South Korea’s Ministry of Culture and the Korea Tourism Organization have officially appointed rising K-pop girl band New Jeans as the country’s new tourism ambassadors. Formed by ADOR, the band consists of five members: Minzy, Hanni, Daniel, Hyelin and Haein.
Tourism numbers to South Korea have recovered to pre-pandemic levels this year, with a third of the influx being driven primarily by K-pop and K-dramas, commonly known as the Korean Wave.
Previous Korean celebrity tourism ambassadors appointed include “Squid Game” star and Emmy Award-winning actor Lee Jeong-jae in 2023, global K-pop star BTS in 2022, and soccer star Son Heung-min in 2021.
Love Korean dramas? Here are some popular K-drama filming locations you can visit in Korea.
What you need to know about South Korea’s newest tourism ambassador, New Jeans
With New Jeans in the spotlight as tourism ambassadors, South Korea’s Ministry of Culture is hoping to attract more tourists. The band debuted in 2022 with the single “Attention,” which hit No. 1 on South Korea’s Circle Digital Chart. A year later, the band recently held their first fan meeting at the Tokyo Dome, where tickets sold out in minutes, making it the fastest Tokyo Dome debut for a foreign artist.
In their new role as honorary ambassadors for the next year, the K-pop band won’t have any diplomatic responsibilities, but they will be giving audiences around the world a glimpse into the diverse culture and charm that awaits them in Korea. The band members have already given potential visitors a candid look at cherished local experiences, such as eating kimbap dipped in tteokbokki sauce and the unspoken rule among Korean youth of taking one photo a day. For itinerary inspiration, you can also check out our guide to the most beautiful places in Korea.
More than 11 million tourists are expected to visit South Korea in 2023, a staggering increase of 245% compared to 2022. Of these, Japanese and Chinese tourists made up the majority.
The best things to do in Korea
Namsan Seoul Tower Wall, Seoul, South Korea | Image credit: The Green foto/Shutterstock
One of Asia’s most popular tourist destinations, South Korea is a perfect blend of culture, cuisine, wildlife and nightlife. Whether you’re exploring the volcanic island of Jeju, exploring the beaches and cultural villages of Busan or enjoying the futuristic skyscrapers, high-tech subways and pop culture of the capital city of Seoul, South Korea is a country that has no end of gifts. Pamper yourself at a Korean spa, sample local specialties like bibimbap, kimchi and bulgogi, or visit impressive Buddhist temples.
(Feature Image Credit: @newjeans_official/Instagram)
Related: What’s Hot Among Locals in Korea? A Guide to the Trendiest Things to Do While Traveling
Notes:
The information in this article is accurate as of the publication date.
