A studio for fans to make their own K-pop music video, different displays inspired by South Korea’s top local destinations, and an exhibit of its best K-dramas. Those are some of the things Hallyu fans can experience at HiKr Ground, Korea Tourism Organization’s newest tourism center.
Launched in July 2022, HiKr Ground, its name is a combination of “Hi,” “Korea,” and the concept of “playground,” can be defined as a utopia of the best of South Korea’s entertainment, art, and tourism scene. Through a trip led by Korea Tourism Organization Manila, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle got to explore the immersive tourism center and got to try many of the features that make it the ultimate destination for K-pop and K-drama fans.
HiKr Wall (Photo from @hikrground_official) and the purple staircase on the first floor
Let’s start on the first floor of HiKR Ground. ARMYs will definitely feel at home with its purple staircase, which is perfect for taking group photos. The space also has a panoramic media wall called HiKr Wall, presenting digital art and video clips of the country’s top destinations to lure people in.
K-pop Ground features the coin laundry room seen in the “Permission to Dance” music video by BTS and the spaceship set from Aespa's “Next Level” music video
On the second floor, visitors have the chance to unleash their inner K-pop superstar. Exhibited there are various multi-media K-pop experience zones, such as the coin laundry room seen in the “Permission to Dance” music video by BTS and the spaceship set from Aespa's “Next Level” music video. They can also create their own music video with its XR studio, offering over 100 different virtual backgrounds.
Dramatic Trip exhibit and the HiKr Artrium
HiKr Artrium on the third floor is dedicated to special exhibits. K-Art is seen as the next step of the Korean Wave, that’s why HiKr Ground created a space to spotlight the works of some of the country’s rising artists. Currently on display at the HiKr Artrium are the masterpieces of artists Kim Hong Shik, Do Ho Suh, and Lee Lee Nam.
There is also the Dramatic Trip exhibit highlighting the global impact of K-drama and K-cinema. A partnership between Korea Tourism Organization and Netflix, the exhibit is also on a mission to give tourists an idea about visitors' next travel destination through filming locations and iconic scenes from their favorite Hallyu content.
HiKr Cave and Fest Cube
Another multi-experiential zone is located on the third floor of HiKr Groud, only this time, it centers on the country’s domestic destinations and wellness attractions. Dubbed HiKr Cave, the relaxing zone has sensory elements like videos, mock-ups, scents, and sounds highlighting the four major sectors of South Korea’s Wellness Tourism—beauty and spa, nature and forest healing, traditional medicine, and meditation. Scenes from five tourism hub cities of the country (Wonju, Suncheon, Sancheong, Taean-gun, and Seogwipo) are recreated, allowing visitors to feel the cool wind of the forest, listen to the calming sound of rainfall, and smell the scent of blooming flowers. Also set on the fourth floor is the Fest Cube, a digital and analog space where people can learn more about various local festivals through interactive color-changing art.
HiKr Lounge and the view Cheonggyecheon stream
The fifth floor is where visitors can take a rest and breathe after exploring the many floors of the HiKr Ground. Unlike the previous levels, the top floor features the natural beauty of the Cheonggyecheon stream. The best place to savor that view is at HiKr Lounge. Visitors can also check out the Tourist Information Center to know more about traveling around Korea and get free books and other reading materials—although not many are in English, they serve as great souvenirs!
HiKr Ground is located at 40 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul. Admission is free. To know more about it, visit hikr.visitkorea.or.kr or @hikrground_official on Instagram.
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