K-POP DEMON HUNTERS Boosts South Korea Tourism

The global success of Netflix’s animation K-POP DEMON HUNTERS is directly boosting South Korea’s tourism market.

According to global travel platform Klook, bookings for Korea-related travel products surged after the film’s release, with both traffic and reservations rising even during the off-season months of June and July. In particular, K-pop-related bookings increased by 80% compared to pre-release levels, with significant growth from neighboring countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Among them, the “K-pop Idol Styling Experience” rose 200%, while dance classes increased 40%, reflecting the film’s popularity.

Interest in the traditional Korean bath culture of Seshin (exfoliation), featured in the movie, has also grown. Reservations for Seshin experiences increased by 11% overall, while sauna passes in Seoul’s Seodaemun and Jongno districts rose by 57% and 15%, respectively. In response, Klook announced plans to launch more diverse Seshin experience products, such as “one-person Seshin shops.”

The popularity of K-POP DEMON HUNTERS  is also evident on the ground. An operator of a K-pop dance class said, “We’ve recently received more inquiries from people wanting to learn songs from the film, so we structured our September classes mainly around K-POP DEMON HUNTERS.” They added, “We’re also seeing a noticeable increase in younger customers, especially under teens.

---