K-pop juggernaut SEVENTEEN is giving fans the chance of a lifetime to step into their music video set for one unforgettable night. Timed to the launch of their highly anticipated album SPILL THE FEELS on October 14, 2024, the group is offering an exclusive Airbnb stay in a space modeled after the set of their new music video “LOVE, MONEY, FAME (feat. DJ Khaled).”

In partnership with Airbnb, SEVENTEEN is inviting lucky fans to experience “SEVENTEEN’s Street,” an immersive campaign running from October 16 to October 25, 2024. Guests from around the world will get to witness the magic behind the music, with a stay in the band’s uniquely designed Airbnb in downtown Seoul. The apartment mirrors the vintage-industrial vibe of the music video, providing an intimate glimpse into SEVENTEEN’s reflections on love—a theme central to the album’s title track.

The Airbnb space itself feels like a scene straight out of their video. A luxurious antique leather sofa, draped in dark blue velvet, takes center stage in the lounge, surrounded by lush greenery and retro vinyl records. The bedroom offers an eclectic warmth with vintage cassette players, filament lamps, and a double bed dressed in navy sheets with plush pillows, creating the perfect ambiance for fans to immerse themselves in SEVENTEEN's creative world.

“It’s a privilege to partner with Airbnb to bring guests behind the scenes of our musical world,” SEVENTEEN’s leader, S. Coups, shared. “This immersive stay offers us a new opportunity to connect with the world.”

Lyla Seo, Airbnb Country Manager for Korea, added, “We’re thrilled to partner with SEVENTEEN to create a truly unique experience in the heart of Seoul’s creative scene. It’s an incredible way to showcase Korea’s dynamic culture to the world.”

SEVENTEEN’s Airbnb can host a maximum of four guests. Seven one-night stays will be available between October 25 and October 31, 2024.  cost for a one-night stay will be set at just ₩17,000 KRW*. Guests can enjoy the following special perks as they immerse themselves in SEVENTEEN's musical world:

• A personalized welcome video and note from SEVENTEEN members
• A uniquely designed key card customized with each guest's name
• A welcome kit that includes specially-designed towels, mugs, and slippers exclusive to SEVENTEEN’s Airbnb
• Limited-edition bath amenities designed specifically for SEVENTEEN’s Airbnb
• Snacks prepared by SEVENTEEN members for guests to enjoy
  

How to Book:

             

Are you daydreaming about your next Asian adventure? The Visit Korea Roadshow is your ticket to scoring unbeatable travel deals for an unforgettable trip to the land of K-culture!

The Visit Korea Roadshow is happening from 19th to 21st July, 10am to 10pm at the Centre Court, the Curve. The Korean Tourism Organisation (KTO), in collaboration with six tour agencies – Apple Vacations, Corporate Information Travel, MuslimTravel Bug, Sedunia Travel, Suka Travel, and Tripfez – is offering an array of budget-friendly travel packages. This is your chance to turn your dream vacation into reality without breaking the bank! 

Sweetening the pot even further; with every purchase of a Korea Tour Package at the Visit Korea Roadshow, you will receive a complimentary KTO Expandable Bag or a KTO Prayer Mat (for Korea Muslim tour packages only). These thoughtful gifts will add a touch of convenience to your journey!

For valuable travel insights and ease any pre-travel concerns, fret not, as the roadshow features a Travel Talk Show and Travel to Korea Information sessions. We have experts here ready to provide all the information you need for a smooth and enjoyable trip. 

Bring along your friends or family to immerse yourselves in a line-up of captivating cultural activities ranging from Hanbok-trying sessions, K-Pop dance tutorials, and an indulgent mouth-watering array of Korean delicacies. There is something for everyone!

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to plan your dream vacation to Korea. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Airbnb is thrilled to announce the partnership with Korean-beauty mega-brand Innisfree with the launch of the Innisfree Farm Stay. For one night only, two lucky guests will have the opportunity to experience a restorative, back-to-nature overnight stay on some of the island’s major green tea farms, available on Airbnb for the first time.

Green tea native to Jeju plays a major role in Innisfree’s most iconic product range - Green Tea Line - renowned for its healing qualities. As part of this overnight stay, Innisfree is opening the doors to Dolsongyi and Seogwang tea farms, which are the source for its green tea products, and its retail space and cafe, Jejuhouse. 

On June 28, 9AM (MYT), residents of Korea will be able to book a magical overnight stay on the green tea farm, available on Airbnb on a first-come, first-served basis. The stay will take place from August 6 to 7 and can accommodate a maximum of two guests. The booking fee for the stay is approximately USD$10 (RM42) to ensure a smooth booking process on the platform, and the entire amount will be refunded to guests in cash during the stay. 

