Shinsegae Department Store said Wednesday it held "Shinsegae Misik Yechan," a premium temple stay program designed for its top-tier customers.
The two-day event began on the 30th of this month at Baekyangsa Temple in Jangseong, South Jeolla Province, and was designed to offer guests a chance to experience Korean cuisine and relaxation alongside Monk Jeong-kwan, a renowned master of Korean temple food. Monk Jeong-kwan is widely credited with introducing the value of Korean temple cuisine to the world following her appearance on the documentary "Chef's Table."
Shinsegae Department Store planned the event as premium curated content combining gastronomy, rest and temple culture, rather than a simple lodging-based temple stay. In partnership with Via Shinsegae, the entire itinerary — from transportation and accommodations to meals and program operations — was arranged privately, with services such as dedicated vehicle transfers, exclusive venue rental and two-person room arrangements designed to enhance customer convenience.
On the first day, guests took part in a tea conversation with the chief monk at Uhwaru Pavilion. Participants shared stories about spiritual practice and life over tea and refreshments, followed by a bell-ringing experience, 108 prostrations and a prayer bead-making program. A temple cuisine course offering a modern reinterpretation of baru gongyang, the traditional monastic meal, was also served in a dedicated dining space.
"This 'Shinsegae Misik Yechan' is premium content designed to allow guests to experience Korean traditional culture, temple cuisine and relaxation in depth in a way that is unique to Shinsegae Department Store," said Lee Sung-hwan, executive director in charge of sales strategy at Shinsegae Department Store. "We will continue to strengthen the loyalty of our top-tier customers through content tailored to new lifestyles."
