The global success of Netflix’s animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters (nicknamed Kedeheon in Korea) is now translating into a real-world tourism boom. Following the film’s release, data shows that foreign visitors are flocking to experience the Korean food, fashion, and spa culture featured in the movie.
According to leading inbound tourism platform Creatrip, from June 20 to July 19, foreign tourist bookings and total spending surged compared to the previous month — a direct effect of the film’s cultural influence.
From Hanbok to Bathhouses: Experiencing “Kedeheon” in Real Life
In K-Pop Demon Hunters, the main characters, members of the fictional girl group Huntress, are seen wearing hanbok-style performance outfits and visiting a public bathhouse. These details have inspired thousands of fans to follow in their footsteps.
Creatrip reported a 30% overall increase in hanbok rental bookings, with Taiwanese visitors up a remarkable 433%. Traditional Korean spa experiences, including exfoliation sessions (sesin), also saw an 84% rise in transaction volume, proving that even Korea’s public bathhouse culture is gaining international fascination.
K-Food Frenzy: From Gimbap to Samgyetang
Food featured in the film — such as gimbap, ramyeon, sundae, and gukbap — has seen a sharp rise in demand among international tourists.
- Singaporean visitors’ Korean food spending rose 157%, and U.S. visitors’ by 61%.
- Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) transactions spiked 233%, while jjimdak orders jumped 162%.
- Even long-loved dishes like soy sauce marinated crab rose 18%, with barbecue restaurants seeing up to fourfold increases in sales.
K-Pop Tourism on the Rise
Beyond food and culture, K-Pop Demon Hunters’ focus on idol life and performance has further fueled the K-pop pilgrimage trend.
- Concert shuttle reservations grew 133%, and Taiwanese fan bookings soared 1,400%.
- K-pop dance class enrollments climbed dramatically — up 400% among U.S. tourists and 575% among Taiwanese visitors.
A Catalyst for Global Curiosity
Creatrip CEO Lim Hyemin commented, “The Korean elements highlighted in K-Pop Demon Hunters are directly leading to real-world tourism bookings. This proves that global visitors’ interest in Korea now extends beyond fandom — it’s evolving into a genuine desire to experience daily Korean life.”
As the boundaries between entertainment and tourism continue to blur, K-Pop Demon Hunters stands as a new kind of cultural ambassador — one that transforms screens into real-world experiences, bringing fans closer to the heart of K-culture itself.