Hello. We are Realworld, a playable content platform. When we travel, we usually stay at hotels for accommodation. But what makes a good hotel? We often think of convenient location, clean rooms, and delicious breakfast. But is that all there is to it?
The criteria for choosing hotels are now changing. Even without traveling, we can take a break from daily life through what's called 'hotelcations.' And hotels that offer even more unique experiences have emerged. Let's take a look together.
Accommodation-Style Immersive HOTEL SHE
HOTEL SHE, located in Kyoto and Osaka, Japan, is quite special. It hosts immersive theater where the boundaries between audience and stage are blurred. The combination of accommodation and immersive theater may seem somewhat unconventional, but according to hotel officials, they conceived this accommodation-style theater based on the idea that hotels where various people's stories converge are much like theaters.
In HOTEL SHE's immersive theater, audiences can freely move around the hotel building, converse with characters played by actors, and experience the blurring of boundaries between fiction and reality. They become part of the story through various interactions with characters. They might be invited to secret rooms to hear stories or fulfill requests from the characters.
Particularly, dress codes for participants are sometimes specified depending on the production, and special menus and merchandise related to the works are also available. Thanks to these various elements that enhance immersion, audiences can become deeply absorbed in the story beyond just watching the performance. Moreover, with a maximum of only 30 participants per show, it promises to be an even more intimate and special experience.
While Japanese immersive theater works typically run for 60-90 minutes on average, HOTEL SHE's productions boast overwhelming duration of over 200 minutes. Furthermore, since they run for 2 days and 1 night, the immersive experience continues until checkout the next day. It truly feels like visiting a whole new world.
HOTEL SHE has presented over 10 immersive theater works so far. With satisfaction rates of 98% and some productions achieving over 75% return rates for subsequent performances, plus cumulative audiences of over 10,000 people, they seem to have successfully targeted the demographic seeking new experiences. A new work 'Moonlit Night' is scheduled to premiere in January 2025, and I'd really like to experience it firsthand.
Who's doing this in Korea? Realworld is!
Who could create experiential content enjoyed at accommodations in Korea? Yes, doesn't Realworld come to mind? 'Alice in Jeju Island' by 'Stay The Mong,' which operates a guesthouse in Jeju and is also a Realworld creator, was a great example. Guesthouse guests could play this emotional game while exploring every corner of the accommodation and creating special memories.
And while not in accommodation format, there was a case that showed the potential for K-accommodation-style immersive theater. In December 2024, Realworld operated content called 'Beyond the Boundaries of Dimensions' at Gangneung Ojuk Hanok Village, a traditional Korean house accommodation in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. Conducted in an actual hanok that matched the Eastern fantasy worldview, they provided free hanbok rental services to enhance immersion. Particularly, real actors appeared and interacted with participants, receiving positive responses.
Realworld, the leading force in Korea's experience industry, will continue to bring you fresh and exciting projects. Please keep watching. Thank you.