Foreign tourists in traditional Korean costume “hanbok” explore Seoul on June 13. Yonhap
Steps needed to make hallyu-driven tourism boom sustainable
Korea owes a lot to “hallyu,” or the Korean wave. The country’s meteoric rise as one of the popular tourist destinations has been possible thanks to the global sensation of K-pop and Korean dramas.
The role of global superstar groups like BTS and BLACKPINK cannot be overstated in triggering Korea’s booming tourism sector. Unbeknownst to themselves, globally popular K-pop bands have played roles as self-appointed goodwill ambassadors to promote tourism in Korea.
The resilient tourism sector is a boon for the economy. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s 2024 research, the…