• 최종편집 2026-06-12(금)

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글로벌 웰니스 서밋 20주년 행사 태국 푸켓서 개최...“왜 지금 아시아인가?”… 글로벌 웰니스산업 미래 조망 Global Wellness Summit Celebrates 20th Anniversary in Thailand, Exploring Why Asia Is Shaping the Future of Wellness Donghae Aqua Unveils “VINE7” Smart Vinegar Fermentation System at SEOUL FOOD 2026 미래생명자원, 웰니스 음료 ‘프레쉬나우’ 3종 출시 치유관광산업법 시행 원년, ‘케이-웰니스 관광’ 본격 육성 숲에서 식탁까지, 이웃산촌여행 미식편 성료 뱅앤올룹슨, 이스턴에디션과 협업한 룸 스프레이 ‘묵향의 소리’ 출시 산으로 향하는 새로운 루트… 블랙야크 ‘6월 산행 아카데미’ 참가자 모집 아누아, 첫 글로벌 앰배서더로 톱모델 ‘켄달 제너’ 발탁 ELLE, 2028년 발리 첫 비치 리조트 오픈
  • Global Wellness Summit Celebrates 20th Anniversary in Thailand, Exploring Why Asia Is Shaping the Future of Wellness
    The Global Wellness Summit™ (GWS), the foremost gathering of leaders in the global wellness economy, will celebrate its milestone 20th anniversary at Angsana Laguna Phuket, Thailand, from November 10–13 under the theme, “The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.” Centered on the question, “Why Asia, Why Now?”, this year’s Summit will explore both the extraordinary growth of Asia’s wellness economy and the region’s increasing influence on the future direction of global wellness. Following one of the pandemic’s longest and most challenging recovery periods, Asia-Pacific’s wellness market has reached $2 trillion for the first time. With annual growth of 9.3% in 2024, the region is tied with Europe as the fastest-growing wellness market in the world. CEOs of wellness companies, physicians, academics, technology leaders and policymakers will examine why Asia has become a critical lens through which to understand the future of wellness. As countries across the region confront some of the world’s lowest fertility rates and fastest-aging populations, Asia is becoming a living laboratory for innovative approaches to extending healthspan and supporting healthier aging populations. While much of the recent Western longevity conversation has focused on extending lifespan through advanced technologies and personalized interventions, Asia’s emphasis is increasingly on maintaining healthier aging populations as an economic and societal imperative. The conference will explore innovations underway across the region, from government policy initiatives to next-generation wellness destinations. Asia is also emerging as a leader in longevity through a distinctly integrative approach. Its millennia-old, prevention-focused traditional medical systems—including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda—helped shape the modern wellness movement by bringing meditation, yoga, plant-based medicine, spirituality and nature-based healing to global audiences. The conference will explore how Asia is advancing longevity through clinics and resorts that combine cutting-edge diagnostics and longevity science with traditional healing modalities, creating a new medical-wellness paradigm. The Summit will focus on Asia’s wellness tourism, beauty, traditional medicine, wellness real estate, architecture, design and public policy sectors. Experts will share lessons from South Korea’s remarkable K-Beauty boom, where approximately one million people travel annually for aesthetic services and where beauty products have become an export market worth more than $11 billion. Hospitality leaders will examine how Asian brands are shaping the future of wellness travel through deeper commitments to social connection, sustainability, creativity and cultural engagement. With neuroaesthetics and the impact of art on wellbeing among the year’s most discussed topics, Asia’s design leadership will also be highlighted, from architecture-for-wellness philosophies to Thailand’s evolving textile traditions. “Asia is the primary growth engine for the future of travel, luxury and wellness because of the unmatched expansion of its middle class and wealth creation, infrastructure investments, economic resilience, scale and rapid technological advancement,” said Cathy Feliciano-Chon, co-chair of the 2026 Summit and managing partner at FINN Partners Greater China. “It also faces significant challenges, including declining fertility rates and rapidly aging populations—issues that intersect directly with the future of wellness, prevention and longevity. Asia sits at the nexus of both these opportunities and challenges.” Asia’s Standout Wellness Markets and Growth Leaders According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), Asia was among the slowest-growing wellness regions between 2021 and 2023 due to the pandemic’s prolonged impact. It is now experiencing a strong recovery, expanding by 9.3% in 2024 to reach a $2 trillion market—74% larger than before the pandemic. Wellness Tourism Asia’s wellness tourism market reached $215 billion in 2024, making it the world’s largest recent growth story. The sector expanded by 31% in a single year and surpassed Europe in total wellness trips. Four of the five fastest-growing wellness tourism markets are in Asia: India (57%), Thailand (36%), South Korea (36%) and China (35%). Asian hospitality pioneers—including Kamalaya and Chiva-Som in Thailand, Ananda in the Himalayas in India, COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali and The Farm at San Benito in the Philippines—have helped shape modern wellness travel for decades. Traditional and Complementary Medicine GWI projects traditional and complementary medicine to be the second-fastest-growing wellness sector through 2029, expanding by 11% annually. Asia is by far the largest market, valued at $379 billion, representing approximately 63% of global spending. Traditional medical systems across Asia are being reimagined for modern audiences, from growing interest among younger generations in China to the use of artificial intelligence by Chinese universities to optimize TCM applications. Rising global interest became evident this year as wellness practices inspired by TCM attracted tens of millions of views across social media platforms. Healthy Eating, Nutrition and Weight Loss Asia remains the world’s largest market in healthy eating, nutrition and weight management at $347 billion and was also the fastest-growing major regional market in 2024, expanding by 7.7%. Wellness Real Estate Asia has become the world’s largest wellness real estate market at $350 billion, recording annual growth of 26% between 2019 and 2025. Seven of the world’s top twenty wellness real estate markets are located in Asia, including China (#2 globally at $218 billion), Australia (#4 at $38 billion), Japan (#6 at $34 billion) and India (#11 at $20.5 billion). Spas Asia is the world’s second-largest spa market after Europe, generating $42.5 billion in revenue. Following the region’s lengthy pandemic recovery, spa revenues increased by 54.7% in 2023 and a further 17.3% in 2024. Vietnam leads recent growth at 15.6%, followed by India (8.1%), China (7.6%) and Indonesia (7.5%). Thermal and Mineral Springs Asia is the world’s largest thermal and mineral springs market at $38 billion and is home to 22,611 establishments—more than three times the number found in Europe. China’s market is valued at $21.4 billion and Japan’s at $13.6 billion. Social bathing traditions—from Korea’s jjimjilbangs to Japan’s onsens—remain foundational wellness experiences across the region and are increasingly influencing wellness concepts worldwide. Asia: A Living Laboratory for Healthy Longevity Across Asia—including Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore and increasingly India—fertility rates are falling while populations age at unprecedented speed. By 2050, more than one in four Asians will be aged 60 or older. As a result, healthy longevity has become an economic necessity. Rising healthcare costs, shrinking workforces and demographic transformation are prompting governments and businesses alike to rethink aging and prevention. This year’s Summit will explore how Asian nations are developing new approaches to supporting longer, healthier and more productive lives. Examples include China’s “Healthy China 2030” strategy, which places prevention at the center of health policy, and Singapore’s innovative longevity initiatives that promote physical activity, healthier eating and intergenerational support systems. Asia’s Integrative Approach to Longevity While many Western discussions around longevity have focused on advanced clinical interventions, Asian wellness destinations increasingly combine scientific innovation with holistic wellness traditions. Examples include tulåh in Kerala, India, where Ayurveda, yoga, Vedanta, Tibetan medicine and TCM are integrated with advanced diagnostics and regenerative medicine; RAKxa Integrative Wellness in Bangkok, which combines preventive medicine with Thai healing traditions; and Tri Vananda in Phuket, where functional and integrative medicine intersect with cognitive health and mindfulness. Thailand’s Transformation into a Wellness and Longevity Hub Thailand’s wellness traditions run deep, from traditional Thai medicine and massage to its food-as-medicine culture. Today, the country is expanding its role beyond medical tourism and positioning itself as a global destination for wellness and longevity. Recent initiatives include the national wellness tourism campaign “Healing Journey Thailand” and a broad public-private collaboration designed to establish the country as an integrated ecosystem for wellness, health and longevity tourism. BDMS Wellness Clinic, one of Thailand’s leading preventive healthcare providers, is playing a central role in this transformation and recently announced BDMS Silver Wellness & Residences, a major Bangkok development combining advanced medical facilities, longevity services and residential living. “Thailand is the perfect host for a conference that will explore both wellness’s deepest historical roots and its increasingly medical and technology-driven future,” said Susie Ellis, chair and CEO of the Global Wellness Summit. “Across Thailand and throughout Asia, there is a unique combination of foundational wisdom and innovation in wellness, preventive health and longevity. We want delegates to experience the future of Asia because it is helping shape the future of wellness.” Registration for the Summit is open. Apply here.
