By: me
Today, I have checked a few (well, tons of ... since the weather in Korea has not improved) pages about tourism in Korea and Seoul and I came across a few interesting things that I would like to share with you.
Domestic Tourism in Korea
Here is a recent article of Korea JoongAng Daily titled KTO head takes time off to tour Korea. Frankly speaking, other people’s vacations are usually boring, unless those people are really famous and/or funny (KTO head may be a former actor, I prefer Mr. Bean’s Holiday). However, I encourage all Korean bosses to read this article just to know why they should encourage (and even oblige) their employees to take more vacation in order to know and enjoy their country better. Thank you Mr. Lee (Charm)!
Seoul Branding through Music
Here is a creative and funny video that tells a story of Seoul subway. It is surely a little bit ironic but I can tell you that there are no special effects or reality distortion at all. Now the question is, would you come to Seoul just for its subway?
Seoul branding through K-Pop
First, check the article:
Girl group SNSD has been selected by the Korean government to become the official face of tourism for the country.
Then watch the video:
Then watch the video:
And finally ask yourself: how showing sexy, cute, attractive, flawless, fake (oups, sorry I said it again !) faces and half-naked bodies can help promote tourism to Korea? Or may be this is for Medical Tourism? But do people really want to go to Korea just to see K-pop singers? That is another question …
Funny to notice that when you google ‘face+tourism+Korea’, the first page of results include: Faceshop, ‘The importance of saving face in Korea’ and ‘Korea Plastic Surgery – it’s different’
Or would it be that 'the face of Korea' actually means the 'Underbelly of the ‘Korean Wave’ as Jasper Kim writes it in an article about the Hallyu industry, starting with: "Imagine a world where slavery, often involving underage and unsuspecting victims, is not only condoned, but legally enforced. This is not fiction, but fact, in one of Asia’ most prolific entertainment export-oriented country ― South Korea (Asia’s fourth largest economy and OECD member state) ― involving the so-called “Korean Wave.”
You can also check a nice post about K-pop hangover here from En Corée du Sud blog (en Français mes amis, désolée!).
Should I homestay or should I go?
Finally, I have also found out that Korea's willingness to promote its tourism was not always (euphemism) transformed into sustainable / long lasting practices and actions. For example, what about Homestay in Korea? We get two different perspectives.
Sigh ... Consistency ... Continuity ...
