Travel Fair ITF / Watch Korea’s Top 3 Shows in One Go & Feel the Dad Energy from Hallyu Stars

▲ The Fantasy Show blends music and stage performance. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ruizhong, same below)

Reporter Chen Ruizhong / Taipei Reporting

With the growing popularity of Korean tourism, the Korean Pavilion at this year’s Taipei International Travel Fair has once again drawn huge crowds. The Korea Tourism Organization not only invited Running Man’s Gary to take the stage on November 7, but also arranged performances by three entertainment groups—Graffiti Show, Fantasy Show, and Fire Man—offering visitors an authentic taste of Korean variety entertainment.

▲ A performance from “Fire Man.”

Whether on the main stage of the fair or the pavilion stage, Korean performance groups always drew screams and applause. All the acts presented emphasized being “non-verbal,” using dance, facial expressions, or movements to entertain—vivid and fun enough that even those who don’t understand Korean were laughing out loud. Many young female fans couldn’t help but scream when the “Korean dads” on stage gave them direct attention.

▲ The “Original Graffiti Show.”

This year, the Korean Pavilion focused on winter travel packages, including the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival where visitors can try ice fishing just like Professor Do from “My Love from the Star,” as well as ski trips—both highly popular themes on-site. Additionally, travel agencies introduced the “Travel with Air Stewardesses” program, where retired flight attendants lead tours to Korean trend hubs like Dongdaemun and Myeongdong, and even offer the chance to spend a day as a flight attendant at the Bucheon University Aviation Training Center, adding more variety to the Korean travel experience.

▲ The “Original Graffiti Show” is full of painting and dance artistry.

Until the end of November, the Korea Tourism Organization, together with 13 airlines, 26 travel agencies, and 22 sponsoring organizations, has launched the “Happy Travels to Korea – Win Lucky Prizes” campaign, giving away KRW 1 million in spending money every week. Since late August, they have already awarded KRW 31.59 million, 34 round-trip flights to Korea, 4 premium accommodation vouchers, and 206 Facebook sharing gifts, with a total of 336 winners. Visitors purchasing Korean travel packages at the fair all have a chance to be among the lucky ones.

▲ The dads from the “Fantasy Show” keep flirting—and the little fans are blushing.

▲ With surging interest in Korea, the travel fair attracted large crowds eager to interact.

Chung Ik-su, Director of the Korea Tourism Organization Taipei Office, stated that as the 2018 Winter Olympics will be held in Korea, the Korean government has designated 2018 as the Visit Korea Year. Korea will showcase a friendly image through the “K-Smile Campaign,” hoping to attract even more visitors.