WeHome, a leading shared accommodation platform in Korea, has partnered with Busan Metropolitan City and the Busan Council of Civic Organizations to launch 'K-POPSTAY Busan Seagull Nest.' This special homestay project aims to address accommodation challenges for global ARMY (BTS fans) visiting Busan for upcoming concerts, offering them an immersive cultural exchange experience by opening local residents' homes.
Launching the 'Busan Seagull Nest' Project for Global ARMY
WeHome, in collaboration with Busan Metropolitan City and the Busan Council of Civic Organizations, is introducing the 'Busan Seagull Nest' project as part of its global lifestyle sharing program, 'K-POPSTAY BUSAN.' This citizen-led shared accommodation initiative seeks to connect global ARMY members, who will visit Busan for the BTS concert, with local Busan residents.
With hundreds of thousands of BTS fans anticipated to visit Busan, the city has historically faced issues of accommodation shortages and soaring hotel prices during large-scale concerts and international events. To address this, Busan City, local civic organizations, and WeHome have collaborated to introduce an innovative accommodation model based on voluntary citizen participation. K-POPSTAY is designed to allow global fans to stay with local residents and experience authentic Korean daily life, fostering meaningful cultural exchange beyond conventional tourism.
A Shared Economy Model Connecting Local Community and Visitors
'Busan Seagull Nest' is a homestay program where Busan citizens voluntarily open their homes or spare rooms to international visitors. This initiative offers global fans an authentic local accommodation experience, often free of charge, while providing Busan citizens with the opportunity to meet and interact with visitors from around the world. The project is anticipated to serve as a cultural exchange platform, extending beyond mere lodging.
As the operating partner, WeHome is responsible for managing the dedicated K-POPSTAY BUSAN platform, facilitating host-guest matching, handling booking and payment systems, providing multilingual customer support, arranging liability insurance, and distributing welcome kits to participants. The platform will also implement comprehensive safety measures and customer support services to ensure a secure and comfortable experience for international guests. WeHome views the shared economy as a concept extending beyond just accommodation, believing it can solve societal problems by connecting underutilized resources with those who need them, thereby creating value for both local communities and travelers.
WeHome's Vision and the Expansion of K-Lifestyle
The 'Busan Seagull Nest' project exemplifies WeHome's vision to tackle recurring accommodation shortages and price surges during major events through community involvement and resource sharing. This initiative benefits Busan citizens by welcoming visitors, travelers by offering a safe and affordable way to experience Busan, and the local economy through increased tourism spending and international cultural exchange. WeHome's brand philosophy, 'Live Locally. Stay Safely,' aims to combine genuine local living experiences with secure, trustworthy shared accommodation, and 'Busan Seagull Nest' serves as a clear demonstration of this vision.
WeHome is notably the only government-approved shared accommodation platform in Korea, having received regulatory approval after six years under the ICT regulatory sandbox program. This foundation has allowed WeHome to build a trustworthy and legal shared accommodation ecosystem. Jo San-gu, CEO of WeHome, stated, 'The shared economy ultimately solves real problems by connecting underutilized resources.' He emphasized that 'Busan Seagull Nest' is more than just an accommodation project; it represents a new shared economy model that addresses lodging difficulties through citizen participation while connecting global ARMY with Busan residents.
He further added, 'K-POPSTAY is designed for fans to experience the people, culture, and daily life of Korea, extending beyond just attending concerts.' Under its philosophy of 'Live Locally. Stay Safely,' WeHome is committed to continuously creating new opportunities for the Korean tourism industry through secure shared accommodation and K-lifestyle sharing experiences. Looking ahead, WeHome plans to expand its platform beyond lodging to encompass various K-lifestyle services, including transportation, shopping, and general tourism experiences.
