Hallyu: Redefining tourism in South Korea

Hallyu or the Korean wave has found a strong support system in India. It didn’t happen overnight, in fact, it has been around since the 1990s. Hallyu gained momentum in India in the early-mid 2000s with Korean Dramas (K-Dramas) like My Sassy Girl, The Classic, Full House, among many others. It has been a steady climb in terms of global popularity of South Korean culture which now brings us to the present-day scenario – the fever that is K-pop and its stars like the BTS, BLACKPINK and EXO among others. Fans of BLACKPINK (BLINKS) and BTS (A.R.M.Y) have taken over social media and it would be an understatement to say that Indians love Korean culture. Fun Fact: Hallyu is one of the main contributors towards the rise of tourism in South Korea. More and more people nowadays are exploring South Korea, or at least they plan to. Taking inspiration from what you love and experiencing places and culture first-hand must be the greatest thing about travel.

Here are five gorgeous destinations in South Korea you can plan for.

The capital city is also the largest city in South Korea. If you are wondering, this is where it all began – Hallyu and everything that comes with it. When in Seoul, you may want to experience K-pop culture first hand. You need to start with a visit to the Myeong-dong Underground Shopping Centre for K-pop albums and merchandise. And then there are various K-pop agencies like YG Entertainment (BLACKPINK) and Big Hit Entertainment (BTS), if you wish to grab a quick selfie for the ‘gram’. Seoul is also home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Changdeok Palace, Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, and the Jongmyo Shrine; these sites are steeped in history.

Remember the box office superhit movie Train to Busan? In that movie, train passengers travelling to Busan had a ‘little’ problem on the way. Zombie apocalypse to be precise. The movie went on to become a major hit globally and most certainly put Busan in the world map. It is safe to say that there will be no zombie apocalypse this time around, and you can explore Busan to your heart’s content. Busan is also home to the largest beach in South Korea – Haeundae Beach. Busan has festivals throughout the year. The most popular ones are Busan Sea Festival, Busan International Rock Festival, Busan International Film Festival, Busan Fireworks Festival, and the One Asia Festival – K-pop music festival.

The volcanic island is stunning. The serene environment of Jeju Island is in contrast with the metropolises we’ve talked about. But fans of K-Drama know what Jeju Island stands for. Yes, timeless romance in the lap of nature. The beautiful island vista has been the location for so many of the popular K-Dramas like Boys Over Flowers, Secret Garden and The Legend of the Blue Sea. Jeju Island is also home to the natural world heritage site, the Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes.

An important historical place, Gyeongju was the seat of the Silla kingdom. Gyeongju’s architecture is inspired by the Joseon Dynasty, and the city boasts of Gyeongju National Museum, one of the finest in South Korea, and also 31 national treasures. If you are a fan of Korean historical dramas, you will relate to this city.

The famous and busy port city is a must visit. Fans of Descendants of the Sun will be interested in exploring Wolmido Island. The island has several cool cafes and restaurants one can try out. Cheongna is popular for its theme park and many entertainment options. The iconic Incheon Bridge is one of the popular city attractions.