JONATHAN HOPFNER
Wrote “Game Changer,”
“Visiting Pyeongchang for the first time in close to a decade, I came away convinced the county deserves its time in the Olympic spotlight,” says Hopfner, who ventured to the South Korean county from his home base of Hong Kong ahead of the Winter Games this February. “The locals are natural hosts, and from mammoth ski jumps to mountain resorts, great strides have been made in developing local recreational infrastructure. That should ensure the Games are a success and cement Pyeongchang’s status as one of the region’s premier winter sports destinations. Having said that, I hope the Olympics also opens some eyes to what Pyeongchang has to offer beyond the ski runs. Its centuries-old temples, tranquil forests, and rich culinary traditions are every bit as deserving of a visitor’s time and exploration, even at the height of summer. Few places manage to combine sport, culture, and cuisine in such a compact and accessible package.”