    • In English
    • Global News
    2026-06-11
  • Donghae Aqua Unveils “VINE7” Smart Vinegar Fermentation System at SEOUL FOOD 2026
    Donghae Aqua, also known as Donghae Aquarium, introduced its smart vinegar fermentation system, VINE7, at SEOUL FOOD 2026, one of Asia’s largest food industry exhibitions, held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, from June 9 to 12. VINE7 was jointly developed by fermentation researcher and inventor Kwon Oh-tae, who has dedicated more than 20 years to fermentation research, and Lee Chang-woo, CEO of Donghae Aqua and a recognized Korean specialist in Venturi technology. From a Miner’s Dream in Germany to an Agricultural Innovation As a young man, Kwon moved to Germany, where he worked in the mining industry and gained firsthand exposure to advanced industrial technologies and European fermentation traditions. Inspired by these experiences, he began exploring ways to combine traditional Korean fermentation methods with scientific process control. After returning to Korea, Kwon settled in a rural mountain village, where he continued his research into fermented foods and agricultural products. His work attracted public attention through a nationally broadcast television documentary that highlighted both his inventive lifestyle and his fermentation studies using a variety of agricultural ingredients, including mandarin melon berries, persimmons, and Aralia elata shoots. “Many high-quality agricultural products are unable to secure fair market prices and are often discarded,” Kwon said. “I wanted to develop a practical technology that could help farmers create greater value from their harvests.” That vision ultimately led to the development of VINE7. Accelerating Natural Fermentation Through Smart Process Control Traditional vinegar fermentation typically requires extensive production space and can take a year or longer to complete. Product consistency can also vary due to seasonal changes and fluctuations in temperature, oxygen supply, and microbial activity. To address these challenges, Kwon collaborated with Lee to develop a system that maintains the principles of natural fermentation while scientifically controlling critical fermentation parameters, including temperature, aeration, and microbial growth conditions. The technology incorporates patented process innovations developed through years of research and field testing. The result is VINE7, a smart fermentation platform capable of producing vinegar from a wide range of agricultural products in approximately seven days while maintaining consistent product quality. With a production capacity of 200 liters per batch, the system is designed for use by farms, agricultural cooperatives, food processors, and small-scale entrepreneurs. Creating New Value for Agricultural Products Beyond vinegar production, VINE7 is positioned as a value-added agricultural processing platform. The system enables local specialties—including apples, grapes, persimmons, black raspberries, plums, mandarin melon berries, and ginseng—to be transformed into premium vinegar products with higher market value. The technology also offers farmers an alternative outlet for surplus, non-standard, or difficult-to-market produce, helping reduce waste while creating additional revenue opportunities. “I have long been concerned about the amount of agricultural produce that goes unused despite the hard work invested by farmers,” Kwon said. “My goal was to create a system that allows anyone to produce and market high-quality vinegar more easily.” Industry professionals who participated in product evaluations during the development process described VINE7 as a highly innovative fermentation solution with strong commercial potential. VINE7 vinegar fermentation system Expanding Opportunities for Farmers Worldwide Donghae Aqua believes VINE7 has significant potential not only in Korea but also in international agricultural markets.As climate change, supply chain disruptions, and agricultural price volatility continue to challenge farmers worldwide, value-added processing technologies are becoming increasingly important for improving farm profitability and sustainability. VINE7 can be deployed in a broad range of environments, from large-scale food manufacturing facilities to small farms, agricultural cooperatives, farming corporations, and regional processing centers. The company also sees potential applications in developing countries where agricultural storage and preservation infrastructure remains limited. Because the system requires only a stable electricity supply, it may provide rural communities with a practical means of extending product shelf life and generating additional income through agricultural processing. Debut at SEOUL FOOD 2026 VINE7 made its first public appearance in the agricultural machinery section of SEOUL FOOD 2026, which opened on June 9 at KINTEX. Lee Chang-woo, CEO of Donghae Aqua, stated, “By combining the wisdom of traditional fermentation with modern scientific technology, we have developed a system that makes high-quality vinegar production more accessible and efficient.” He added, “Beginning with SEOUL FOOD 2026, we hope this fermentation technology developed in Korea will contribute to creating new opportunities for farmers and agricultural businesses around the world.”
    • In English
    • Korea Today
    2026-06-11
  • 2026 Aufguss USA Nationals Showcases the Evolution of Immersive Sauna Wellness Experiences
    The 2026 Aufguss USA Nationals concluded last week after three days of heat, artistry, ritual, and competition held across two Bathhouse locations in New York City, marking another major milestone in the rapid growth of sauna culture in the United States. This year’s event brought together leading Sauna Masters from across the United States to compete in both Show Aufguss and the inaugural Modern Classic Cup before an international panel of judges from Aufguss WM. The Show Aufguss competition took place May 19–20 at Bathhouse Atlantic Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn, while the Modern Classic Cup was held May 21 at Bathhouse Flatiron. Together, the events highlighted the continuing evolution of sauna culture from a traditional wellness practice into a fully immersive social wellness experience combining heat, aroma, music, storytelling, atmosphere, and ritual. “This year’s competition demonstrated how rapidly the level of Aufguss in the United States is advancing,” said Don Genders, Chair of Aufguss USA and CEO of organizing sponsor Design for Leisure. “The creativity, professionalism, technical skill, and emotional connection displayed throughout the week were truly exceptional. We are incredibly proud of every Sauna Master who participated.” The 2026 Nationals also reflected the movement’s accelerating momentum, with competitor applications doubling compared to last year and expanded qualification opportunities granted to the United States by Aufguss WM. Show Aufguss Results Team Show Aufguss First Place: Alexi Irvine & Joli Irvine Second Place: Tovi Wayne & Alonzo Solorzano Runners Up: Breana Marshall & Muhammad “Mo” Hodge Solo Show Aufguss First Place: Tovi Wayne Second Place: Travis Talmadge Runner Up: Alonzo Solorzano Modern Classic Cup Results First Place: Travis Talmadge Second Place: TJ Lupo Runner Up: Tovi Wayne Travis Talmadge_Modern Classic Winner First- and second-place winners in the Show Aufguss categories secured direct qualification to the 2026 Aufguss WM Finals at Satama Sauna Resort & Spa, scheduled for September 13–20. Third-place finishers earned entry into the Playoffs at Thermen Bussloo, taking place August 27–30. Show Aufguss performances emphasized theatrical and high-energy presentations integrating choreography, lighting, costumes, and immersive storytelling. Meanwhile, Modern Classic Cup competitors will advance through the international Modern Classic pathway leading to the finals at Farris Bad, scheduled for October 1–4, 2026. The championship focuses on the traditional art of Aufguss, emphasizing heat management, essential oils, atmosphere, and towel technique. The event was supported by organizing sponsor Design for Leisure; venue partner Bathhouse; Platinum Sponsor and Official Sauna Partner Harvia; Gold Sponsor Aufguss Roots USA; and event partners Aromen and Romana. Together, these partners helped support the continued expansion of Aufguss culture and communal sauna experiences throughout the United States. As the official U.S. member organization of Aufguss WM, Aufguss USA continues to promote European sauna ritual culture across the United States while helping develop a new generation of Sauna Masters for the international stage.