During their stay, guests will enjoy a curated menu of farm-forward experiences, including learning about the fine art of tea in a tea ceremony and getting back to nature by picking fresh tea leaves with the skincare company’s leading research and development expert. Local Airbnb Experiences Hosts will guide guests in a rejuvenating outdoor yoga class, a private photoshoot in the middle of the tea fields with a professional photographer and a creative botanical art class. 

Guests will be served an intimate series of meals especially curated by Jejuhouse’s chef, which incorporate some of the island’s local produce. Guests will stay overnight in an atmospheric camping van overlooking green tea fields; an indoor-outdoor feel will be reinforced by a lounge area set up right outside the camping car, a perfect nook in which to enjoy a peaceful moment gazing at the stars or listening to the sounds of nature after an eventful day. 

Airbnb’s campaign with Innisfree is the latest in a series of initiatives that brings the world’s most iconic, unexpected and unique spaces onto the platform for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience for guests. Previous campaigns have taken place at The Louvre museum in Paris and at a glamorous beach house in Malibu styled in the spirit of Barbie. 

Interested guests should note that house rules are in strict adherence with COVID-19 guidelines, and those who request to book should currently live in Korea to minimize risk. Guests can rest easy knowing that the home will be cleaned in accordance with the Airbnb enhanced cleaning protocol. Due to travel restrictions, this opportunity is limited to residents currently in Korea.

Seowon, or Neo-Confucian Academy of the Joseon dynasty, has been designated as a cultural heritage by UNESCO. Among the many seowon in Korea, nine were chosen and added to the list of Korea’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites as follows: Sosuseowon, Namgyeseowon, Oksanseowon, Dosanseowon, Piramseowon, Dodongseowon, Byeongsanseowon, Museongseowon, and Donamseowon.

At the 43rd session of World Heritage Committee (WHC) held on July 6, 2019, the nine seowon sites were evaluated to hold a significant universal value for their excellent preservation of Korea’s Neo-Confucianism tradition and illustration of how Neo-Confucianism developed and adapted in Korea. With the addition of seowon, Korea now has a total of 14 world heritages. Diverse tour programs and events are planned to attract both domestic and international travelers to seowon.

Do check out these newly added UNESCO World Heritage sites on your trip to Korea! For more information, check out UNESCO Website or VisitKorea Website. 

Starting February 16, 2019 the base fare for taxis in Seoul increased from 3,000 won to 3,800 won, while the late-night premium fare that runs from midnight to 04:00 increased from 3,600 won to 4,600 won. Large and deluxe taxis also increased their base fare from 3,600 won to 4,600 won.

International Taxis that can be found at Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport have also increased their flat fares. Selected flat fee only applies to International Taxis going from Incheon International Airport to different parts of Seoul. Flat fee is divided into 5 sections of Seoul and is based on the medium-sized taxis.

The fare from Incheon International Airport to each zones are as followed:

A zone (Gimpo International Airport, Gangseo area) 65,000 won. 

B zone (Eunpyeong, Seodaemun, Mapo, Yeongdeungpo, Yangcheon, and Guro area) 70,000 won. 

C zone (Jongno, Jung-gu, Yongsan, Dongjak, Gwanak, and Geumcheon area) 80,000 won. 

D zone (Gangbuk, Seoungbuk, Dongdaemun, Seoungdong, Gangnam, and Seocho area) 85,000 won. E zone (Dobong, Nowon, Jungnang, Gwangjin, Gangdong, and Songpa area) 90,000 won.

For more information on fares for each zones and taxi types, please visit the official International Taxi website.

For the taxis that have not changed to the new fares, the fare conversion table is available in the taxi. If the meter machine shows the base fare before the increase, the taxi driver will explain the correct fare based on the new fare conversion table.

credit: KTO Singapore

Nonsan Sunshine Land, the main filming location of the popular drama “Mr. Sunshine,” officially opened on November 1. The background for the drama series, Mr. Sunshine, is based on the turmoils of early 20th century Hanseong (former name of Seoul). The main characters are Yu-jin, or Eugene (starring Lee Byung Hun), who was born as a servant but fled to America as a boy and became a US Navy officer, and Ae-sin (starring Kim Tae Ri), the youngest daughter of a nobleman, who volunteered to serve in a military.

