# From K-dramas to BTS: How pop culture is reshaping tourism in South Korea

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/from-k-dramas-to-bts-how-pop-culture-is-reshaping-tourism-in-south-korea/
- Published: 2026-11-08T01:00:32+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-08T01:20:01+00:00
- Original publisher: CNA (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/south-korea-k-drama-bts-pop-culture-tourism-6530111
- Topics: Asia, Celebrity, Culture, Entertainment, Travel, World

## Key points

- K-dramas and K-pop are drawing visitors to South Korea.
- Busan’s foreign visitor numbers rose 46 per cent year on year.
- Officials want entertainment fans to become repeat visitors.

## Summary

Korean dramas and K-pop are motivating international visitors to explore South Korea’s landmarks, customs and cities, creating new tourism opportunities. The trend matters to places such as Busan, where officials hope entertainment-driven visits will encourage repeat tourism and support communities facing population decline.

Visitors at Gyeongbokgung Palace rent hanbok to recreate looks from period dramas, while a record 55,515 foreign visitors joined temple stays last year; about one in 10 identified as Buddhist. Busan received more than 3.4 million foreign visitors from January to August, up 46 per cent year on year, and a hotel reported foreign guests made up roughly 70 per cent during BTS’s June concert dates, when occupancy reached about 95 per cent. Some local businesses question whether concert-goers stay long enough or spend enough to benefit the city.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.