K-pop has captivated global audiences through music, and K-food has won over international palates. Now, K-meditation is emerging as Korea's next cultural export, attracting people from around the world in search of inner peace and well-being. At the heart of this movement is Odaesan Meditation Village (OMV), nestled 700 meters above sea level near Woljeongsa Temple in Jinbu, PyeongChang County, Gangwon Province. Over the past eight years, OMV has established itself as one of Korea's leading destinations for meditation and mindfulness.
OMV, short for Odaesan Meditation Village, opened in July 2018 and celebrates its eighth anniversary this year. Built on approximately 99,170 square meters of land with a total floor area of 9,917 square meters, the complex offers 96 guestrooms, including single, twin, detached, and duplex accommodations.
Unlike conventional resorts, the guestrooms are intentionally designed without televisions or internet access. Instead, each room features a private meditation space crafted from Korean cypress wood, creating an environment designed to encourage digital detox and quiet reflection.
According to the Korean Buddhist Cultural Corps of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, 67% of participants who reserved the "Double Happiness" Temple Stay program in May were in their 20s and 30s, up sharply from 42% a year earlier. As interest in meditation continues to expand across generations and nationalities, OMV is increasingly recognized as one of the destinations leading Korea's emerging K-meditation movement.
The village features a traditional hanok meditation hall accommodating up to 80 participants, a natural vegetarian buffet, landscaped gardens, and forest walking trails. Guests are offered complimentary yoga and meditation sessions every morning and evening, while specialized programs include the team-building "It's Okay, Me" Healing Meditation and the three-day, two-night "Slowly, Slowly" Healing Meditation Retreat.
Participants in last year's healing programs gave an average satisfaction score of 4.91 out of 5, reflecting consistently positive visitor experiences.
Among the village's signature attractions is the Forest of Interdependence (Yeongi, 緣起), inspired by the Buddhist principle of Yeongi, which teaches that all beings and phenomena are interconnected. Covering nearly 10,000 pyeong (approximately 33,000 square meters), the expansive garden features pine and birch trees, wildflowers, and the clear waters of the Odaecheon Stream, creating a tranquil landscape where visitors can reconnect with nature and themselves.
Other attractions include the Garden of Enlightenment, inspired by the Buddhist philosophy of Hwaeom; the contemplative Garden of Wisdom; and the Wind Color Trail, a one-kilometer path winding through a red pine forest. Nearby, the Woljeongsa Fir Forest Trail and Seonjae-gil are widely regarded as two of Korea's finest walking meditation routes.
One participant in his 40s, who walked barefoot through the fir forest, said, "After walking alone for an hour or two without worrying about time, my mind naturally became calm."
Another visitor who joined a singing bowl meditation session said, "I had lived under constant stress from work, but here I was finally able to discover a truly peaceful version of myself."
OMV is the realization of the Odaesan Well-being Meditation Town project first envisioned by Monk Jeongnyeom in 2005, a vision that became reality thirteen years later.
Recalling those early days, Monk Jeongnyeom said:
"At the time, the idea was unfamiliar to many people. But I believed that by combining Odaesan's pristine natural environment with Korea's Buddhist meditation tradition, it could become a world-class center for healing. I envisioned not simply a place to rest, but an integrated healing community centered on meditation and spiritual practice, complemented by healthy food and wellness programs."
His vision was inspired by internationally renowned meditation communities such as Plum Village in France and Spirit Rock Meditation Center in the United States.
Since assuming office in 2004, Monk Jeongnyeom has served as abbot of Woljeongsa Temple for 22 years. Within Korean Buddhism, he is widely recognized for integrating contemplative practice with active leadership while maintaining the discipline of Zen practice alongside the responsibilities of temple administration. His long-standing commitment has become a defining characteristic of his leadership.
Today, Odaesan Meditation Village is attracting a growing number of international visitors as interest in meditation tourism continues to expand. Nearly two decades after planting the seeds of his vision, Monk Jeongnyeom is witnessing Odaesan Meditation Village emerge as one of the symbols of Korea's growing K-meditation movement, alongside the rising popularity of Temcance.
More information is available on the official Odaesan Meditation Village (OMV) website.
Korean version available here.
