#LOVEKOREA CULTURE & TRAVEL
features the best thingsto-do, must-see places in Korea Korean heartthrob Lee Dong Wook set to grace the event and interact with fans
If you’re a fan of everything Korea, you’re in for one awesome weekend. In the next two days, you’ll be able to cross off several items in your “things-to-do-in-korea” list without having to use your passport. That includes seeing and meeting Korean heartthrobs, dressing up in traditional Korean clothing, and even tasting Korean chocolate.
That’s all part of the #Lovekorea Culture & Travel Fiesta which happens at the Fashion Hall of SM Megamall on October 5 and 6. Spearheaded by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), the event celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Korea-philippines Diplomatic Relations.
“We’ve held many events in the past that highlights Korea-its culture, people, food, travel destinations. But this one is definitely the biggest one—and the most fun—we’ve organized yet,” said Kamille Lardizabal, Assistant Manager at the KTO Manila Office.
One of the main highlights of the Fiesta is the appearance of Korean actor and model Lee Dong Wook, who endeared himself to thousands of fans for his leading roles in TV dramas such as “Goblin,” “My Girl,” “Scent of a Woman,” “Hotel King,” and “Touch Your Heart.”
Lee would be gracing the opening ceremony, together with KTO Executive Director Kim Manjin, and KTO Manila Director Jo Joon Kil. He would also be interacting with fans, and answering questions in a talk show-style interview on stage.
Fans of K-pop, on the other hand, should look forward to a performance by rising all-male group, Target, which has gained popularity for songs like “Awake,” “Baby come back home,” and “Beautiful.”
Representing the Filipino side of the celebration is Honorary Ambassador for Korea Tourism, Sue Ramirez, who has been the face of KTO for the last three years. The actress is sure to entertain the crowd with her quick wit and singing skills.
Also attending the event is blockbuster star Alden Richards, who recently flew to Korea to receive the Asian Star Prize at the Seoul Drama Awards 2019. Richards would be participating in a Celebrity Live Talk show during the Fiesta.
Veteran actress Janice de Belen, a huge K-pop fan, would also share her love for everything Korean in a celebrity chat show.
“Aside from both Korean and Filipino celebrities, we’ll also highlight regional destinations of Korea through fun activities such as LED mask experience, fan making, chocolate tasting, and more,” said Lardizabal.
Attendees would also be able to take their photos at the Snow Globe Area, and try on the Hanbok, for dozens of Instagram-ready shots to share to friends. Also sure to excite attendees is the colorful Hanbok Fashion Show by Hanboknam, which would feature the many styles of the traditional Korean clothing.
Another highlight of the event is the Glocal Korea Zone, where the focus is on regional destinations that aren’t yet as popular as Seoul, but are definitely worthy of global awareness because of their beauty and appeal.
Sweetening the deal further is the chance to check out Korea’s local regional destinations with VR experience, as well as pique the palate with sumptuous K-foods with OME Cooking Lab.
Completing the packed twoday program are several live musical performances, celebrity talk shows, presentations, fun games and quizzes.
All of these activities are aimed at increasing the number of Filipino tourists going to Korea, which hit more than 327,000 so far (January to August 2019)—a continuously increasing number, thanks in part to the popularity of filming locations of hit Korean novelas such as “Mr. Sunshine,” which was set in Chungcheongnam-do.
On the flip side, there were more than 1.1 million Korean arrivals to the Philippines (January to July 2019), according to the tourism department. This is partly due to many destinations in the country becoming more accessible, and tourist packages becoming more affordable.
Speaking of affordable travel, the Fiesta will also have a #Lovekorea Seat Sale, offered by participating airlines such as Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, Cebu Pacific, and Air Asia, both online and onsite. Philippine Airlines will also release special fares online, while Korean Air will be joining the event as exhibitor.
Also worth looking forward to is the #Lovekorea $70 Tour Discounts offered by participating travel agencies: Aerial Travel and Tours, Ark Travel Express Inc., Horizon Travel & Tours, International Journeys, Rakso Air Travel & Tours, Skynet Travel Corporation, and Travel Specialist Ventures Group, Inc.
Joint tour packages co-promoted by KTO and its partner travel agencies would also be available for purchase at the event. These are: 4D3N Instagrammable Korea, Incheonting Seoulful Winter Korea 2019, 5D4N Fall in Love with Korea in Jeollabuk-do & Seoul, Oh!-some Oh!-tumn Korea 2019, and Fly Me to Korea.
There would also be a section dedicated to medical tourism, which aims to promote Korea’s advanced technology when it comes to the medical field.
Happening concurrently with the #Lovekorea Culture & Travel Fiesta is the #Lovekorea Travel Mart and Travel Night at the EDSA Shangri-la on October 4. It’s a business-tobusiness meeting, which aims to establish relationships among players in the travel industry.
During Travel Night, there were several talks and seminars about tourism attractions, and activities that can be done in Gwangju, Jeollabuk-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do and Jeju, as well as a rousing performance from El Gamma Penumbra.
Lardizabal said: “If you love Korea but haven’t had the opportunity to visit yet, here’s your chance to get to know more about its culture. And if you’ve been to Korea several times, you’re bound to discover something new in the Fiesta.”