Published : Nov. 13, 2013 - 19:11
Kim Junsu. (Yonhap News)
Hallyu star Kim Junsu, also referred to as XIA Junsu, has reportedly invested approximately 12.9 billion won ($12 million) in his soon-to-be-opened, 80,000-square-foot family hotel on Jejudo Island.
Kim’s Jeju Toscana Family Hotel, which will be operated and managed by his father, is a large-scale resort-style hotel located in the Gangjeong-dong, Seogwipo area of the island and will include 65 guest rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, caf, spa, seminar room and other facilities.
Kim started the project in 2011 and the hotel is slated to officially open its doors to the public sometime in March. The hotel is expected to become a cultural hotspot in not only furthering the spread of K-pop and hallyu, but increasing the number of international tourists to Seogwipo and Jejudo Island as a whole.
As a current member of the boy band JYJ and former member of the popular K-pop idol group TVXQ, Kim has seen tremendous success in the Asian music market both as a part of JYJ as well as his solo music career. Due to his status as one of the nation’s most popular hallyu stars, guests to Kim’s hotel can experience the span of the Korean music industry as the entertainer stated he intends to host a number of K-pop star-filled events including autograph sessions, b-boy dance shows and even hosting shows for local Korean bands.
The idol star recently released his second Korean studio album titled “Incredible” in July, and the eponymous single marked Kim’s first ever English track in which he collaborated with the iconic American musician and music producer Quincy Jones.
By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)