K-wave AI News

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea.

Here's our top story.

The number of foreign tourists visiting Seoul exceeded 10 million last year, marking a strong recovery to pre-pandemic levels.

According to the Seoul government, the city welcomed over 12 million international visitors from January to November last year, reaching 95% of the record-high figure from 2019.

This new milestone reflects Seoul's growing appeal as a global destination, further reinforced by its recognition as the "Best MICE," or Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions city for the 10th consecutive year in the 2024 Global Traveler Reader Tested Survey Awards.

The capital city plans to further develop distinctive tourism experiences that can be enjoyed year-round.

The number of visitors exploring traditional Korean temples has surged recently.

According to the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, 63 temples across Korea housing state-designated cultural heritage have welcomed over 33 million visitors since May 2023, more than double the previous figures.

This sharp increase is largely attributed to the government's introduction of admission fee subsidies for sites with designated cultural heritage in 2023.

Venerable Jinwoo, the chief executive of the Jogye Order, reaffirmed the Buddhist community's commitment to providing a place of solace for those seeking peace of mind.

The "Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival," the signature winter event of Korea's eastern Taebaek City, will kick off next Friday.

Celebrating its 32nd year, the festival will offer a ten-day winter extravaganza across the Taebaeksan National Park, Hwangji Lake, and the Hwangjicheon Restoration Stream.

Highlights include the "Starlight Festa," an International Snow Sculpture Competition, and the Catch Teenieping Sing-along Show.

The Taebaek Cultural Foundation hopes visitors will get a chance to immerse themselves in Korea's unique winter ambiance and create lasting memories.

That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.