Fourteen bloggers from Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, the Philippines and elsewhere arrived in Korea on Nov. 18. They were guests of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and were here to spend four days sightseeing around the country.
They were selected based on their applications submitted to the KTO’s Visit Korea website (www.visitkorea.or.kr).
In Seoul, the bloggers were given an opportunity to explore various shopping and dining districts. They visited trendy tourist spots and watched a dance performance. On the third day, they travelled by train to Chuncheon in Gangwon-do Province (Gangwon Province) for a day of rail biking.
On Nov. 20, the KTO’s Visit Korea participants try out rail bikes in Chuncheon, Gangwon-do.
Most participants had visited Korea several times already and were avid fans of the country’s popular culture.
Mari Yosumi from Japan, who enjoys writing about Korea through various social media channels, said this was her 40th visit to Korea. When asked about her most memorable travel experience in Korea, she chose Seonjaedo Island near Incheon as her all-time favorite destination.
For Lucky Llanes from the Philippines, the trip was her second visit to Korea. According to her, “The Korean Wave is still a booming industry in the Philippines.” She said that Hallyu was fuelled in her country by Korean soap operas like “Lovers in Paris” and “Boys Over Flowers,” and that the reach of Korean pop culture has steadily expanded over the years. With a smile, she commented that her friends, who are all huge fans of Korean TV shows and music, were jealous of her winning a trip to the country this fall.
Participants Lucky Llanes (left) from the Philippines and Mari Yosumi from Japan enjoy their trip to Gangwon-do.
By Lee Hana
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Jeon Han
hlee10@korea.kr
