflect a variety of local consumer needs, including mental health, personalised exercise programmes, and providing a community-based platform.
The future of wellness and beauty: Newkin's 40th Anniversary Global Live Celebration
Newkin Korea celebrated the 40th anniversary of its global headquarters, Newkin Enterprise, with the successful conclusion of Newkin Live EAST 2024. The event took place from 5-7 September at the Inspire Entertainment Resort in Incheon, and was attended by more than 11,000 sales leaders and executives from around the world.
The event was themed ‘All In’ and was an opportunity to share Newkin's vision for Newkin 4.0. The opening day featured the Newkin Force for Good 3K Run, which emphasised giving back and social responsibility, with a portion of the entry fee going to support children in need.
The sixth day included a media show celebrating Newkin's 40th anniversary, a keynote address from CEO Ryan Napierski, and the unveiling of the ‘Newkin 4.0’ vision and strategy. Newkin founders Steve Lund and Sandy Tillotson also shared their social impact work. Vice President Yoko Little and Chairman Joseph Chang introduced the Mind 360 brand and its latest products, which were well received.
On the 7th, Mike Walsh, CEO of global consulting firm Tomorrow, and marketing consultant Kindra Hall delivered storytelling talks, while Newkin's Got Talent, featuring Newkin sales leaders, and a celebratory performance by singer RAIN livened up the event.
At the event, a brand experience zone was set up where guests could experience Newkin's signature products, and new products such as Mind 360, AgeLock True Face Peptide Retinol Complex, and Epoch Sika Balm were on display. In particular, K-beauty and K-health products that are only available in Korea were also introduced.
‘Newkin's 40 years of growth is due to the hard work of our sales leaders,’ said a representative from Newkin, ’and this event with our members in Korea, a leading global beauty market, allowed us to explore sustainable growth and the future.’
Wellness and Jeju: Taiwanese tourists set to hit record this year
The number of Taiwanese tourists visiting Jeju is set to reach a record high this year. The Jeju Tourism Organization announced today that 86,751 Taiwanese tourists had visited the island through July, already surpassing last year's total of 69,941 visitors. This was achieved by Jeju Island and the Jeju Tourism Organization in collaboration with cruise lines, airlines, and travel agencies.
This year, seven cruise ships arrived in the island, and the Taipei-Jeju direct air route was launched with 21 daily flights from three airlines, greatly improving accessibility for Taiwanese tourists. In response, Jeju Island and Jeju Tourism Organization are focusing on marketing to young people and the special interest tourism (SIT) market to stabilise the direct route and expand diverse tourism demand.
In particular, Jeju Island launched a Jeju product in collaboration with Taiwanese YouTuber Chaiaka, which was used by approximately 900 people in the two months of July and August. In addition, Jeju Island is also promoting content tailored to the MZ generation through its tourism information portal, Bijitjeju, and social media channels.
We are also focusing on offline promotion. The Korea Tourism Organization participated in the ‘2024 K-Tourism Roadshow in Taipei’ to promote Jeju's wellness and gastronomy to the Taiwanese MZ generation. The Jeju Island organised a promotional booth in collaboration with local universities, and students from Jeju University participated in the roadshow.
‘We are very encouraged that the Taiwanese tourism market is expected to record a record number of visitors,’ said an official from the Jeju Tourism Organization, ’and we will strive to diversify our products for both individual travellers and group package deals.’
Harmony between wellness and art, Yeongju's ‘Sunbine Art Guesthouse’ completes September programme
(The September ‘Sunbine Art Homestay’ programme, organised by the Yeongju Culture & Tourism Foundation, has successfully concluded. The programme was held at Sunbijon Village for two days and two nights from 7th to 8th September, and provided art and wellness experiences for 20 elementary school students.
The programme was divided into three main parts: first, an art experience with Artist in 148's 7th resident artists (STUDIO 1750, Lee Ji-hoo and Jung Da-hee); second, a “Shining Night of Art Homestay” to heal the body and mind in a tranquil mansion; and third, a “Morning of Inspiration” programme where nature and art were combined in a unique experience.
Participants had the opportunity to unleash their creativity and heal in an environment where nature and art come together. The programme, which was held in the harmonious nature of Sunbee Village, was a great hit with the children, providing them with a new experience through the fusion of art and wellness.
