K-pop Girl Band NewJeans Is South Korea’s Latest Tourism Ambassador

South Korea’s Culture Ministry and Korea Tourism Organisation have officially appointed the rising K-pop girl band NewJeans as the country’s newest tourism ambassadors. The band formed by ADOR includes five members: Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein.

This year, South Korea’s tourist numbers bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, with one-third of the tourist influx citing their prime motive as K-pop and K-drama, popularly called Hallyu or the Korean wave.

Previously appointed South Korea’s celebrity tourism ambassadors included Squid Game star and Emmy-winning actor Lee Jung-jae in 2023, global K-pop sensation BTS in 2022, and football star Son Heung-min in 2021.

Love Korean dramas? Here are some popular K-drama shooting locations that you can visit in South Korea.

All you need to know about NewJeans, South Korea’s newest tourism ambassador

With NewJeans in the spotlight as tourism ambassadors, the Culture Ministry of South Korea anticipates an uptick in tourist arrivals. The band debuted in 2022 with their single “Attention”, which became the number-one hit on South Korea’s Circle Digital Chart. Cut to one year later, the band recently held their first fan meet at the Tokyo Dome, where the tickets sold out in minutes. This was also marked the fastest Tokyo Dome debut for any foreign artist.

Now, having embraced the new role of honorary ambassador for a year, the K-pop band will assume no diplomatic responsibilities, but give global audiences a peek into the colourful culture and attractions that await in South Korea. The band members have already given potential visitors a candid peek into their cherished local experiences like eating gimbap dipped in tteokbokki sauce and the culture of taking one photo every day, an unspoken rule among Korean youth. We also recommend exploring our guide to the most beautiful places in South Korea for some itinerary inspiration.

In 2023, over 11 million tourists visited South Korea, a remarkable 245 percent rise compared to 2022. Out of these, Japanese and Chinese tourists constituted the majority.

Best things to do in South Korea

Among the most popular Asian tourist destinations, South Korea promises the perfect mix of culture, cuisine, wildlife, and nightlife! Be it touring the volcanic Jeju Island, exploring the beaches and culture village in Busan, or savouring the futuristic skyscrapers, high-tech subways, and pop culture at the country’s capital Seoul – South Korea is a gift that keeps on giving. We also recommend luxuriating at a Korean spa, sampling local fare like bibimbap, kimchi, and bulgogi, and paying respects at the striking Buddhist temples.

(Feature Image Credit: @newjeans_official/Instagram)

Related: What’s Hot Among Locals In South Korea? A Guide To The Trendiest Things To Do On Your Trip

Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.

Written By