Must Visit Theme Parks in South Korea

Written by: Rupali Teresa Kujur, Ranchi, Jharkhand

Edited By: Khushi Vaid, Delhi

Visit these five incredible theme parks for an adventure unlike any other and get ready for an exhilarating rollercoaster ride.

South Korea is a popular tourist destination for international tourists due to the widespread popularity and appeal of K-Pop and K-Dramas. However, the country offers a lot more beyond its entertainment culture and glamour quotient. From delectable Korean cuisines to bustling underground shopping malls, visitors can indulge in a variety of experiences. South Korea’s theme parks are also a must-visit, offering a diverse range of activities suitable for all ages. In addition to music and entertainment, the country stands out for its rich history, stunning natural landscapes, traditional tea ceremonies, colorful festivals, and advanced technology. These aspects contribute to making South Korea a unique and memorable travel destination. So, what are you waiting for? Jump right here and select your favorite theme park to tick off your impending bucket list.

Lotte World

As its name suggests, the largest conglomerate in South Korea, the Lotte group, owns and operates Lotte World. This entertainment complex consists of two main sections: the world’s largest indoor theme park, Lotte World Adventure, and an outdoor lakeside amusement park called Magic Island. Other amenities offered by this theme park are a huge ice-skating rink, a folk museum, a monorail, shopping malls, etc. If you are not a person who is into thrilling rides, there are plenty of shopping malls and shops offering cuisines from all around the world to please your taste buds. It is a famous filming site for many K-dramas and K-Pop music videos, as well as variety shows, such as BTS Run Ep. 51, Running Man Ep. 9, and dramas like True Beauty (2020-21), Love Alarm (2019), Perfume (2019), Absolute Boyfriend (2019), A-Teen 2 (2019), The Last Empress (2018-19), Clean With Passion For Now (2018-19), etc.

Address: 240 Olympic-ro, Songpa District, Seoul, South Korea

Everland

Everland is one of the two parks which is popular among locals and tourists alike. The other is Lotte World. International tourists usually choose between these two theme parks in their itinerary for a full-day visit. Run by Samsung C&T Corporation, a subsidiary of the Samsung Group, this park is divided into five visually striking theme areas: Magic Land, Zootopia, Global Fair, American Adventure, and European Adventure. Among these action-packed rides, there’s one that stands out the most, and that is T-Express. It is the world’s 6th longest and Korea’s first wooden roller coaster. Apart from this, people can even enjoy their time at the Lost Valley & Safari World sections of the zoo. It is the only place in Korea where one can have a glimpse of pandas. One can never get bored of Everland since it conducts festivals around the year with different themes, including Tulip Festival, Summer Splash, Halloween Festival, Rose Festival, and more. Additionally, they organize exciting performances and shows every day. Iconic K-Dramas shot here are Sisyphus: The Myth (2021), What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018), A Korean Odyssey (2017-18), Bride of the Water God (2017), Thumping Spike (2016), The Producers (2015), Kill Me, Heal Me (2015), The King 2 Hearts (2012), etc.

Address: 199 Everland-ro, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Wolmi Theme Park

Previously known as My Land, this park is located on Wolmido Island. If you want to look at the beautiful ocean while enjoying a pleasant ride on a 115-meter-high Ferris Wheel, this theme park would be perfect for you. Though cheaper and smaller than the other two parks mentioned above, this park never fails to keep its visitors entertained. While enjoying rides such as the two-story Viking, 70-meter-high Hyper Shoot Drop, and Tagada Disco, the DJ’s banter brings smiles to people’s faces and keeps them entertained. Since the size of this park is on the smaller end, people can enjoy the rest of their day exploring Wolmido Island. Some of the most superhit K-dramas shot here are: It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020), Descendants of the Sun (2016), Be Melodramatic (2019), and Lawless Lawyer (2018). Moreover, variety shows like We Got Married, 2 Days and 1 Night, and Running Man have also featured this theme park.

Address: 81 Wolmimunhwa-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea

Seoul Land

Seoul Land was the first amusement theme park in South Korea, that was opened just before 1988 Summer Olympics, located in Seoul Grand Park complex. The reasons why people here prefer this park include proximity to downtown Seoul, short queues, and rides based on themes of cartoon characters, making it ideal for the families visiting with kids. The five themed areas of the park include the World Plaza, Adventure Land, Fantasy Land, Tomorrow Land, and Samchulli Hill. It is pretty famous for its annual flower festivals with tulips, cherry blossoms, chrysanthemums, and unique laser shows held later during evening. Notable K-Dramas shot here are: When My Love Blooms (2020), The Secret Life Of My Secretary (2019), Strong Woman Do Bong-soon (2017), She Was Pretty (2015), etc.

Address: 181 Gwangmyeong-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Maze Land

Want to experience something unique and exhilirating instead of just riding those usual rides at theme parks? Maze Land in Jeju Island offers a unique experience, being the world’s longest stone maze and measuring roughly around 5.3 km in total length. Reflecting the 3 principal items of Jeju Island, viz., things found abundantly here—rock, wind, and women—this maze was made mainly by using stone and wood found here. This theme park can be also visited for healing purposes as well. Since it is situated in the Bijarim forest, one can enjoy and breathe fresh air far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Also, the maze provides health benefits as the stones emit high levels of far-infrared radiation, and the woods produce a large volume of phytoncides. The close-up shots of the chase scene with Lee Min-ho and Jun Ji-hyun, who played Heo Joon-jae and Shim Cheong, respectively, in The Legend of the Blue Sea, were shot here, the other one being shot in Spain.

Address: 2134-47, Bijarim-ro , Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea

South Korea’s theme parks offer an unforgettable fusion of entertainment, culture, and natural beauty. From the pulsating energy of Lotte World and Everland to the charming allure of Wolmi Theme Park and Seoul Land, each of these theme parks present a unique experience waiting to be explored. For those seeking a distinctive adventure, Maze Land in Jeju Island is a fantastic choice, providing a blend of enchanting mazes and rejuvenating natural surroundings. A trip to these theme parks promises an exciting journey through the rich tapestry of Korean entertainment and leisure, with a backdrop enhanced by the captivating scenes from various K-Dramas and the vibrant spirit of South Korea.

Tell us in the comment section below which of these parks you want to visit on your next trip to South Korea.