    • In English
    • Feature
    2026-05-28
  • Wehome Launches “K-POP Stay 2026” for BTS Comeback Tour
    Wehome (CEO Sangu Jo), Korea’s leading home-sharing platform, announced the official launch of “K-POP Stay 2026 (Seoul·Goyang·Busan)”, a special home-sharing campaign for global fans in celebration of BTS’s 5th studio album “ARIRANG” and their upcoming comeback performances. K-POP Stay 2026 connects overseas K-POP fans with local Korean citizen hosts, allowing them to stay in Korean homes and experience cultural exchange firsthand. In alignment with the large-scale concert schedule: · March 21 in Gwanghwamun, Seoul · April 9-12 at Goyang Sports Complex Stadium · June 12-13 in Busan Wehome will provide customized accommodations in each host city. Through this initiative, Wehome aims to address recurring issues of accommodation shortages and price surges during major concerts, while establishing a new travel and lodging culture called “K-POP Stay,” where fans and local communities are meaningfully connected. Hosts may participate either as: · Volunteer Hosts (ARMY members offering rooms without accommodation fees, receiving only actual expense reimbursement, such as cleaning costs), or · Paid Hosts operating legally under Korea’s home-sharing system. All newly registered listings undergo strict screening by Wehome managers to verify safety, cleanliness, and legal compliance. For paid hosts, Wehome utilizes its government-approved Regulatory Sandbox Demonstration Program, which allows legal home-sharing operations under official authorization. To protect international visitors, accommodation fees will be capped at no more than twice the average market rate for the same period in 2025, ensuring fair pricing and preventing excessive markups. The first round of host recruitment will begin in Seoul (Gwanghwamun, Jongno, Mapo, Gangnam, and surrounding areas) from February 13 to February 28, targeting 200 citizen hosts with available spare rooms. Hosts who wish to operate paid accommodations will receive expedited support for legal registration under Wehome’s regulatory sandbox program to minimize legal risks. Recruitment for Goyang (April concerts) and Busan (June concerts) will open sequentially in accordance with each concert schedule. Global guest applications for the March Seoul concert will be accepted from March 1 to March 5. Selected guests (after fan verification) will receive exclusive benefits including: · VIP airport van service (for groups of up to 10) · Welcome kits featuring K-Beauty amenities and Korean-language merchandise · Luggage storage service (Wehome Keep) Abraham Shim, Co-CEO of Wehome, stated, “K-POP Stay 2026 is a privately led cultural exchange campaign that safely supports the massive global movement of K-POP fandom from Seoul to Goyang and Busan. We hope international fans can experience both Korea’s K-POP landmarks and everyday Korean life through stays in citizen hosts’ homes.”
    • In English
    • Korea Today
    2026-02-13
  • Global Wellness Summit Releases Top 10 Wellness Trends for 2026
    The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) has released its annual Future of Wellness report, a 150-page forecast widely regarded as the longest-running and most comprehensive outlook on the ideas set to transform the global health and wellness industry in the year ahead. According to GWS, the wellness market has undergone more disruption in the past few years than in the previous two decades combined. The industry has been rapidly reshaped by high-tech, medicalized, and hyper-optimizing approaches—from the boom in longevity clinics to the explosion of diagnostics and wearable health devices. At the same time, a powerful countercurrent has emerged: a growing desire for low-tech, deeply human, social, and emotionally grounded forms of wellness. These polarities now define the wellness market—and form the foundation of the 2026 trends report. “In 2026, we’ll see a backlash against over-optimization and the bold return of pleasure and joy; women finally getting their own lanes in longevity and sports; longevity expanding into real estate and beauty; and wellness tackling major crises such as disaster preparedness, microplastics, and nervous system exhaustion,” GWS noted. Four Defining Themes for 2026 1) An Over-Optimization Backlash: The Return of the Human After years of data-driven self-tracking, many consumers are experiencing fatigue from the pressure to constantly measure and perfect their health. Sleep scores, glucose graphs, aging biomarkers, and performance metrics have turned wellbeing into a relentless project of self-surveillance. In response, wellness is shifting toward experiences that prioritize emotion, sensation, connection, and joy over metrics. Rituals, catharsis, and self-expression are gaining ground over clinical performance tracking. This shift is visible in trends such as “The Festivalization of Wellness,” where music, dance, and collective emotional release define new wellness gatherings, and “Fragrance Layering,” where scent becomes a creative, cultural, and deeply personal language rather than a status symbol. 2) The Year of Women Long-standing gender inequities in major wellness markets are beginning to correct—especially in longevity and sports. The longevity industry has largely been built around male biology. However, research increasingly shows that women age differently, with ovarian health playing a central role in systemic aging. As a result, longevity science and wellness services are pivoting toward women’s healthspan, requiring diagnostics and interventions tailored to each life stage. Meanwhile, women’s sports are experiencing a long-awaited tipping point. New leagues, surging female fandom, and the rise of female athletes as cultural and commercial powerhouses are transforming the sports economy. Globally, more women are shifting from solitary fitness routines toward empowering, community-based sports participation. 3) Longevity Expands in New Directions Longevity is moving beyond clinics and resorts into everyday life. A new category of “longevity residences” is emerging within wellness real estate, integrating preventive medicine, advanced diagnostics, AI-enabled health tracking, and biohacking directly into residential environments. In beauty, the concept of “skin longevity” is replacing traditional anti-aging narratives. Innovations in regenerative science, biotech, AI-driven diagnostics, and advanced active ingredients are reframing skincare as a long-term strategy to maintain the skin’s function and overall health—positioning skin as both the body’s largest organ and a key indicator of systemic wellbeing. 4) Wellness Tackles Major Environmental and Human Crises As climate disasters, environmental pollution, and chronic stress become everyday realities, crisis response is becoming a new pillar of wellness. The trend “Ready Is the New Well” reframes disaster preparedness as a form of preventive health, where having an emergency plan becomes as essential as having a fitness routine. At the same time, microplastics—now detected in human blood, lungs, placentas, and even the brain—are emerging as a critical human health issue, pushing both public health and the wellness industry from awareness toward action. Additionally, neurowellness is rising as a major frontier. With modern digital life keeping nervous systems in a constant state of low-grade fight-or-flight, regulating the nervous system is becoming central to health. Solutions range from consumer neurotechnology and vagus nerve stimulation devices to somatic practices, breathwork, and touch therapies. The Top 10 Wellness Trends for 2026 According to GWS, the ten trends set to shape the global wellness landscape in 2026 are: 1. Women Get Their Own Lane in Longevity The longevity industry has long operated on a male-centric model, with research, diagnostics, and treatment protocols largely extrapolated from male biology. That paradigm is now shifting. Mounting scientific evidence shows that women age differently, with ovarian health functioning as a central regulator of systemic aging. The decline of ovarian function—particularly during menopause—has been linked to accelerated risks for conditions such as osteoporosis, dementia, immune disorders, and cardiovascular disease. In response, the next frontier in longevity science focuses on women’s healthspan, not just lifespan. Research into slowing ovarian aging—from stem cell therapies to interventions targeting ovarian fibrosis—is gaining momentum. The wellness industry is evolving accordingly, moving beyond menopause symptom management toward life-stage–specific longevity strategies. This includes ovarian reserve testing as a routine health metric, renewed interest in hormone replacement therapy as a longevity tool, and strength training reframed as essential—not optional—for women’s long-term vitality. Wellness resorts, longevity clinics, digital health platforms, and fitness brands are all adapting services to address women’s biological realities more precisely. 