Changed Chuseok Scenes Due to COVID-19
Younger Generation Relieves Travel Thirst via SNS
Sharing Photos and Videos, Recalling Memories
Local Governments and Organizations Compete to Recommend
Becomes a Culture of Play to Comfort Each Other
[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] #Office worker Jeon Bora (31) posted a photo taken in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, on her SNS (social networking service) last weekend. In a situation where overseas travel is difficult due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the photo of Jeon, smiling brightly without wearing a mask, was tagged with the hashtag '#RanseonTravel' (virtual travel).
Recently, young people in their 20s and 30s are relieving their frustration of not being able to travel due to COVID-19 by sharing photos or videos of past trips online through 'RanseonTravel.' Jeon, who visited France and the UK a year ago, said, "I used to travel once or twice a year to relieve daily stress, but since I have been staying at home due to COVID-19, I recall memories by looking at photos from past trips," adding, "I think my SNS friends feel the same way, so I have been posting photos or videos of travel destinations recently. It's my only joy these days."
Recently, young people are quenching their 'travel thirst' caused by COVID-19 through RanseonTravel. Especially during the summer vacation season, with the resurgence of COVID-19 and recommendations by health authorities to refrain from visiting hometowns during the Lunar New Year holidays, travel restrictions were advised for the August-September holidays, making offline travel unlikely and increasing the number of 'Ranseon travelers.'
Many also reminisce about domestic travel as well as overseas trips. In particular, representative tourist spots such as beaches and cherry blossom paths, which were restricted this year, are frequently posted. University student Lee Jaeho (26) said, "I used to spend summers at Haeundae and Gyeongpodae every year, but this year I am staying home and sharing old photos with friends," adding, "I think I can travel once it is safe from the epidemic."
Local governments and organizations are also actively recommending RanseonTravel. On the 3rd, the Cultural Heritage Administration broadcasted live on YouTube the excavation process of the Silla gold crown from Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, a Silla historic site. The Cultural Heritage Administration’s YouTube channel has about 10,000 followers, but this live broadcast exceeded 70,000 cumulative views. Instead of offline visits that may pose infection risks, they promote local tourist sites online and encourage actual visits after the end of COVID-19.
Thus, RanseonTravel is establishing itself as another form of recreational culture in the COVID-19 era. Experts say this kind of recreational culture is a way to escape social stress caused by COVID-19. Professor Yoo Hongsik of the Department of Media Communication at Chung-Ang University said, "Stress caused by COVID-19 is worsening into 'COVID Blue,' and I hope that a recreational culture that comforts each other online can spread."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
