


The star of the recent Everland fall festival is undoubtedly 'K-pop Demon Hunters' (hereafter 'Kedehun'), and as the world of 'Kedehun'—which started as a Netflix animation and even dominated the Billboard charts—has become a reality, visitors mainly from the MZ generation have flocked in like clouds, willingly enduring 'Open Run' and waiting for hours, creating a remarkable scene. The 'Kedehan Theme Zone' set up in Everland's Blood City area is designed so visitors can experience the unique world of K-pop idols fighting evil spirits, allowing visitors to experience it with all five senses, making them feel as if they are the protagonists of an animated film. Visitors dress up like the main character 'Huntrix' and eat the tteokbokki and kimbap sets from the anime , leaving photos as proof of it. Even on weekday afternoons, people usually have to wait at least 30 minutes, and on weekends or during peak hours, several hours are still waiting for hours, yet visitors never stop coming back. This is a clear example of how much the MZ generation values 'experiential consumption,' where they go beyond simply riding rides, directly participate in the worldview of content, create their own stories, and share them. Another pillar of the Kedehan syndrome is 'fan spirit' and 'scarcity, ' Limited edition goods available only in theme zones are reportedly selling out day after day. Not only character keyrings and hairpins, but even the 'embroidered god' worn by the protagonist sold out in an instant, prompting additional orders. This phenomenon is the result of precisely delving into the psychology of fans wanting to prove their online affection through offline 'ownership' and 'experience.' As one visitor said, "Even if I have to wait five hours, I want to have an experience that can only be done here and get goods I can buy," even the long and tedious wait is being seen as a 'process' that proves the depth of fan loyalty... ,,, each step!!??? or why is it called a pilgrimage rather than a pilgrimage???!!!
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