In October, the foundation plans to offer various art experiences and healing opportunities through the ‘Sunbine Art Camp’ programme. ‘Through this programme, children were able to express their creativity through art and have a healing time with nature,’ said a foundation official. ’We will continue to provide programmes for people of all ages to enjoy cultural arts.’
Wellness and medical tourism opens Seoul International Travel Mart
Seoul will host the Seoul Medical Tourism International Travel Mart 2024 from 9-11 September at Sofitel Ambassador Seoul in Songpa-gu to promote its medical tourism resources overseas. The event will be attended by more than 100 tourism industry officials, including Kim Sang-han, the city's first deputy mayor for administration, and Kim Kyung-kyung, chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Assembly's Committee on Culture, Sports and Tourism, with a total of 300 tourism companies (60 overseas and 240 domestic) participating.
During the event, there will be various promotional stations where visitors can experience Seoul's medical and wellness tourism content. Zen Therapy Natural Healing Centre will offer Himalayan Singing Ball and Tingxia experiences, Daeyoung Plastic Surgery will provide scalp and skin diagnosis services, and Bright Eye Eye and Jamsil will offer eye exams and vision correction consultations. Villaerbatium will display emotional perfumes and aromatic fragrance oils, while Yeo Yongguk Oriental Spa will offer constitutional experiences and herbal cosmetics.
In addition, Professor Son Myung-hee Sohn of Samsung Medical Centre and Dr Raimund Troyer of Jasang Oriental Hospital will be giving lectures on the use of AI technology and demonstrating the Chu Na method. Networking dinners and a B2B Travel Mart are also planned, while a Seoul medical tourism briefing will feature presentations from Kangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul Asan Medical Center, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, and Severance Hospital.
Participants will be able to enjoy a variety of experiences and sightseeing at Bukhaksan Mountain, Atomic Energy Hospital, Seoul Oriental Medicine Centre, Seoul Culture Lounge and more. Through the International Travel Mart, Seoul plans to strengthen its competitiveness in the global medical tourism market and promote the convergence of wellness and medical tourism.
HDC Hyundai Industrial Development Company and Seoul Asan Medical Center sign MOU on wellness and personalised healthcare
HDC Hyundai Development Company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Seoul Asan Medical Center to develop a personalised healthcare programme at the Gwangwoondae Station Area Development Project, which will provide preventive medicine-focused healthcare services at the project's premium wellness residences.
The Gwangwoondae Station Area Development Project is a KRW 4.5 trillion mixed-use development project covering 150,000 square metres in the Gwangwoondae Station area in Wolgye-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul, and has received approval from the Seoul Metropolitan Government for a residential construction project plan. The project is scheduled to begin construction in November, and HDC Hyundai Development & Construction plans to introduce a premium wellness residence in the area.
Under the agreement, Seoul Asan Medical Center will provide specialized and differentiated healthcare programmes and operate an integrated preventive medicine solution centred on personalised care and telemedicine. This is expected to enable local residents to lead healthier lives.
‘The Gwangwoon Bandwidth Zone Development Project is a project that promotes healthy and nature-friendly living in the heart of the city, and we are pleased to be able to provide high-quality healthcare services to local residents through our collaboration with Seoul Asan Medical Center,’ said an official from HDC Hyundai Development Company.
In addition to this MOU, HDC Hyundai Development & Industrial Complex is expanding the impact of the project by collaborating with various companies and organisations, having signed an MOU with Snow Peak Korea in March to jointly develop content for the Urban Green Village and an MOU with Korea University in May for continuing education and youth career development.
Hapcheon County, the first K-Wellness City in the country to be re-certified
Hapcheon-gun has been recertified as a ‘K-Wellness City’ by the Korea Wellness Industry Association, the first in the country. ‘K-Wellness City’ is a programme that certifies local governments that pursue healthy living physically, mentally, and socially, and Hapcheon-gun was recertified after its first certification in 2021.
Wellness is more than just physical health, it is a lifestyle that includes mental stability, a sustainable environment, and a healthy lifestyle. The K-Wellness City designation is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the applicant's willingness to foster the wellness industry and the level of resident participation.
With this recertification, Hapcheon-gun will have the authority as a wellness city for three years, and the Wellness Association will prioritise promoting Hapcheon-gun at domestic and international exhibitions and conferences. Hapcheon-gun aims to develop into a ‘wellness luxury city with leisure’ by developing tourism contents utilising nature.