2. The Over-Optimization Backlash Health has never been more measurable—yet it has rarely felt so psychologically demanding. From sleep scores and glucose monitors to aging clocks and recovery metrics, self-tracking tools have turned wellness into a constant performance evaluation. While these technologies offer valuable insight, therapists and clinicians increasingly warn of “data fatigue,” anxiety, and decision paralysis caused by the pressure to continuously optimize. The over-optimization backlash represents a cultural pivot away from relentless self-surveillance and toward nervous-system safety, emotional wellbeing, and pleasure. Wellness spaces are emphasizing rituals over results and experience over metrics. Social saunas, low-stimulation retreats, pleasure-forward nutrition, and somatic release classes are expanding globally. Even major athletic brands are shifting marketing language from performance and intensity toward softness, presence, and joy. Technology itself is adapting, with a rise in “quiet tech” that regulates the body in the background without constant dashboards or alerts. 3. The Rise of Neurowellness Neurowellness is moving from niche to mainstream as consumers recognize that many chronic health issues stem from nervous system dysregulation, not lack of discipline. Persistent stress keeps the body in a low-grade fight-or-flight state, contributing to poor sleep, inflammation, hormone disruption, anxiety, and burnout. Sleep tracking first exposed this issue at scale, but solutions are now expanding. “Hard-care” neurowellness includes consumer neurotechnology such as vagus nerve stimulation devices, EEG-guided sleep systems, and at-home neuromodulation tools. Clinical neurofeedback platforms are also becoming more accessible. At the same time, “soft-care” modalities—breathwork, touch therapy, yoga, Feldenkrais, and somatic practices—are increasingly recognized as evidence-based nervous system interventions. As brain–body research advances, neurowellness is spreading into mental healthcare, hospitality, fitness studios, and real estate, making nervous system regulation an integrated feature of everyday environments. 4. Fragrance Layering Fragrance is evolving from a luxury accessory into a form of personal expression and emotional regulation. Fragrance layering—the practice of combining multiple scents to create a unique signature—is reviving ancient scent traditions while embracing modern identity culture. Driven largely by Gen Z and Millennials, layering is flourishing on social platforms and in niche fragrance communities. Consumers are building “fragrance wardrobes,” experimenting with mood-shifting scent combinations, and attending layering workshops. The trend extends beyond the body into environments, where evolving scent profiles are used to influence mood and ritual. Smart fragrance technology and AI tools are enabling dynamic scent changes throughout the day, transforming fragrance into an interactive, personalized wellness tool rather than a static product. 5. Ready Is the New Well As climate disasters and extreme weather events become more frequent, preparedness is emerging as a new dimension of preventative wellness. “Ready Is the New Well” reframes emergency readiness as part of holistic resilience—where mental health, physical strength, and community interdependence converge. Wellness businesses are beginning to incorporate preparedness into their offerings. Fitness centers may double as emergency shelters, retreats may include resilience training, and demand is growing for disaster-resilient architecture. The wellness industry is also positioned to support the psychological impact of crisis—helping people manage chronic fear while also processing trauma from events already experienced. Practical readiness, once seen as survivalist or fringe, is entering the mainstream wellness conversation. 6. Skin Longevity Redefines Beauty The beauty industry is shifting from anti-aging to skin longevity, a science-driven approach focused on maintaining the skin’s function and resilience over time. Skin is increasingly understood as both the body’s largest organ and a visible indicator of systemic health. This movement is fueled by biotech innovation, AI-powered skin diagnostics, and new regenerative ingredients that target cellular repair and long-term tissue health. Rather than reversing visible signs of age, the goal is to extend the skin’s optimal performance across decades. The concept is expanding to include scalp and hair longevity, emphasizing follicle health and regenerative therapies. This reframing aligns beauty more closely with preventative healthcare and longevity science. 7. The Festivalization of Wellness Wellness is becoming more social, expressive, and immersive through large-scale, festival-like gatherings. These events respond to widespread loneliness, digital fatigue, and economic stress by offering collective joy, emotional release, and shared identity. Wellness raves, sober dance events, multi-day retreats, and hybrid music-wellness festivals are growing worldwide. Movement, sauna rituals, creative workshops, and somatic practices are woven into communal experiences that prioritize participation over perfection. Luxury resorts and major festival brands alike are incorporating wellness programming, while grassroots events transform dance floors into spaces for catharsis and connection. The result is a cultural shift where wellness becomes a shared, emotionally rich experience rather than a solitary pursuit. 8. Women and Sports: The Revolution Continues Women’s sports are experiencing a structural transformation, not just a moment of visibility. New professional leagues are launching, media coverage is expanding, and global audiences for women’s competitions are reaching record levels. Female athletes are also becoming influential entrepreneurs and cultural leaders, building brands in fashion, beauty, and wellness. At the grassroots level, more women are joining leagues, strength training, and choosing performance over aesthetics. Women-only gyms and sports communities are expanding worldwide. This movement is reshaping not just athletics but broader definitions of strength, leadership, and representation across the wellness economy. 9. Tackling Microplastics as a Human Health Issue Microplastics have moved from an environmental concern to a direct human health issue. These particles are now being detected in human blood, lungs, placentas, and brain tissue. Exposure occurs through food, water, air, clothing fibers, and consumer products. Early research links microplastics to inflammation, endocrine disruption, cardiovascular risks, and potential neurological effects. As evidence grows, the wellness and medical sectors are beginning to address the issue more actively. Innovations include plastic-free consumer goods, filtration systems, and clinical approaches aimed at reducing body burden. Microplastic exposure may soon become a routinely monitored health marker, influencing design decisions across architecture, fashion, food systems, and healthcare. 10. Longevity Residences Longevity is entering the built environment through a new category of wellness real estate: longevity residences. These homes and communities are designed to actively support long-term health through integrated medical and technological systems. Features may include on-site diagnostics, AI-driven health monitoring, circadian lighting, air and water optimization, and access to preventive medicine and concierge healthcare. Unlike traditional wellness real estate, which focuses on amenities, longevity residences aim to remove friction from healthy living and embed health optimization into daily life. As populations age and investment in longevity science grows, the home itself is becoming a central platform for extending healthspan. The Future of Wellness report is the only trends forecast based on insights from hundreds of global health and wellness experts who gather annually at the Global Wellness Summit. Each trend includes detailed sub-trends, scientific context, and examples of companies pioneering these emerging directions. The full 2026 Future of Wellness Trends report is available on the official Global Wellness Summit website.
