Smilegate said on the 30th that it opened Dolkori Forest, an experiential theme park, in Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo, Jeju.
Dolkori Forest is a content park built with the concept of "a village decorated by cats traveling around the world." It offers exhibitions, garden walks, appreciation of artworks, and food and beverage experiences. It was created by using an idle site of about 18,000 pyeong that used to be the "Miniature Theme Park."
A Smilegate official said, "The core experience of Dolkori Forest is 'the comfort and stay of cats,'" adding, "By using Jeju's nature and cats as mediums for comfort and rest, the goal is to offer modern people emotional peace."
The name "Dolkori Forest" was created by adding the village-place suffix "-ri" to "Dolkonaengi (stone cat)," a Jeju folktale motif. Based on the traditional theme of Jeju's guardian deity, it was planned to feel like an actually existing village.
In the indoor exhibition hall, Dolkori Village, visitors are guided to follow the traces of five cats—Doldol, Coco, Momo, Chichi, and Shasha—and in the adjoining outdoor garden, Dolkori Garden, they can stroll and appreciate works by domestic and overseas artists themed on cats. Under a 30-year-old large tree, a picnic zone and a small library have been set up.
Lee Jeong-jun, head of Smilegate Cat Park Museum, said, "It is now time to realize the creative imagination we have built through games in real spaces," adding, "We will extend experiences from digital to offline spaces to deliver a differentiated new entertainment experience."