From countryside atmosphere to night market street food
Limited-edition commemorative badges offered on each Bao family member's birthday in July
Twin pandas Rui Bao and Hui Bao to mark their last birthdays in Korea
Everland, operated by Samsung C&T's resort division, announced Thursday it will run a special "Chonkangs Bam Masil" — a rural summer getaway and night stroll — event from July through August to mark the summer vacation season. The park will also give out limited-edition commemorative badges to visitors who come on the birthdays of twin pandas Rui Bao and Hui Bao, who will be celebrating their last birthdays in Korea.
The event is the summer theme of Everland's monthly curation project "Whatever Series," designed to offer a countryside resort atmosphere during the day and a world night-market experience after dark.
In July, visitors who arrive dressed in retro-style "chonkangs look" outfits — floral prints or polka-dot patterns — can enter at a discounted price of 25,000 won ($16), more than 50 percent off. They will also receive priority access to the "Rui & Hui's Chonkangs" experience zone, which opens Friday.
Inside the festival content zone, a countryside-themed area follows the story of twin pandas Rui Bao and Hui Bao on a rural getaway, offering a range of activities along the way. The zone's entrance is styled as a cozy village community hall, and visitors can play board games on traditional wooden platforms.
Completing various missions — including a horror experience called "Napnyang Train" and a ball-cannon shooting game called "Kuljam Farm" — earns visitors a limited-quantity "Bao Village Honorary Resident Card."
A shop styled after a rural Korean convenience store, called Bao Sanghoe, will carry more than 30 types of limited-edition merchandise under the concept of the twin pandas traveling across Korea before their move to China.
After dark, Holland Village transforms into a global night market. Food options range from domestic favorites — including deep-fried chili peppers and spicy chicken omelets from Mangwon Market's Uirak stall — to international street food such as American-style pizza, barbecue platters and yakisoba. DJ performances and character photo sessions will also take place.
Near the night market, the "Moonlight Parade" and a multimedia fireworks show called "Guardians of Light" will add to the summer evening entertainment.
July is a month packed with Bao family birthdays. Visitors who come on the birthdays of twin pandas Rui Bao and Hui Bao (July 7), mom Ai Bao (July 13), Fu Bao (July 20) and dad Le Bao (July 28) will receive limited-edition commemorative badges. Under an international agreement, Rui Bao and Hui Bao are set to return to China this winter, making these their final birthdays in Korea.
Everland has been stepping up its seasonal festivals by combining experiential content with character intellectual property, targeting both family visitors and younger audiences at the same time.
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