    • In English
    • Global News
    2026-01-28
  • Global Wellness Economy Reaches Record $6.8 Trillion, Set to Hit $9.8 Trillion by 2029
    The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) announced on the 19th the release of its Global Wellness Economy Monitor 2025, the industry’s only comprehensive research report covering the global wellness market and its 11 major sectors. According to the new data, the wellness economy continues its strong and accelerating trajectory, reaching an all-time high of $6.8 trillion in 2024, a 7.9% increase from the previous year and nearly double the size recorded in 2013. GWI confirmed that the global market has fully moved beyond the “pandemic recovery” stage, as all 11 wellness sectors have now surpassed their 2019 levels—many by significant margins. Among them, wellness real estate and mental wellness have been the fastest-growing categories over the past five years, expanding at annual rates of 19.5% and 12.4%, respectively. One exception is workplace wellness, which recorded a 1.5% decline from 2023 to 2024. Still, the broader regional markets have shown marked vitality, with North America (7.9%), the Middle East-North Africa (7.2%), and Europe (6.3%) posting notable annual growth. Wellness, A Massive Economic Force: The scale of the global wellness economy has now surpassed several other mega-industries. At $6.8 trillion, wellness is larger than sports ($2.7T), tourism ($5T), the green economy ($5.1T), and information technology ($5.3T). It is nearly four times the size of the pharmaceutical sector ($1.8T) and represents 60% of total global health expenditures, which amount to $11.2 trillion. Wellness accounted for 6.1% of global GDP in 2024, up from 5.7% in 2019, and is projected to rise to 7.1% by 2029. GWI forecasts that wellness spending will continue to accelerate at 7.6% annually through 2029, pushing the market to $9.8 trillion. The strongest projected performers include wellness real estate (15.8%), traditional and complementary medicine (10.8%), mental wellness (10.1%), and thermal/mineral springs (10%). “Now that the wellness economy has fully recovered from the pandemic, we can see how unstoppable it is as a consumer trend, and also how much the future growth has been accelerated by our pandemic experiences,” said Katherine Johnston, GWI senior research fellow. “There’s been a sea change in consumer mindsets, with prevention, mental health, social connection, the impacts of our living environments, and nature becoming dramatically more important all over the world. These shifts are fueling growth across all wellness sectors––from wellness real estate and mental wellness to hot springs and social bathing to more sophisticated preventative medical-wellness solutions.” The 140-page report presents detailed market data, sector-level analyses, and projections for all 11 wellness categories, along with regional trends and the top 20 national markets. A new chapter for 2025 explores key forces shaping the future of wellness and why some segments are expanding more quickly than others. Which Wellness Markets Will Grow Fastest? Among recent trends, wellness real estate remains the standout performer, doubling in size over the past five years. Mental wellness continues to surge, driven by increasing levels of stress worldwide and heightened prioritization of psychological wellbeing among younger demographics. The U.S. leads the mental wellness market at $125 billion, far outpacing China in second place at $16 billion. Sub-markets with especially strong growth over the past five years include cannabis products (26%), meditation and mindfulness (18.9%), and sleep-related products and services (12.6%). Four significant categories—personal care and beauty; healthy eating, nutrition and weight loss; physical activity; and traditional and complementary medicine—maintained stable annual growth of around 5% from 2019 to 2024. Meanwhile, tourism-related sectors experienced a strong rebound between 2023 and 2024: wellness tourism grew 13.8%, spas 14.6%, and thermal/mineral springs 11.1%, placing them among the year’s strongest performers. Per capita wellness spending varies widely by region, with North America at $6,029 and Europe at $1,876, while Latin America-Caribbean ($607), Asia ($471), and the Middle East-North Africa ($339) remain significantly lower. Looking ahead, GWI projects that by 2029, six wellness sectors will exceed $1 trillion in market size: personal care and beauty; healthy eating, nutrition and weight loss; physical activity; wellness tourism; wellness real estate; and traditional and complementary medicine. Thermal and mineral springs are also expected to be a standout performer, bolstered by a global surge in social bathing culture and significant investments in springs-based destinations.
    • In English
    • Global News
    2025-11-20

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    Global Wellness Summit Celebrates 20th Anniversary in Thailand, Exploring Why Asia Is Shaping the Future of Wellness
    The Global Wellness Summit™ (GWS), the foremost gathering of leaders in the global wellness economy, will celebrate its milestone 20th anniversary at Angsana Laguna Phuket, Thailand, from November 10–13 under the theme, “The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.” Centered on the question, “Why Asia, Why Now?”, this year’s Summit will explore both the extraordinary growth of Asia’s wellness economy and the region’s increasing influence on the future direction of global wellness. Following one of the pandemic’s longest and most challenging recovery periods, Asia-Pacific’s wellness market has reached $2 trillion for the first time. With annual growth of 9.3% in 2024, the region is tied with Europe as the fastest-growing wellness market in the world. CEOs of wellness companies, physicians, academics, technology leaders and policymakers will examine why Asia has become a critical lens through which to understand the future of wellness. As countries across the region confront some of the world’s lowest fertility rates and fastest-aging populations, Asia is becoming a living laboratory for innovative approaches to extending healthspan and supporting healthier aging populations. While much of the recent Western longevity conversation has focused on extending lifespan through advanced technologies and personalized interventions, Asia’s emphasis is increasingly on maintaining healthier aging populations as an economic and societal imperative. The conference will explore innovations underway across the region, from government policy initiatives to next-generation wellness destinations. Asia is also emerging as a leader in longevity through a distinctly integrative approach. Its millennia-old, prevention-focused traditional medical systems—including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda—helped shape the modern wellness movement by bringing meditation, yoga, plant-based medicine, spirituality and nature-based healing to global audiences. The conference will explore how Asia is advancing longevity through clinics and resorts that combine cutting-edge diagnostics and longevity science with traditional healing modalities, creating a new medical-wellness paradigm. The Summit will focus on Asia’s wellness tourism, beauty, traditional medicine, wellness real estate, architecture, design and public policy sectors. Experts will share lessons from South Korea’s remarkable K-Beauty boom, where approximately one million people travel annually for aesthetic services and where beauty products have become an export market worth more than $11 billion. Hospitality leaders will examine how Asian brands are shaping the future of wellness travel through deeper commitments to social connection, sustainability, creativity and cultural engagement. With neuroaesthetics and the impact of art on wellbeing among the year’s most discussed topics, Asia’s design leadership will also be highlighted, from architecture-for-wellness philosophies to Thailand’s evolving textile traditions. “Asia is the primary growth engine for the future of travel, luxury and wellness because of the unmatched expansion of its middle class and wealth creation, infrastructure investments, economic resilience, scale and rapid technological advancement,” said Cathy Feliciano-Chon, co-chair of the 2026 Summit and managing partner at FINN Partners Greater China. “It also faces significant challenges, including declining fertility rates and rapidly aging populations—issues that intersect directly with the future of wellness, prevention and longevity. Asia sits at the nexus of both these opportunities and challenges.” Asia’s Standout Wellness Markets and Growth Leaders According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), Asia was among the slowest-growing wellness regions between 2021 and 2023 due to the pandemic’s prolonged impact. It is now experiencing a strong recovery, expanding by 9.3% in 2024 to reach a $2 trillion market—74% larger than before the pandemic. Wellness Tourism Asia’s wellness tourism market reached $215 billion in 2024, making it the world’s largest recent growth story. The sector expanded by 31% in a single year and surpassed Europe in total wellness trips. Four of the five fastest-growing wellness tourism markets are in Asia: India (57%), Thailand (36%), South Korea (36%) and China (35%). Asian hospitality pioneers—including Kamalaya and Chiva-Som in Thailand, Ananda in the Himalayas in India, COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali and The Farm at San Benito in the Philippines—have helped shape modern wellness travel for decades. Traditional and Complementary Medicine GWI projects traditional and complementary medicine to be the second-fastest-growing wellness sector through 2029, expanding by 11% annually. Asia is by far the largest market, valued at $379 billion, representing approximately 63% of global spending. Traditional medical