{
  "id": 5475719,
  "title": "Horror master Junji Ito turns Seoul's Lotte World into surreal nightmare",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/horror-master-junji-ito-turns-seouls-lotte-world-into-surreal-5475719",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-04T03:02:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20260904/horror-master-junji-ito-turns-seouls-lotte-world-into-surreal-nightmare"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Japanese horror manga aficionados will find a spine-tingling new attraction in Lotte World this autumn. The celebrated Seoul theme park plans to metamorphose its grounds into a nightmarish realm inspired by the grotesque universe of renowned creator Junji Ito. Lotte World Adventure unveiled on Friday that its fall festival, aptly named “Invitation to Bizarre World,” will run from September 19 through November 15. This marks the inaugural occasion where Ito's chilling, psychological domain has been embodied within a comprehensive amusement park. For generations, Ito has astounded worldwide audiences with his unsettling body horror, grotesque imagery, and deeply disturbing narratives. His impact has transcended literature, spawning anime adaptations, live-action films, and art exhibitions globally. The Seoul park is now breathing life into Ito's signature aesthetic beyond the printed page. The festival envisions a dimensional rift opening within Lotte World, blurring the boundaries between reality and dark fantasy as strange occurrences permeate the park.",
  "summary": "Fans of Japanese horror manga will have a chilling new reason to visit Lotte World this fall, as the iconic Seoul theme park prepares to transform its grounds into a surreal nightmare directly inspired by the macabre universe of legendary artist Junji Ito. Lotte World Adventure announced Friday that its autumn festival, titled “Invitation to Bizarre World,” will run from Sept. 19 through Nov. 15.…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Seoul tourism program turns hidden coins into lessons in inclusion",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/seoul-tourism-program-turns-hidden-coins-into-lessons-in-inclusion",
        "published": "2026-09-04T02:22:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}