‘We are grateful for the re-selection and will use this opportunity to further strengthen our capabilities as a wellness city,’ said Kim Yoon-cheol. ‘We will support Hapcheon County's role as a wellness city,’ said Mija Kim, President of the Korea Wellness Industry Association.
The achievement of Hapcheon-gun is considered an important milestone for the growth and development of the local wellness industry.
Bonghwa County announces wellness-focused ‘Bonghwa 2040 Future Vision’
Bonghwa-gun held a ‘Bonghwa 2040 Future Vision Proclamation Ceremony’ at the Youth Centre on the 9th, with the aim of presenting a blueprint for the sustainable development of Bonghwa in the second half of the eighth term of the civilian government and sharing it with the public.
Bonghwa County's new future vision is set in five directions: future-proof agricultural innovation, five-sensory attraction tourism, sustainable growth city, smile-gaining happy city, and future-value forest management. Among these, the highlights related to wellness include ‘smile-gaining happy city’ and ‘future-value forest management’.
‘Smile Gain Happiness City’ is a plan to create a happy city by building a large-scale silver wellness town and strengthening policies to support low birthrate and youth. ‘Future Value Forest Management’ is to revitalise the timber industry in cooperation with the National Heritage Materials Centre and promote national policies related to forests to build a city specialising in forests.
Introducing major projects such as the K-Vietnam Valley project, smart farms, and pumped storage power generation, Bonghwa County Governor Park Hyun-guk expressed his intention to lead the future of Bonghwa to the people. Through this vision, Bonghwa County plans to overcome the depopulation crisis and promote regional development.
Busan to become wellness tourism hub...healing in the forest and sea
Busan City is promoting wellness tourism in earnest to become a global tourism hub city. Busan City and the Busan Tourism Organization announced that they will launch a competition for ‘New Wellness Tourism Destinations in 2024’ from the 9th to the 27th.
Wellness tourism destinations are tourist destinations for the healing of the body and mind, and are categorised into various themes such as nature (forest and ocean), beauty and spa, and yoga and meditation. Based on the six wellness tourism destinations selected for the first time last year, Busan City plans to raise the level of these destinations by supporting the development of customized wellness programmes, improving acceptance, and marketing consulting.
From this year, the number of wellness tourism destinations will be expanded to a total of five themes by adding accommodation (Stay) and food (Food) themes. We plan to designate new Busan-type wellness tourism destinations by receiving recommendations from 16 districts and counties and evaluating their capacity, infrastructure, and growth potential. By 2026, the city aims to designate a total of 15 wellness tourism destinations.
The city will also run the ‘Busan Wellness Tourism Academy’ from the 10th to the 22nd of next month to foster professional personnel in the wellness field, and will also provide specialised content combining wellness tourism and medical tourism from October.
‘In line with the trend of healing and healing-oriented tourism, we will discover wellness tourism destinations unique to Busan and enhance content to position the city as a special purpose-built tourism destination,’ said Park Geun-rok, director of Busan City Tourism Marketing. The city also plans to strengthen its promotional and marketing activities by using the slogan design (BI) selected in the recent wellness tourism brand image contest.
Nami Island to offer a rich programme of wellness and traditional experiences for Chuseok 2024
Nami Island has prepared a rich programme of wellness and traditional experiences for the 2024 Chuseok holiday. During this year's Chuseok holiday, which runs from the 14th to the 18th, Nami Island will offer a variety of cultural events and healing activities for families.
Traditional Korean folk games such as jaejae kick, ring toss, daehala, yutnori and scabbing will be performed in the square in front of Nami Kongkur Gallery in the centre of Nami Island, while the ‘Tell Me Your Wish’ programme will allow visitors to write down their wishes and hang them on the full moon. Visitors dressed in hanbok can take part in special events, and those who upload a hanbok photo to Instagram can win a ‘Namiseom Necut’ photo and a snowman card or postcard.
During the Chuseok holiday, Nami Island will be hosting craft activities such as spinning wheel spinning and painting mugs, soju bottles, and snowman figurines outdoors. Visitors can also try on traditional costumes from other countries at the ‘Indian Style, Indian Costume Experience’. Free performances include a harmonica musical journey by the Lee Ye-Young Band and traditional percussion and lion dance performances by the Korean percussion troupe Hwon every day.