systems across Asia are being reimagined for modern audiences, from growing interest among younger generations in China to the use of artificial intelligence by Chinese universities to optimize TCM applications. Rising global interest became evident this year as wellness practices inspired by TCM attracted tens of millions of views across social media platforms. Healthy Eating, Nutrition and Weight Loss Asia remains the world’s largest market in healthy eating, nutrition and weight management at $347 billion and was also the fastest-growing major regional market in 2024, expanding by 7.7%. Wellness Real Estate Asia has become the world’s largest wellness real estate market at $350 billion, recording annual growth of 26% between 2019 and 2025. Seven of the world’s top twenty wellness real estate markets are located in Asia, including China (#2 globally at $218 billion), Australia (#4 at $38 billion), Japan (#6 at $34 billion) and India (#11 at $20.5 billion). Spas Asia is the world’s second-largest spa market after Europe, generating $42.5 billion in revenue. Following the region’s lengthy pandemic recovery, spa revenues increased by 54.7% in 2023 and a further 17.3% in 2024. Vietnam leads recent growth at 15.6%, followed by India (8.1%), China (7.6%) and Indonesia (7.5%). Thermal and Mineral Springs Asia is the world’s largest thermal and mineral springs market at $38 billion and is home to 22,611 establishments—more than three times the number found in Europe. China’s market is valued at $21.4 billion and Japan’s at $13.6 billion. Social bathing traditions—from Korea’s jjimjilbangs to Japan’s onsens—remain foundational wellness experiences across the region and are increasingly influencing wellness concepts worldwide. Asia: A Living Laboratory for Healthy Longevity Across Asia—including Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore and increasingly India—fertility rates are falling while populations age at unprecedented speed. By 2050, more than one in four Asians will be aged 60 or older. As a result, healthy longevity has become an economic necessity. Rising healthcare costs, shrinking workforces and demographic transformation are prompting governments and businesses alike to rethink aging and prevention. This year’s Summit will explore how Asian nations are developing new approaches to supporting longer, healthier and more productive lives. Examples include China’s “Healthy China 2030” strategy, which places prevention at the center of health policy, and Singapore’s innovative longevity initiatives that promote physical activity, healthier eating and intergenerational support systems. Asia’s Integrative Approach to Longevity While many Western discussions around longevity have focused on advanced clinical interventions, Asian wellness destinations increasingly combine scientific innovation with holistic wellness traditions. Examples include tulåh in Kerala, India, where Ayurveda, yoga, Vedanta, Tibetan medicine and TCM are integrated with advanced diagnostics and regenerative medicine; RAKxa Integrative Wellness in Bangkok, which combines preventive medicine with Thai healing traditions; and Tri Vananda in Phuket, where functional and integrative medicine intersect with cognitive health and mindfulness. Thailand’s Transformation into a Wellness and Longevity Hub Thailand’s wellness traditions run deep, from traditional Thai medicine and massage to its food-as-medicine culture. Today, the country is expanding its role beyond medical tourism and positioning itself as a global destination for wellness and longevity. Recent initiatives include the national wellness tourism campaign “Healing Journey Thailand” and a broad public-private collaboration designed to establish the country as an integrated ecosystem for wellness, health and longevity tourism. BDMS Wellness Clinic, one of Thailand’s leading preventive healthcare providers, is playing a central role in this transformation and recently announced BDMS Silver Wellness & Residences, a major Bangkok development combining advanced medical facilities, longevity services and residential living. “Thailand is the perfect host for a conference that will explore both wellness’s deepest historical roots and its increasingly medical and technology-driven future,” said Susie Ellis, chair and CEO of the Global Wellness Summit. “Across Thailand and throughout Asia, there is a unique combination of foundational wisdom and innovation in wellness, preventive health and longevity. We want delegates to experience the future of Asia because it is helping shape the future of wellness.” Registration for the Summit is open. Apply here.
    • In English
    • Global News
    2026-06-11
  • Donghae Aqua Unveils “VINE7” Smart Vinegar Fermentation System at SEOUL FOOD 2026
    Donghae Aqua, also known as Donghae Aquarium, introduced its smart vinegar fermentation system, VINE7, at SEOUL FOOD 2026, one of Asia’s largest food industry exhibitions, held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, from June 9 to 12. VINE7 was jointly developed by fermentation researcher and inventor Kwon Oh-tae, who has dedicated more than 20 years to fermentation research, and Lee Chang-woo, CEO of Donghae Aqua and a recognized Korean specialist in Venturi technology. From a Miner’s Dream in Germany to an Agricultural Innovation As a young man, Kwon moved to Germany, where he worked in the mining industry and gained firsthand exposure to advanced industrial technologies and European fermentation traditions. Inspired by these experiences, he began exploring ways to combine traditional Korean fermentation methods with scientific process control. After returning to Korea, Kwon settled in a rural mountain village, where he continued his research into fermented foods and agricultural products. His work attracted public attention through a nationally broadcast television documentary that highlighted both his inventive lifestyle and his fermentation studies using a variety of agricultural ingredients, including mandarin melon berries, persimmons, and Aralia elata shoots. “Many high-quality agricultural products are unable to secure fair market prices and are often discarded,” Kwon said. “I wanted to develop a practical technology that could help farmers create greater value from their harvests.” That vision ultimately led to the development of VINE7. Accelerating Natural Fermentation Through Smart Process Control Traditional vinegar fermentation typically requires extensive production space and can take a year or longer to complete. Product consistency can also vary due to seasonal changes and fluctuations in temperature, oxygen supply, and microbial activity. To address these challenges, Kwon collaborated with Lee to develop a system that maintains the principles of natural fermentation while scientifically controlling critical fermentation parameters, including temperature, aeration, and microbial growth conditions. The technology incorporates patented process innovations developed through years of research and field testing. The result is VINE7, a smart fermentation platform capable of producing vinegar from a wide range of agricultural products in approximately seven days while maintaining consistent product quality. With a production capacity of 200 liters per batch, the system is designed for use by farms, agricultural cooperatives, food processors, and small-scale entrepreneurs. Creating New Value for Agricultural Products Beyond vinegar production, VINE7 is positioned as a value-added agricultural processing platform. The system enables local specialties—including apples, grapes, persimmons, black raspberries, plums, mandarin melon berries, and ginseng—to be transformed into premium vinegar products with higher market value. The technology also offers farmers an alternative outlet for surplus, non-standard, or difficult-to-market produce, helping reduce waste while creating additional revenue opportunities. “I have long been concerned about the amount of agricultural produce that goes unused despite the hard work invested by farmers,” Kwon said. “My goal was to create a system that allows anyone to produce and market high-quality vinegar more easily.” Industry professionals who participated in product evaluations during the development process described VINE7 as a highly innovative fermentation solution with strong commercial potential. VINE7 vinegar fermentation system Expanding Opportunities for Farmers Worldwide Donghae Aqua believes VINE7 has significant potential not only in Korea but also in international agricultural markets.As climate change, supply chain disruptions, and agricultural price volatility continue to challenge farmers worldwide, value-added processing technologies are becoming increasingly important for improving farm profitability and sustainability. VINE7 can be deployed in a broad range of environments, from large-scale food manufacturing facilities to small farms, agricultural cooperatives, farming corporations, and regional processing centers. The company also sees potential applications in developing countries where agricultural storage and preservation infrastructure remains limited. Because the system requires only a stable electricity supply, it may provide rural communities with a practical means of extending product shelf life and generating additional income through agricultural processing. Debut at SEOUL FOOD 2026 VINE7 made its first public appearance in the agricultural machinery section of SEOUL FOOD 2026, which opened on June 9 at KINTEX. Lee Chang-woo, CEO of Donghae Aqua, stated, “By combining the wisdom of traditional fermentation with modern scientific technology, we have developed a system that makes high-quality vinegar production more accessible and efficient.” He added, “Beginning with SEOUL FOOD 2026, we hope this fermentation technology developed in Korea will contribute to creating new opportunities for farmers and agricultural businesses around the world.”
