Seoul Shilla Hotel and Everland Expand K-POP Experience Facilities

Travel packages that allow guests to directly experience K-POP content are expanding. Seoul Shilla Hotel has launched K-cultural experience programs for foreign guests in collaboration with the World K-Pop Center, the country’s first and largest comprehensive K-POP specialist institution. These programs were created in response to increasing interest among foreign tourists in nearby Seonggak-gil and Namsan. The World K-Pop Center is the first organization in the K-POP education sector to obtain ISO international certification, boasting a systematic curriculum and experience in training global talent. The experience programs take place at the World K-Pop Center located on Namsan and are operated in two formats. The first is the “Short-Form Challenge Experience,” where participants can learn K-POP dances in a short time and create their own short-form content. The second is the “Premium Experience,” which allows guests to choose their favorite songs and learn how to perform more polished stages. A representative from Seoul Shilla Hotel stated, “We plan to continue offering high-quality K-cultural programs that enable foreign customers visiting South Korea to deeply experience local culture.”

K-POP experience content is also gaining momentum in the theme park sector. Everland, operated by Samsung C&T’s Resort Division, will open a themed zone based on Netflix’s animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” on the 26th. “KPop Demon Hunters” features K-POP girl groups fighting against evil spirits set against major landmarks in South Korea, and it has gained worldwide popularity to the point of becoming one of Netflix’s most-watched films ever. The themed zone will be located in Everland’s Festival Content Zone, where guests can view key scenes from the film and popular OSTs through large LED screens at a hanok-style entrance. The entire area is designed as a massive photo spot, allowing visitors to experience character-specific stories through mission-based games and interactive photo zones. In the “HUNTR/X” experience zone, guests can play flight shooting games and mole games, while in the “Golden Performance Photo Zone,” they can take commemorative photos against a golden ring backdrop. In the “Lion Boys” experience zone, visitors can listen to the OST of “Soda Pop,” try to match the lyrics, or play soul-offering games. Completing mission tasks after trying various games allows guests to receive special character design items.

Food and souvenirs are also well-equipped. The Snackbuster Restaurant near the Festival Content Zone operates under the concept of “Lion Boys’ Regular Snack Shop,” offering special menus that reflect their rival relationship in the story, such as the “HUNTR/X” set and the “Lion Boys” set. Food trucks provide fun snack options like “HUNTR/X Golden Glow Aide” and “Hot Mayo Hotdog.” The goods shop inside the themed zone will sequentially release 38 types of limited-edition merchandise, ranging from character-specific items such as keychains, magnets, and cushions to special products like “Panda x The Phi” costume dolls and “The Phi” embroidered hats. A dressing room is also available, where guests can draw unique ghost patterns on their faces or transform into characters by wearing ghost robes, hats, or idol stage costumes. As K-POP’s global popularity expands beyond mere music content to include travel experiences, it is becoming a new driving force for South Korea’s tourism industry.