South Korean theme park with five hotels and 18-hole golf course gets go-ahead

– Chung Yong-jin
A long-proposed US$3.8bn (€3.4bn, £2.9bn) theme park at Hwaseong, 45km (30mi) from South Korea's capital Seoul, looks set to go ahead after the country's finance minister pledged the government's support.
To be built by Shinsegae Property Consortium, the park will feature five hotels, an 18-hole golf course and three shopping malls.
Reports suggest that huge Korean pop music (K-pop) and natural history areas will act as the centrepieces of the theme park. K-pop has gained massive traction around the world in recent years.
The 420ha (1,038ac) park will be Asia's second-largest theme park after Disneyland in Shanghai.
Speaking in the Korea IT Times, Shinsegae Group vice-chair, Chung Yong-jin, said the intention was to create a theme park unlike anything else in the world.
"We will not simply develop a theme park, but make it a project that can create synergy effects by combining world-class accommodation, resorts, commercial facilities, golf course and residential complexes," he said.
"We will introduce high-tech technologies such as smart city, self-driving, AI and VR all over the complex to become a future multi-tourism cluster where fourth industrial technologies are practically implemented."
Previous attempts to kickstart the project going back to 2007, including one to create a Universal Studio park, have fallen by the wayside. Shinsegae Property was selected as preferred bidder in February 2019.
Construction is due to begin in 2021, with an initial opening of 2026 and full opening in 2031.
theme park Hwaseong South Korea Seoul Shinsegae Property Consortium K-pop Disneyland Hong Nam-ki Chung Yong-jin

Lagula Arquitectes designs new wellness centre for PGA Catalunya golf resort in Spain

Christian Lachel appointed chief creative officer at BRC Imagination Arts

Work completed on iconic M+ museum designed by Herzog & de Meuron’s in Hong Kong

Alta Capital Real Estate launches new fund targeting hospitality developments focused on sustainability and wellness

Langham to open beachfront hotel and TCM spa inside Chad Oppenheim's glimmering crystalline towers

Sordo Madaleno and Alejandro Escudero create Sha Wellness Clinic and residences in Mexico

'Oscars Museum' to host programme of virtual events ahead of September 2021 opening

Kerzner unveils new fitness-focused hospitality brand dedicated to health and wellbeing

Design Museum Everywhere launches diversity training programme

Snøhetta reveals reinvented Kon-Tiki Museum – due to open in 2025

Bjarke Ingels-designed Oakland baseball stadium a step closer

London's Battersea Power Station prepares for major launch

Weiss/Manfredi and Reed Hilderbrand reveal US$250m redevelopment for Longwood Gardens, Philadelphia

Baca Architects submits scheme for floating eco-wellness resort

MVRDV reveal ambitious plans to create Marble Arch visitor attraction for London

Coventry's former IKEA building slated to become arts and cultural centre of international importance

World's first entirely wooden stadium approved for use by EFL

Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter and ASP Architecture create hidden nature retreat inspired by hygge and Nordic hospitality

Zaha Hadid’s Opus building houses spa designed by The Wellness

Meow Wolf creates mind-blowing Las Vegas attraction – Omega Mart

BRC selected to design new World Food Center – will explore sustainability and global food supply

Ritz-Carlton Reserve opens with luxury spa at Japanese alpine ski resort

Scott Brownrigg-designed Museum of Military Medicine in Cardiff given planning approval

Work starts on US$898m e-sports arena in Shanghai

Gyms added to the mix for new super-luxe retail roll-out

OMA designs Miami Beach's ReefLine – a seven mile-long underwater sculpture park

Ole Scheeren and Shigeru Ban team up to design art and cultural destination in Hangzhou

FIFA files criminal complaint over funding of €459m world football museum

ReardonSmith leads design of Heya – a hotel room concept offering personalisation for each guest
