From K-dramas to BTS: How pop culture is reshaping tourism in South Korea
Fans are travelling to South Korea to experience the worlds of their favourite K-dramas and K-pop stars, creating new tourism opportunities and offering hope to communities grappling with population decline.
South Korea's pop culture scene, from K-dramas to BTS, is reshaping the tourism industry in the country. For Norwegian tourist Annette Giwlebo, a love of Korean dramas made her feel as though she was walking through scenes she had only seen on screen. In Busan, the global popularity of K-pop superstars BTS is driving new tourism opportunities.
The city welcomed over 3.4 million foreign visitors between January and August, a 46% increase compared to the same period a year earlier. Local businesses, such as the Paradise Hotel Busan, have seen a significant rise in foreign guests and occupancy rates. The trend extends beyond K-pop, with temple stay tourism also experiencing growth, as visitors seek mental peace and comfort.
In Busan's Ami-dong neighbourhood, known as the "gravestone village," the connection to BTS fans, or "ARMY," has provided a new source of hope for reviving the area's declining population.
Written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
