Anmyeondo in Taean, South Chungcheong, will turn into a "space for healing" starting on the 25th. A hands-on expo where visitors can heal body and mind by seeing, hearing, and touching a variety of horticultural resources, including flowers, fruits, and vegetables, will be held here.
The Taean International Horticultural Therapy Expo Organizing Committee said on the 15th that it will hold the expo for one month from Apr. 25 to May 24 at the Kkotji Coastal Park area on Anmyeondo in Taean County. South Chungcheong Province and Taean County will co-host.
The venue has been created as eight exhibition and experience spaces: ◇ special hall ◇ international exchange hall ◇ industry hall ◇ South Chungcheong smart agriculture hall ◇ healing agriculture hall ◇ healing garden ◇ AI harmony garden ◇ play ground. An organizing committee official said, "From the design stage of the venue, we organically consolidation the forest, garden, and sea landscapes so that the very process of visitors moving through the spaces becomes healing."
The special hall is arranged as an immersive space to experience horticultural therapy with all five senses. In the eight themed gardens, including the welcome garden and the fragrance garden, visitors can take part in experiences that engage the senses. In the healing garden, personalized music is provided based on AI emotion measurements. Visitors can also see gardens of the world composed by overseas artists from the United Kingdom, Latin America, China, and more.
In the international exchange hall, indoor and outdoor gardens inspired by overseas fairy tales unfold. The industry hall and the South Chungcheong smart agriculture hall showcase Korea's advanced horticultural technologies.
On opening day, performances by popular singers are also scheduled. At 6 p.m. on the 25th, Lee Chan-won, along with Kim Yong-bin, Gummy, and Dynamic Duo, will take the stage at the special outdoor stage in the expo parking lot. At 2 p.m. on the 28th, a public recording of KBS' "National Singing Contest" Taean County edition will take place around Kkotji Beach, featuring celebratory performances by Kim Yeon-ja, Bae Il-ho, Kang Moon-kyung, Kim So-yu, Na Ye-won, and others.
Admission is 15,000 won for adults, 12,000 won for teenagers (ages 13–18), and 9,000 won for children (ages 3–12). A 2,000 won discount applies for advance purchases.
Taean County will also run a "pet-friendly lodging discount promotion" during the event for tourists visiting with companion animals. Those who use pet-friendly accommodations or campgrounds in the area can receive discounts of up to 30,000 won (15,000 won for camping facilities). Discount coupons will be issued on the "NOL" and "Campit" apps starting on the 22nd. There are about 200 pet-friendly accommodations and camping facilities in the Taean area.
Oh Jin-gi, secretary-general of the organizing committee, said, "What sets this expo apart is its differentiated composition across all areas, from exhibitions and experiences to performances," adding, "We will make it an event where visitors can feel true healing through the process of direct participation."