    • In English
    • Korea Today
    2026-06-11
  • 2026 Aufguss USA Nationals Showcases the Evolution of Immersive Sauna Wellness Experiences
    The 2026 Aufguss USA Nationals concluded last week after three days of heat, artistry, ritual, and competition held across two Bathhouse locations in New York City, marking another major milestone in the rapid growth of sauna culture in the United States. This year’s event brought together leading Sauna Masters from across the United States to compete in both Show Aufguss and the inaugural Modern Classic Cup before an international panel of judges from Aufguss WM. The Show Aufguss competition took place May 19–20 at Bathhouse Atlantic Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn, while the Modern Classic Cup was held May 21 at Bathhouse Flatiron. Together, the events highlighted the continuing evolution of sauna culture from a traditional wellness practice into a fully immersive social wellness experience combining heat, aroma, music, storytelling, atmosphere, and ritual. “This year’s competition demonstrated how rapidly the level of Aufguss in the United States is advancing,” said Don Genders, Chair of Aufguss USA and CEO of organizing sponsor Design for Leisure. “The creativity, professionalism, technical skill, and emotional connection displayed throughout the week were truly exceptional. We are incredibly proud of every Sauna Master who participated.” The 2026 Nationals also reflected the movement’s accelerating momentum, with competitor applications doubling compared to last year and expanded qualification opportunities granted to the United States by Aufguss WM. Show Aufguss Results Team Show Aufguss First Place: Alexi Irvine & Joli Irvine Second Place: Tovi Wayne & Alonzo Solorzano Runners Up: Breana Marshall & Muhammad “Mo” Hodge Solo Show Aufguss First Place: Tovi Wayne Second Place: Travis Talmadge Runner Up: Alonzo Solorzano Modern Classic Cup Results First Place: Travis Talmadge Second Place: TJ Lupo Runner Up: Tovi Wayne Travis Talmadge_Modern Classic Winner First- and second-place winners in the Show Aufguss categories secured direct qualification to the 2026 Aufguss WM Finals at Satama Sauna Resort & Spa, scheduled for September 13–20. Third-place finishers earned entry into the Playoffs at Thermen Bussloo, taking place August 27–30. Show Aufguss performances emphasized theatrical and high-energy presentations integrating choreography, lighting, costumes, and immersive storytelling. Meanwhile, Modern Classic Cup competitors will advance through the international Modern Classic pathway leading to the finals at Farris Bad, scheduled for October 1–4, 2026. The championship focuses on the traditional art of Aufguss, emphasizing heat management, essential oils, atmosphere, and towel technique. The event was supported by organizing sponsor Design for Leisure; venue partner Bathhouse; Platinum Sponsor and Official Sauna Partner Harvia; Gold Sponsor Aufguss Roots USA; and event partners Aromen and Romana. Together, these partners helped support the continued expansion of Aufguss culture and communal sauna experiences throughout the United States. As the official U.S. member organization of Aufguss WM, Aufguss USA continues to promote European sauna ritual culture across the United States while helping develop a new generation of Sauna Masters for the international stage.
    • In English
    • Feature
    2026-05-28
  • Wehome Launches “K-POP Stay 2026” for BTS Comeback Tour
    Wehome (CEO Sangu Jo), Korea’s leading home-sharing platform, announced the official launch of “K-POP Stay 2026 (Seoul·Goyang·Busan)”, a special home-sharing campaign for global fans in celebration of BTS’s 5th studio album “ARIRANG” and their upcoming comeback performances. K-POP Stay 2026 connects overseas K-POP fans with local Korean citizen hosts, allowing them to stay in Korean homes and experience cultural exchange firsthand. In alignment with the large-scale concert schedule: · March 21 in Gwanghwamun, Seoul · April 9-12 at Goyang Sports Complex Stadium · June 12-13 in Busan Wehome will provide customized accommodations in each host city. Through this initiative, Wehome aims to address recurring issues of accommodation shortages and price surges during major concerts, while establishing a new travel and lodging culture called “K-POP Stay,” where fans and local communities are meaningfully connected. Hosts may participate either as: · Volunteer Hosts (ARMY members offering rooms without accommodation fees, receiving only actual expense reimbursement, such as cleaning costs), or · Paid Hosts operating legally under Korea’s home-sharing system. All newly registered listings undergo strict screening by Wehome managers to verify safety, cleanliness, and legal compliance. For paid hosts, Wehome utilizes its government-approved Regulatory Sandbox Demonstration Program, which allows legal home-sharing operations under official authorization. To protect international visitors, accommodation fees will be capped at no more than twice the average market rate for the same period in 2025, ensuring fair pricing and preventing excessive markups. The first round of host recruitment will begin in Seoul (Gwanghwamun, Jongno, Mapo, Gangnam, and surrounding areas) from February 13 to February 28, targeting 200 citizen hosts with available spare rooms. Hosts who wish to operate paid accommodations will receive expedited support for legal registration under Wehome’s regulatory sandbox program to minimize legal risks. Recruitment for Goyang (April concerts) and Busan (June concerts) will open sequentially in accordance with each concert schedule. Global guest applications for the March Seoul concert will be accepted from March 1 to March 5. Selected guests (after fan verification) will receive exclusive benefits including: · VIP airport van service (for groups of up to 10) · Welcome kits featuring K-Beauty amenities and Korean-language merchandise · Luggage storage service (Wehome Keep) Abraham Shim, Co-CEO of Wehome, stated, “K-POP Stay 2026 is a privately led cultural exchange campaign that safely supports the massive global movement of K-POP fandom from Seoul to Goyang and Busan. We hope international fans can experience both Korea’s K-POP landmarks and everyday Korean life through stays in citizen hosts’ homes.”
    • In English
    • Korea Today
    2026-02-13
  • Global Wellness Summit Releases Top 10 Wellness Trends for 2026
    The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) has released its annual Future of Wellness report, a 150-page forecast widely regarded as the longest-running and most comprehensive outlook on the ideas set to transform the global health and wellness industry in the year ahead. According to GWS, the wellness market has undergone more disruption in the past few years than in the previous two decades combined. The industry has been rapidly reshaped by high-tech, medicalized, and hyper-optimizing approaches—from the boom in longevity clinics to the explosion of diagnostics and wearable health devices. At the same time, a powerful countercurrent has emerged: a growing desire for low-tech, deeply human, social, and emotionally grounded forms of wellness. These polarities now define the wellness market—and form the foundation of the 2026 trends report. “In 2026, we’ll see a backlash against over-optimization and the bold return of pleasure and joy; women finally getting their own lanes in longevity and sports; longevity expanding into real estate and beauty; and wellness tackling major crises such as disaster preparedness, microplastics, and nervous system exhaustion,” GWS noted. Four Defining Themes for 2026 1) An Over-Optimization Backlash: The Return of the Human After years of data-driven self-tracking, many consumers are experiencing fatigue from the pressure to constantly measure and perfect their health. Sleep scores, glucose graphs, aging biomarkers, and performance metrics have turned wellbeing into a relentless project of self-surveillance. In response, wellness is shifting toward experiences that prioritize emotion, sensation, connection, and joy over metrics. Rituals, catharsis, and self-expression are gaining ground over clinical performance tracking. This shift is visible in trends such as “The Festivalization of Wellness,” where music, dance, and collective emotional release define new wellness gatherings, and “Fragrance Layering,” where scent becomes a creative, cultural, and deeply personal language rather than a status symbol. 2) The Year of Women Long-standing gender inequities in major wellness markets are beginning to correct—especially in longevity and sports. The longevity industry has largely been built around male biology. However, research increasingly shows that women age differently, with ovarian health playing a central role in systemic aging. As a result, longevity science and wellness services are pivoting toward women’s healthspan, requiring diagnostics and interventions tailored to each life stage. Meanwhile, women’s sports are experiencing a long-awaited tipping point. New leagues, surging female fandom, and the rise of female athletes as cultural and commercial powerhouses are transforming the sports economy. Globally, more women are shifting from solitary fitness routines toward empowering, community-based sports participation. 3) Longevity Expands in New Directions Longevity is moving beyond clinics and resorts into everyday life. A new category of “longevity residences” is emerging within wellness real estate, integrating preventive medicine, advanced diagnostics, AI-enabled health tracking, and biohacking directly into residential environments. In beauty, the concept of “skin longevity” is replacing traditional anti-aging narratives. Innovations in regenerative science, biotech, AI-driven diagnostics, and advanced active ingredients are reframing skincare as a long-term strategy to maintain the skin’s function and overall health—positioning skin as both the body’s largest organ and a key indicator of systemic wellbeing. 