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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Young Taek] Everland, South Korea’s largest theme park operated by Samsung C&T, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a sweeping transformation that blends entertainment, nature, and immersive storytelling.
Originally opened in 1976 as Yongin Farmland, the park has evolved far beyond a traditional amusement park into what can best be described as a “living stage of art” and a “sanctuary of life,” drawing visitors into a deeply emotional and sensory experience.
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Photo = Alpha Biz |
A New Chapter in Panda World: Rui and Hui Bao Take Center Stage
Following the departure of fan-favorite panda Fu Bao, Everland’s Panda World has quickly regained excitement with its newest stars—twin pandas Rui Bao and Hui Bao.
The playful cubs, often seen hugging bamboo and tumbling around, have become instant crowd favorites, offering a sense of comfort and joy to visitors.
Their caretaker, Song Young-kwan, noted that the twins are expected to return to China next July, making each moment with them especially meaningful for guests.
Nearby, visitors can also enjoy sightings of the laid-back father panda Le Bao, as well as charming red pandas and golden monkeys.
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Photo = Alpha Biz |
Reimagining Wildlife: ‘Safari World The Wild’
One of Everland’s most notable upgrades this year is its renewed focus on animal welfare.
The newly redesigned “Safari World The Wild” prioritizes natural animal behavior over human viewing convenience. Guests ride eco-friendly electric buses through habitats carefully crafted to reflect the animals’ native environments.
Lions roam open savanna-like spaces with elevated rocks, tigers inhabit lush forest zones with waterfalls and ponds, and bears explore Siberian-style terrain designed for digging and swimming.
These environments incorporate “enrichment” techniques—such as hidden food and interactive structures—to encourage instinctive behaviors, offering visitors a more authentic glimpse into wildlife.
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Photo = Alpha Biz |
A Spectacle in the Sky: ‘Wings of Memory’
At the Grand Stage, a 1,000-seat venue, audiences are captivated by “Wings of Memory,” a large-scale production created in collaboration with Canada’s renowned circus troupe Cirque Éloize.
The 30-minute performance combines aerial acrobatics, fire shows, and theatrical storytelling, following the journey of a young girl named El.
With its dynamic choreography and artistic direction, the show delivers a dreamlike experience that leaves audiences in awe.
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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
A Place Where Memories Are Made
“Samsung builds semiconductor memory—but Everland plants memories in people’s minds,” an Everland official remarked.
Over the past five decades, the park has welcomed generations of visitors—averaging more than five visits per person nationwide—becoming a repository of shared experiences and emotional connections.
With over 500,000 visitors already attending its spring tulip festival, Everland’s enduring appeal lies not just in its attractions, but in the memories created with loved ones.
As spring 2026 unfolds with vibrant blooms and dazzling performances, Everland invites visitors to write a new chapter in their own life stories—one filled with elegance, excitement, and timeless magic.
Alphabiz 김영택 기자(sitory0103@alphabiz.co.kr)
