by Travie
Jeju Island's newest theme parks offer cat-themed adventures and baseball campaigns. Discover Dolcori Forest and 9.81 Park's KBO experience now.
Jeju Island is entering a new era of experiential travel, with two standout attractions drawing visitors looking for hands-on adventures rather than passive sightseeing. A cat-themed fantasy park and a baseball-meets-racing campaign are both open now, reflecting a growing trend of experience-driven tourism across South Korea.
ⓒsmilegateDolcori Forest: A Cat Village Built from Jeju Legend
Game company Smilegate opened Dolcori Forest (돌코리숲) on April 30 in Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo City, on Jeju's southern coast. The park spans approximately 59,500 square meters on the former site of a miniature theme park. Its concept draws from a Jeju folk legend featuring a stone cat called Dolcori, imagined as a village decorated by cats who have traveled the world.
ⓒsmilegateVisitors enter through a bakery cafe whose exterior is styled with cat tail and silhouette motifs. Inside, the Dolcori Village zone lets guests follow five cat characters through shadow play and stamp activities. The outdoor Dolcori Garden connects to the former miniature park's walking paths, where scaled-down replicas of famous global landmarks sit alongside works by Korean and international artists. A picnic zone and a small library rest beneath 30-year-old trees. The park applies the same character-driven storytelling Smilegate uses in its video games, now translated into a physical space.
9.81 Park: Cheer Loud, Race Fast, Help Your Team Win
At 9.81 Park in Aewol, Jeju, a campaign called "My Dream Is KBO 981 League Cheer Captain" runs through December 31. The park has partnered with KBO, South Korea's professional baseball league. Visitors who purchase a dedicated ticket are assigned to one of ten KBO teams. Their performance in park activities — including racing results and the decibel level of their cheers before a race — directly influences their team's campaign win rate. A remote participation option via app also allows baseball fans anywhere in South Korea to join from their local stadium. The park reports a growing number of visitors arriving in team uniforms.
ⓒ9.81 Park
Why This Matters for International Travelers
Beyond these two parks, the experience economy is reshaping entertainment across Korea. Photo booth brand Photoism is releasing KBO mascot and player-themed frames throughout the season, while CGV cinemas are screening live games and permitting in-theater cheering — including all-star and postseason matches.
For international visitors, Jeju's new wave of themed attractions offers a compelling reason to look beyond the island's natural scenery. Whether you are a K-pop fan curious about Korean baseball culture or simply seeking something interactive and locally rooted, Jeju's experiential parks deliver an unexpectedly playful side of the island.
Reference
Written by Song Mi-joo
Provided by Travie
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