Southeast Asian Millionaires Reportedly Plan To Build Hallyu Town in Bangkok Where Thais Can Enjoy Korean Shops, Restaurants and Cultural Exchange
A source reveals Wednesday that a number of Southeast Asian millionaires are planning to build a Korean-themed commercial complex called Hallyu Town in Bangkok where people can enjoy Korean culture, music and food. The complex will house various restaurants and stores to cater to the country's K-pop fanatics.
Officials who are familiar with the matter say that "they are trying to set up a Hallyu Town in Bangkok, where customers will be able to enjoy and consume Korean culture ranging from music, food and fashion in one place," Yonhap News reports on Sept. 16.
Meanwhile, Korea Times reported in 2011 that more and more Thais are visiting Korea because of hallyu [Korean wave], making them the "sixth largest tourist group visiting Korea."
“There are many reasons why more Thais are choosing to tour Korea. Above all, hallyu is the main reason,” said Park Suk Ju, Korea Tourism Organization's Asia Oceanic division director. "K-pop groups are enormously popular among Thai youths."
"Additionally, 'Hello Strangers' and other recent Thai movies filmed on Nami Island along with the traditional popular tourist spots here have been a big hit among Thai moviegoers, further encouraging more people to come here."
He went on, "Thai tourists buy cosmetics, clothes, and other fashion and beauty-related products. Many want to copy their Korean idols."
On the other hand, the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) was built in Bangkok in July 4, 2013 to bring Korean culture closer to Thai people.
The KCC aims to provide information about the Korean culture, as well as present cultural programs "to satisfy the Thais' desire to learn about Korean culture," Korea.net reported on July 8, 2013.
"This cultural center will introduce comprehensive aspects of Korean culture from its history and tourist resources to its language, food, music, martial art taekwondo, and traditional dance and run hands-on programs for the people here," said Cho Hyeon Jae. "This will build an important bridge of cultural exchanges and cooperation among cultural artists of the two nations."