People participate in an outdoor yoga class at Seoul Forest in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-hyun

During this year's Seoul Beauty Travel Week, people spent the weekend enjoying wellness-themed programs aimed at promoting relaxation and self-care.

The event, organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, ran from Monday to Sunday and engaged participants with its focus on discovering true beauty through immersive experiences in K-wellness.

On Saturday, people participated in the event at Seoul Forest, which included yoga, meditation and gardening as part of Seoul Beauty Travel Week.

Seong Yoo-jin, a 34-year-old office worker and regular yoga enthusiast, visited to participate in the outdoor yoga session, calling it a unique and memorable experience.

"It's a rare opportunity to do yoga outdoors, and having the sessions offered for free makes it even better," she said.

"It's also reassuring to see the city government taking an interest in residents' physical and mental well-being."

International tourists also showed an interest in the event.

"I think it's amazing. I've never seen an event like this in a major city, involving the community so actively," said Harry Bryce, a tourist from Scotland who visited Seoul Forest as part of his trip.

He noted that it was refreshing to see so many people enjoying the space peacefully.

"I think it's important and a good opportunity to spend time in parks like this, creating a nice balance within the city," he said.

Cho Geul-saim, a yoga instructor who participated in the event by teaching massage and stretching, praised the program for its enthusiastic attendees.

"People are genuinely engaged in the sessions, eager to fully enjoy and learn about wellness," Cho said. "I think there's a growing desire for relaxation, and the turnout here reflects that demand."

She added that events like this can help yoga and wellness become more popular, providing more opportunities for people to experience them.

A photo zone is set up near the main stage at Seoul Forest in Seoul's Seongsu District, where key events, including yoga and meditation sessions, took place, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-hyun

In addition to wellness programs, a variety of activities were held throughout the week in collaboration with local businesses in Seoul's Seongdong District. A total of 17 restaurants and cafes participated, offering cuisine under the theme of "refresh."

A fusion snack bar OFTT in Seongsu-dong prepared special menu items inspired by Seoul. The three featured dishes included Seoul Ramen — the first ramen brand created by a local government in Korea — alongside black bean sauce ramen and dumplings.

"We aimed to present 'bunsik,' Korean-style snacks or street food like ramen and tteokbokki, with a fusion twist, making it enjoyable for both Korean visitors and international tourists," said Seo Tae-won, CEO of OFTT.

Seo expressed disappointment that bunsik is not widely recognized globally. This inspired him to adopt the slogan of his restaurant, "Bunsik Change the World," with the goal of raising global awareness about the cuisine.

He also mentioned that about 20 percent of the visitors to his snack bar were foreigners, and he enjoyed explaining the menu items to them. OFTT also hosted a special event, offering to take photos of visitors with a digital camera.

"I think bunsik, like ramen and tteokbokki, represents everyday food that Koreans actually enjoy, so it plays a significant role when talking about K-food," Seo said.

"This event provides a great opportunity to showcase the versatility of bunsik, which can serve as both a snack and a meal."

AmorePacific, one of Korea's leading beauty brands, also participated in the event. At Amore Seongsu, a week-long potted plant exhibition by potted plant studio CEO Choi Moon-jeong was held, along with special programs to celebrate Seoul Beauty Travel Week.

"This event offers an opportunity to experience the region's unique charm firsthand, aligning with the growing trend of valuing experiences over material ownership," said Kim Young-hwan, director general of the Tourism and Sports Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Government.