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| Joohoney and I.M of Monsta X visit the Route of Mythic Landscape as part of promoting the Visit Korean Heritage Campaign. Courtesy of Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
K-pop group Monsta X unveiled "Korea Fantasia," a Korean heritage travelogue on JTBC, Sunday.
The six-member boy band, which consists of Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney and I.M, has been promoting the Visit Cultural Heritage Campaign 2020 since September.
In the documentary two Monsta X members visit one of the tour routes, tracing Korea's traditions and history.
"We realized that hallyu originated from Korea's rich cultural heritage while visiting the routes and filming this documentary. We will continue to promote Korean culture in and outside the country," Shownu of Monsta X said.
Joohoney and I.M visited the Route of Mythic Landscape, exploring unique landscapes and myths of Jeju Island. They followed the Jeju Island legend of Seolmundae Halmang, who is believed to have created the island, and visited Sanbang Mountain, oreums and Gimnyeongsagul Cave. They also experienced the life of "haenyeo," female free divers of Jeju who are inscribed on the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
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| Shownu and Kihyun of Monsta X visit the Route of Golden Era as part of promoting the Visit Korean Heritage Campaign. Courtesy of Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation |
Shownu and Kihyun visited the Route of Golden Era in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, known as the home of Korea's spiritual culture. At Hahoe Folk Village, the two members experienced Korea's traditional architecture and learned about Hahoe's maskdance plays, designated as Important Intangible Cultural Asset No. 69.
Minhyuk and Hyungwon took part in a templestay program at Seonam Temple in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, as part of the Route of Asceticism. The temple was one of the Korean mountain temples added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 2018. The two members experienced Buddhist customs and traditions such as "chamseon" (Zen meditation), Yebul (ceremonial service and chanting) and Balwoogongyang (monastic meal).
The Visit Korean Heritage Campaign 2020 promotes seven themed itineraries, each based in a different region.
The Route of Royalty features a handful of royal palaces and fortresses in Gyeonggi Province. The Route of Antiquity based in South Chungcheong Province centers on the relics of the BC 18-660 AD Baekje Kingdom.
The Route of Folk Music provides the rich intangible cultural heritage of music in North and South Jeolla Province including the Jindo National Gugak Center.
The Route of Golden Era explores Buddhist and Confucian relics in North Gyeongsang Province such as Bulguk Temple and Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju and Dosan Seowon and Hahoe Folk Village in Andong.
The Route of Mythic Landscape is based on Jeju Island, including unique geographical features such as Yongmeori Coast and Manjanggul Cave.
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| Minhyuk and Hyungwon of Monsta X visit the Route of Asceticism as part of promoting the Visit Korean Heritage Campaign. Courtesy of Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation |
The Route of Korean Confucian Academy and the Route of Asceticism trace two UNESCO World Heritage sites in Korea ― Seowon (neo-Confucian academies) and Buddhist mountain monasteries.
The travelogue is also available on the Visit Korean Heritage Campaign's YouTube channel.
Formed through the survival reality show "No.Mercy," the boy band debuted with the mini-album "Trespass" in 2015 and has been active in Korea and Japan as well as releasing a few English songs, expanding its international recognition. Earlier this month, Monsta X released its third studio album "Fatal Love."