Known as a wellness destination, Nami Island also runs a wellness programme based on the Finnish Ministry of Education-certified early childhood education curriculum. The programmes include making accessories from natural objects and colour psychology counselling.
Activities include exploring the forest using bicycles, e-bikes, story tour buses and sharing trains, as well as motorboats, jet boats, rowing boats and duck boats. The water garden offers a heated pool, so you can enjoy water fun even during the Obon holidays. There is also a ‘lucky draw’ event for zip-wire riders and a mini traditional tug-of-war experience.
On Nami Island, local specialities such as steamed buns, pine nut pastry with Gapyeong pine nuts, and pine nut gelato will be served. The Craft Liquor Shop also offers a variety of gift options, including a traditional liquor exhibition and a Chuseok gift exhibition.
Nami Island, located just outside of Seoul, is a great place to spend the day this Chuseok holiday, and for more information, visit Nami Island's website or call.
HDC Hyunsan develops new city centre with wellness: relocates headquarters and develops Gwangwoon broadband zone
HDC Hyundai Development Company (HDC Hyunsan) is in full swing with its plans to relocate its headquarters and develop a new city centre. With the recent approval of the Gwangwoon Broadband Tax Zone development project, Hyunsan is leading a large-scale development by relocating its headquarters.
**The Gwangwoon Area Development is a project to develop a 150,000-square-meter site in Wolgye-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul, with an investment of KRW 4.5 trillion. The development will include more than 3,000 apartments, a street mall, commercial facilities, hotels, offices, and a wellness centre. HDC Hyunsan is leading the development of the new urban centre through this project, and the headquarters relocation is scheduled to take place by 2028.
The relocation of HDC Hyunsan's headquarters to Gwangwoon Station, after Gangnam and Yongsan, is expected to spur urban renewal and redevelopment in the surrounding area. In particular, the area around the Gwangwoon Station development is an area that is undergoing redevelopment and reconstruction, with expanding transportation networks such as the GTX C Line and Northeast Line, and is expected to be a wellness-focused development.
The relocation of the headquarters and the development of the new city centre are in line with HDC Hyunsan's traditional urban development strategy, and with the policy support of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, it is expected to expand opportunities for local development.
Convergence of wellness and genetic analysis: Macrogen's GentokAI service
Genetic testing is becoming an important tool for managing an individual's current and future health. Macrogen recently launched GentokAI, a service that combines wellness and genetic analysis, breaking new ground in personalised healthcare. The service identifies individual health characteristics through genetic analysis and uses AI to improve the convenience and accuracy of testing.
GentokAI helps users easily understand their genetic information. If users have difficulty understanding the results of 129 genetic analyses, they can ask the AI questions to get the information they need. The service suggests personalised health management strategies including dietary habits, exercise capacity, metabolic rate, and more, and also supports integrated health management through gut microbiome analysis.
In 2022, Macrogen will launch a direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing certification scheme, providing an environment where individuals can get genetic tests directly. Recently, genetic tests for disease-like items have also become available, allowing users to check various health information such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar.
Macrogen is also developing a gene-based healthcare service in collaboration with Samsung Electronics, and plans to provide automated and personalised services to customers using AI technology. GentokAI automatically analyses and summarises customers' genetic information to maximise the efficiency of personalised healthcare.
‘Through innovative services such as GentokAI, we will help customers easily understand their genetic information and better manage their health,’ said Seungbin Lee, Head of Technology Strategy at Macrogen.
Revolutionising wellness and children's healthcare: Dotz Corporation's lifecycle healthtech services
Dots Corporation is an emerging startup that provides lifecycle wellness healthtech services for children and families. The company manages the health of children and adults through premium, personalised nutrition and dietary supplements. In particular, the company offers all-in-one nutrition for children's growth and health, products to support gut health, and products containing New Zealand colostrum and Dutch goat milk.
Currently, Dots Corporation is supported by CNT Stadium, CNTech's sports acceleration support programme, and has recorded a CAGR of 322%. The company's products are designed to be chewable, and it also offers a premium 1:1 mentoring service that is tailored for children and the whole family.
Notably, Dots Corporation's founder and co-founder are former Amorepacific employees and have strong expertise in branding and marketing. The company has been increasing sales of children's nutritional products through various distribution channels, including Quten in Japan, and recorded sales of 5.3 billion won last year, and expects to exceed 10 billion won this year.