‘Gangnam Style’ - the tune that everyone is talking about has received in excess of 200 million hits on YouTube to date! K-pop music videos were watched 2.2bn times by 235 countries last year and Korea’s music industry has accelerated its ranking from 33rd in the world in 2005 to its current position of 11th in 2012! So it is safe to say that planet “K-POP” has definitely arrived and the success of PSY’s (Park Jae-Sang) ‘Gangnam Style’ song has catapulted K-Pop onto the world stage!
The phenomena that is K-Pop has been rumbling like a volcano for sometime gradually picking up momentum with a growing fan-base outside the normal confines of Asia that has prompted concerts in Paris, New York and at the famous Brixton Academy music venue in London.
Korean Pop Music, or K-pop as it is commonly known, is currently Asia’s hottest music industry. Fans all over the world have been captivated by K-pop stars' good looks, amazing dance moves, and catchy tunes. Current K-pop sensations include 2NE1, PSY, Rain, TVXQ, Big Bang, and the Wonder Girls.
The Korea Tourism Organization has been promoting the ‘Korean Wave’ (Hallyu) of popular culture for some years now. This has included film, art and music, all of which is sending trendsetting tremors far beyond the usual borders of Asia. With the unprecedented attention on the genre at this moment, the tourist board has been quick to translate this into bookable tours and incentives to cater for the leisure and business travel markets.
Off the back of the success of ‘Gangnam Style’, visitors can now go on a one-day tour to experience the life of one of Seoul’s major districts in true celebrity fashion. The tour is designed to make you feel like a VIP and kicks-off with a visit to one of many beauty salons, before heading out to brunch in ‘Sinsa & Garosu-gil Street’.
Apgujeong & Cheongdam shopping street awaits next where you will find top designer boutiques and palatial shopping malls. Roll-the-dice at 7Luck Casino before spending your winnings at COEX Mall a top spot for shopping, movies and music and connected to Korea’s biggest convention centre with over 450,000sqm of space. The tour is ideal for pre or post conference tours.
K-Pop’s potential is limitless and not just for the procession of young artists vying for their first big break, but also to build awareness of Korea and Korean culture. This sort of publicity is far beyond the reach of a governmental tourism organisation budget. So having created a framework of ways to enjoy popular culture in destination over previous years, the Korea Tourism Organisation has been given a lucky break with PSY’s ‘Gangnam Style’ and they intend to milk it all the way back to Korea with an army of K-Pop tourists trailing in their wake!
For more information go to:
www.visitkorea.or.kr