By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
It is very common for Koreans to honeymoon in Malaysia but not for Malaysians to honeymoon in Korea.
Does Korea have the potential to become an attractive honeymoon destination for Malaysian newlyweds? Singer Mawi and his wife, actress Ekin, say, ``Absolutely.''
Mawi, 28, one of the most popular singers in Malaysia, has won numerous entertainment awards, including ``Best Malaysian Artist'' from MTV. Ekin, 30, is a famous actress.
The two got married on Dec. 20 and came to Korea Jan. 17 for their honeymoon after Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) President Oh Jee-chul officially invited them in November, with Mawi being the KTO's honorary ambassador for the promotion of Korean tourism.
The Southeast Asian celebrity couple enjoyed a Korean winter that included skiing at Yongpyeong Resort in Gangwon Province. ``I'm not good at skiing. My skiing was rather rolling over the snow,'' Mawi said, laughing, in press briefing at KTO headquarters in central Seoul, Wednesday.
It was the second time Mawi had seen snow in his life ― the first time was in Korea last January when he was appointed as the ambassador. It was Mawi's third visit here and Ekin's first.
``I wanted to visit Korea since I enjoyed watching Korean soap operas like `Winter Sonata.' I also tried `bibimbap' (rice mixed with assorted vegetables) and kimchi here, and had all new experience,'' Ekin said.
The couple wore ``hanbok,'' or traditional Korean costumes, made as a gift by designer Lee Young-hee. ``This costume is very comfortable,'' said Ekin, who also tried on a hijab Lee made for her with hanbok texture and patterns.
Mawi said Malaysians usually go on honeymoon to Mecca and other Middle Eastern countries like Dubai and Egypt, as 60 percent of them are Muslim.
``Korea can be a good honeymoon destination for Malaysian couples as they can experience many new things and visit film locations of Korean dramas, like Nami Island,'' he said. Nami Island in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, is famous as the location of ``Winter Sonata'' and the couple had their wedding photos taken there.
They said one thing that Korea needs to do in order to bring more Malaysians is to have more Halal restaurants, as Muslims may only eat meat butchered in a specific way. They said there are some Halal or vegetarian restaurants in Seoul but few in the provinces.
Mawi and Ekin left Korea Thursday.