Experience the Real Korea with NewJeans: Your Ultimate Travel Guides

(MHNSports Reporter Sun Shin) NewJeans follows BTS and Lee Jung-jae in promoting Korean tourism.

On the morning of the 11th, the '2024 Korea Tourism Honorary Ambassador Appointment Ceremony' was held at the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

Minister Yoo In-chon of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) appointed NewJeans (Minji, Hani, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein) as the 2024 Korea Tourism Honorary Ambassadors. Hyein, who is currently rehabilitating from a recent foot injury, was unable to attend the event.

During the ceremony, appointment plaques were presented, NewJeans' Korean tourism advertisement was unveiled, and an ambassador stage interview was conducted.

The MCST and Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) have previously appointed leading Hallyu stars like Lee Jung-jae (2023) and BTS (2022) as 'Korea Tourism Honorary Ambassadors' and produced advertisements to promote Korean tourism worldwide. Last year's Korean tourism advertisement 'Challenge Korea with Lee Jung-jae (2023)' recorded 540 million cumulative views. In February of this year, based on this popularity, the 'Imagine Your Korea' YouTube channel became the first national tourism organization (NTO) channel to surpass 1 million subscribers globally.

The 2024 Korean tourism advertisement featuring NewJeans aims to target the global 2030 generation. Among foreign tourists visiting Korea in 2023, 35.6% were under 30, and 84% were individual travelers. Additionally, the top reason for interest in traveling to Korea was 'encountering Hallyu content (32.1%)'. Given this, NewJeans will focus on youth, who make up one-third of the visitors, for the Korean tourism campaign. Reflecting the recent trend of tourists preferring experiential activities, the advertisement is themed 'Koreans' Korea: The Real Korean Trip You Can't Find Through Search'.

The advertisement highlights the global popularity of the Korean language and culture, featuring NewJeans delivering lines in Korean and showcasing recommended courses like 'choncangseu' (rural vacations), 'cafe tours', and 'mother-of-pearl craft' with Korean designs filling the screen.

Minji suggests, 'Try dipping kimbap in tteokbokki sauce,' Danielle recommends, 'Half-seasoned, half-fried chicken is the way to go,' Hani mentions, 'In Korea, a daily photo is a trend,' Haerin encourages, 'If you're a K-culture fan, visit HYBE Insight,' and Hyein suggests, 'In Korea, you can even make custom cosmetics,' highlighting activities to enjoy in Korea.

The Korean tourism advertisement featuring NewJeans will premiere online on the 'Imagine Your Korea' YouTube channel on the 11th. It will also be displayed on billboards in 12 cities worldwide, including New York's Times Square, Tokyo, Shanghai, Bangkok, Dubai, and Mexico City. During the Paris Olympics, short-form content will be shown on digital screens throughout Paris.

Meanwhile, NewJeans made a domestic comeback last May with their double single 'How Sweet' and released their debut Japanese single 'Supernatural' in June.

Photo = MHN Sports Reporter Lee Ji-sook