Eugene’s childhood was especially brutal. Born as the son of a servant living in Joseon Dynasty, no matter how hard he tried, he could not live in his own will. At a young age, his parents were murdered by the family they served and he was on the run from chuno (slave hunters during the Joseon Dynasty). He then met a foreign man with blue eyes and followed him to America. The hardship did not stop as he had to face racism and extreme poverty. However, he did not give up and eventually became an officer in the US Navy.

Nonsan Sunshine Land is the main filming location for this drama and consists of 1950s Open Film Set, Survival Game Zone, Military Experience Center, and Sunshine Studio, where many of the scenes from “Mr. Sunshine” were filmed. Streets and buildings of the country’s capital during the late Joseon period in the 1900s are skillfully reproduced, allowing visitors to feel like as if they have traveled back in time. Visitors can also enjoy a cup coffee at a cafe inside Glory Hotel, just like Eugene Choi from the drama.

Following the positive ties between the South and North Korea, Korea’s history and DMZ have also gained much attention internationally. DMZ, a constant reminder of separation and war, is now accepted as a symbol of peace. For those who wish to learn more about Korea peninsula’s painful history and share the people’s hope for peace, the Korea Tourism Organization has announced their top five picks for peace themed destinations.

Ganghwa Peace Observatory, offering views of North Korea’s mountains and vast grass field. Nearby the observatory is Gyodong-do, a village formed by people from Hwanghae-do who fled south from war. After the separation, the villagers had no choice but to remain and make the place their new home.

Imjingak Pyeonghwa-Nuri, spacious park with a grassy hill, located within Imjingak Resort in Paju. The establishment of Imjingak Pyeonghoa-Nuri has turned the area that was once scarred with a painful past into a beautiful and exotic park.

Numerous sacrifices were made at this building since from the 8.15 liberation movement the Korean War. The place now serves as a venue for peace ceremonies and even featured in a music video by Seo Taiji, popular Korean musician.

Dutayeon Falls, a body of water formed by creek waters from Geumgangsan Mountain. Located only 32-km away from Geumgangsan Mountain, Dutayeon Falls offer a habitat for Korea’s largest lenok population, which are a species of freshwater fish under the official monitoring and control of the Korean government.

Goseong Unification Observatory offers a clear view of the road leading to Geumgangsan Mountain. Near the observatory is Goseong DMZ Museum, where visitors can take a closer look at the surrounding nature and Korea’s history.

With just RM699, you get to meet Jackson up close in the 4 Days 3 Night Hong Kong trip and join the exclusive fan-meet as well. Specially prepared for Malaysian iGOT7, Hong Kong Tourism Board in conjunction with AIRLINK offer a special package for YOU. 

What's include in the special package?

No worries, if you would like to include flight ticket as AIRLINK offers a return economy flight ticket starting from RM870! (ps: departure date on 23 & 24 Oct)

For more information, check out Airlink Travel & Tour Facebook Page or Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival official website.

International travel information provider Lonely Planet has listed Busan as the top must-visit travel destination in Asia. Previously referred to as “Korea’s Second City,” Busan has stepped out of Seoul’s shadow in what CNN states is a giant leap forward. Accessible via a two and a half-hour KTX ride from Seoul, Busan has all one could ask for in a summer destination: fresh seafood and picturesque beaches.

Lonely Planet lauded Busan as “a destination between the sea and the mountains, where the landscape, culture, and food all blend perfectly,” and further mentioned the activity options available to travelers, such as hiking to Buddhist temples, relaxing in hot springs, and finding the freshest catch at the largest seafood market in Korea. Busan is also hosting a variety of events in celebration of being designated the East Asia Culture City for 2018.

This year marks the third round of Lonely Planet’s annual “Best in Asia” list, featuring the top ten travel destinations in Asia for that year.

source: KTO Singapore

Jinju,a city known as the fountainhead of national culture and spirits. Many cultural events held in Jinju every year and among these are the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival which is held in October. 

Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival originates from the lantern lighting custom used during the Jinjuseong Fortress Battle of the Imjinwaeran War (Japanese invasion, 1592) as a military strategy to prevent Japanese troops from wading the Namgang River by alerting the troops in the fortress of potential invasion from the river. The lanterns were originally lit by people inside the fortress as a way to communicate with their family members outside but were gradually seen as a form of honoring the men of merit who died during the war.

Featuring diverse floating lantern lighting displays on the stream, this festival was selected as a global festival by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Visitors can make their own wish lanterns and send it downstream or even submit an entry to the most innovative lantern contest. Traditional lanterns from all over the world will be on display as well, but the festival's main draw is the simple beauty of thousands of lanterns lighting up the night.