4) Wellness Tackles Major Environmental and Human Crises As climate disasters, environmental pollution, and chronic stress become everyday realities, crisis response is becoming a new pillar of wellness. The trend “Ready Is the New Well” reframes disaster preparedness as a form of preventive health, where having an emergency plan becomes as essential as having a fitness routine. At the same time, microplastics—now detected in human blood, lungs, placentas, and even the brain—are emerging as a critical human health issue, pushing both public health and the wellness industry from awareness toward action. Additionally, neurowellness is rising as a major frontier. With modern digital life keeping nervous systems in a constant state of low-grade fight-or-flight, regulating the nervous system is becoming central to health. Solutions range from consumer neurotechnology and vagus nerve stimulation devices to somatic practices, breathwork, and touch therapies. The Top 10 Wellness Trends for 2026 According to GWS, the ten trends set to shape the global wellness landscape in 2026 are: 1. Women Get Their Own Lane in Longevity The longevity industry has long operated on a male-centric model, with research, diagnostics, and treatment protocols largely extrapolated from male biology. That paradigm is now shifting. Mounting scientific evidence shows that women age differently, with ovarian health functioning as a central regulator of systemic aging. The decline of ovarian function—particularly during menopause—has been linked to accelerated risks for conditions such as osteoporosis, dementia, immune disorders, and cardiovascular disease. In response, the next frontier in longevity science focuses on women’s healthspan, not just lifespan. Research into slowing ovarian aging—from stem cell therapies to interventions targeting ovarian fibrosis—is gaining momentum. The wellness industry is evolving accordingly, moving beyond menopause symptom management toward life-stage–specific longevity strategies. This includes ovarian reserve testing as a routine health metric, renewed interest in hormone replacement therapy as a longevity tool, and strength training reframed as essential—not optional—for women’s long-term vitality. Wellness resorts, longevity clinics, digital health platforms, and fitness brands are all adapting services to address women’s biological realities more precisely. 2. The Over-Optimization Backlash Health has never been more measurable—yet it has rarely felt so psychologically demanding. From sleep scores and glucose monitors to aging clocks and recovery metrics, self-tracking tools have turned wellness into a constant performance evaluation. While these technologies offer valuable insight, therapists and clinicians increasingly warn of “data fatigue,” anxiety, and decision paralysis caused by the pressure to continuously optimize. The over-optimization backlash represents a cultural pivot away from relentless self-surveillance and toward nervous-system safety, emotional wellbeing, and pleasure. Wellness spaces are emphasizing rituals over results and experience over metrics. Social saunas, low-stimulation retreats, pleasure-forward nutrition, and somatic release classes are expanding globally. Even major athletic brands are shifting marketing language from performance and intensity toward softness, presence, and joy. Technology itself is adapting, with a rise in “quiet tech” that regulates the body in the background without constant dashboards or alerts. 3. The Rise of Neurowellness Neurowellness is moving from niche to mainstream as consumers recognize that many chronic health issues stem from nervous system dysregulation, not lack of discipline. Persistent stress keeps the body in a low-grade fight-or-flight state, contributing to poor sleep, inflammation, hormone disruption, anxiety, and burnout. Sleep tracking first exposed this issue at scale, but solutions are now expanding. “Hard-care” neurowellness includes consumer neurotechnology such as vagus nerve stimulation devices, EEG-guided sleep systems, and at-home neuromodulation tools. Clinical neurofeedback platforms are also becoming more accessible. At the same time, “soft-care” modalities—breathwork, touch therapy, yoga, Feldenkrais, and somatic practices—are increasingly recognized as evidence-based nervous system interventions. As brain–body research advances, neurowellness is spreading into mental healthcare, hospitality, fitness studios, and real estate, making nervous system regulation an integrated feature of everyday environments. 4. Fragrance Layering Fragrance is evolving from a luxury accessory into a form of personal expression and emotional regulation. Fragrance layering—the practice of combining multiple scents to create a unique signature—is reviving ancient scent traditions while embracing modern identity culture. Driven largely by Gen Z and Millennials, layering is flourishing on social platforms and in niche fragrance communities. Consumers are building “fragrance wardrobes,” experimenting with mood-shifting scent combinations, and attending layering workshops. The trend extends beyond the body into environments, where evolving scent profiles are used to influence mood and ritual. Smart fragrance technology and AI tools are enabling dynamic scent changes throughout the day, transforming fragrance into an interactive, personalized wellness tool rather than a static product. 5. Ready Is the New Well As climate disasters and extreme weather events become more frequent, preparedness is emerging as a new dimension of preventative wellness. “Ready Is the New Well” reframes emergency readiness as part of holistic resilience—where mental health, physical strength, and community interdependence converge. Wellness businesses are beginning to incorporate preparedness into their offerings. Fitness centers may double as emergency shelters, retreats may include resilience training, and demand is growing for disaster-resilient architecture. The wellness industry is also positioned to support the psychological impact of crisis—helping people manage chronic fear while also processing trauma from events already experienced. Practical readiness, once seen as survivalist or fringe, is entering the mainstream wellness conversation. 6. Skin Longevity Redefines Beauty The beauty industry is shifting from anti-aging to skin longevity, a science-driven approach focused on maintaining the skin’s function and resilience over time. Skin is increasingly understood as both the body’s largest organ and a visible indicator of systemic health. This movement is fueled by biotech innovation, AI-powered skin diagnostics, and new regenerative ingredients that target cellular repair and long-term tissue health. Rather than reversing visible signs of age, the goal is to extend the skin’s optimal performance across decades. The concept is expanding to include scalp and hair longevity, emphasizing follicle health and regenerative therapies. This reframing aligns beauty more closely with preventative healthcare and longevity science. 7. The Festivalization of Wellness Wellness is becoming more social, expressive, and immersive through large-scale, festival-like gatherings. These events respond to widespread loneliness, digital fatigue, and economic stress by offering collective joy, emotional release, and shared identity. Wellness raves, sober dance events, multi-day retreats, and hybrid music-wellness festivals are growing worldwide. Movement, sauna rituals, creative workshops, and somatic practices are woven into communal experiences that prioritize participation over perfection. Luxury resorts and major festival brands alike are incorporating wellness programming, while grassroots events transform dance floors into spaces for catharsis and connection. The result is a cultural shift where wellness becomes a shared, emotionally rich experience rather than a solitary pursuit. 8. Women and Sports: The Revolution Continues Women’s sports are experiencing a structural transformation, not just a moment of visibility. New professional leagues are launching, media coverage is expanding, and global audiences for women’s competitions are reaching record levels. Female athletes are also becoming influential entrepreneurs and cultural leaders, building brands in fashion, beauty, and wellness. At the grassroots level, more women are joining leagues, strength training, and choosing performance over aesthetics. Women-only gyms and sports communities are expanding worldwide. This movement is reshaping not just athletics but broader definitions of strength, leadership, and representation across the wellness economy. 9. Tackling Microplastics as a Human Health Issue Microplastics have moved from an environmental concern to a direct human health issue. These particles are now being detected in human blood, lungs, placentas, and brain tissue. Exposure occurs through food, water, air, clothing fibers, and consumer products. Early research links microplastics to inflammation, endocrine disruption, cardiovascular risks, and potential neurological effects. As evidence grows, the wellness and medical sectors are beginning to address the issue more actively. Innovations include plastic-free consumer goods, filtration systems, and clinical approaches aimed at reducing body burden. Microplastic exposure may soon become a routinely monitored health marker, influencing design decisions across architecture, fashion, food systems, and healthcare. 10. Longevity Residences Longevity is entering the built environment through a new category of wellness real estate: longevity residences. These homes and communities are designed to actively support long-term health through integrated medical and technological systems. Features may include on-site diagnostics, AI-driven health monitoring, circadian lighting, air and water optimization, and access to preventive medicine and concierge healthcare. Unlike traditional wellness real estate, which focuses on amenities, longevity residences aim to remove friction from healthy living and embed health optimization into daily life. As populations age and investment in longevity science grows, the home itself is becoming a central platform for extending healthspan. The Future of Wellness report is the only trends forecast based on insights from hundreds of global health and wellness experts who gather annually at the Global Wellness Summit. Each trend includes detailed sub-trends, scientific context, and examples of companies pioneering these emerging directions. The full 2026 Future of Wellness Trends report is available on the official Global Wellness Summit website.
    • In English
    • Global News
    2026-01-28
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