Park Jae-hyuk is a seasoned journalist who has provided comprehensive coverage of South Korea's corporate dynamics, economic policies, industry challenges and the global positioning of Korean companies. Based on the articles he has written since joining The Korea Times in 2016, his investigative approach has helped readers understand corporate governance, economic trends and business strategies shaping South Korea’s economy.
Shinhwa World gets family-friendlier
A bird's-eye view of Shinhwa Water Park / Courtesy of Landing Jeju Development
By Park Jae-hyuk
Landing Jeju Development Assistant Vice President Teck Wei Hoe
Integrated resort on Jeju wins hearts of vacationers
By Park Jae-hyuk
SEOGWIPO, Jeju Province ― It was easy to find parents holding their young children's hands or pushing strollers at Jeju Shinhwa World on this southern island during the peak holiday season last weekend.
Unlike most integrated resorts that prioritize foreigner-only casinos, this giant resort complex on 2.5 million square meters of land boasts various attractions suitable for people of all ages.
The resort's operator, Landing Jeju Development, defined Shinhwa World as a “family resort.”
“We are trying to bring an overall kind of family experience down here at Jeju Shinhwa World,” Landing Jeju Development Assistant Vice President Teck Wei Hoe from Singapore told reporters Aug. 10 at the resort. “If you walk around, you can see our attractions, and for now, we have three attractions with the opening of the water park.”
Shinhwa Water Park, which opened Aug. 3, was crowded last weekend with vacationers preferring Jeju's largest water park to beaches as a place to beat the scorching heat.
They stood in long lines for the Super Creeper Coil and the Giant Double Leaf ― Asia's only two water slides made by ProSlide Technology, the Canadian manufacturer of water slides at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando.
The water park also has smaller pools for customers with children.
According to Landing, visitors will be able to enjoy the island scenery from the water park after the opening of an infinity pool this fall.
Next to the water park is Shinhwa Theme Park decorated with Larva and other animated characters created by TUBAn, a Korean 3D animation studio.
Due to the island's regulation on building height, the theme park lacks giant attractions to rival those at amusement parks near Seoul, but Shinhwa Theme Park seemed spacious enough for children to have fun on various rides including a roller coaster and bumper cars.
Landing expects the water park, theme park and the Transformers Autobots Alliance interactive exhibition will attract families with children to visit Shinhwa World throughout the year.
Children color pictures of My Little Pony characters on bags at Jeju Shinhwa World, Aug. 10. / Korea Times photo by Park Jae-hyuk
In addition to the three attractions, a temporary art exhibition named My Little Pony Magic Party, which will go on to the end of October, will likely win the hearts of children as well.
The exhibition will display the famous pony-shaped toys which were uniquely redesigned by 17 Korean artists.
During the exhibition, Shinhwa World will offer a space for children to decorate bags, umbrellas and badges illustrated with My Little Pony characters.
Inside of Untitled, 2017, at Jeju Shinhwa World / Courtesy of Landing Jeju Development
Hot spots for K-pop fans
The family-friendly resort is also vying to be a destination popular with K-pop fans from around the world.
Untitled, 2017, a cafe that BIGBANG leader G-Dragon opened at Shinhwa World, has already been on the bucket lists of many fans of the boy band since its opening in February.
The coffee shop serves various desserts, as well as specialty coffee and hot chocolate, which are respectively made with coffee and cacao beans selected by the rapper. The former brand ambassador of Shinhwa World named his cafe and participated in designing its exterior and interior.
He also decorated AC.III.T bowling club with his graffiti. The bowling club neighboring G-Dragon's cafe features a stylish lounge pub and has emerged as a place to enjoy nightlife on Jeju, according to Landing.
Seungri, another BIGBANG member, has his own store at Shinhwa World as well.
The singer, who has already satisfied tastes of people in Seoul with his Japanese-style ramen, opened Jeju's first Aori Ramen store near his colleague's cafe.
The cafe, bowling club and ramen restaurant are parts of YG Republique, a space YG Entertainment opened here to run various restaurants for fans of BIGBANG and other K-pop idols belonging to the entertainment company.
Based on the K-pop fever, Landing seeks to attract tourists from other countries beyond China.
Still, most guests of Shinhwa World are those who speak Chinese.
Landing said foreigners account for 50 percent of guests, and half of the foreign guests come from China. Also, most of the other foreigners are of Chinese origin.
The resort's operator has begun moving to target countries that have direct flights to Jeju, such as Malaysia and Thailand.
“Our future growth engine will also be in the Southeast Asian market,” Hoe said, adding Southeast Asians regard Jeju as one of the best destinations to visit in winter. “Apart from that, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan are key markets for us.”
When Lionsgate Movie World opens in 2020, the nationalities of visitors will likely be diversified.
The U.S. distributor of famous films, such as the “Hunger Games,” the “Twilight” Saga, “Now You See Me” and “Saw,” will come up with 30 attractions and performances.
“Our next stage will be the Lionsgate's property project. That will be another major investment for us,” Hoe said.
MICE destination
Although Landing will continue to focus on customers with their families, it hopes Shinhwa World to be an attractive destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).
“The next area we are also looking for is the MICE industry.” Hoe said. “I previously worked in Indonesia, and found out Jeju is similar to Bali, which is a very attractive MICE destination.”
Landing Convention Center in the resort has a 2,000-square-meter pillar-free grand ballroom.
The space hosted the Supermodel Contest last December.
“Our theme park and water park that our competitors do not offer can be very unique places for events,” the assistant vice president said. “After having a meeting in the daytime, you can have dinner at outdoor spaces in the theme park at night.”
Shinhwa World, which currently consists of Marriott and Landing hotels and Somerset condominiums, has more than 2,000 rooms. Landing plans to open a Shinhwa Hotel this fall and a Four Seasons Hotel in 2020 to allow its guests to choose rooms that are most suitable for their groups and budgets.