WAXIPEDIA

MADAME TUSSAUDS SEOUL

As this post is being composed there are twenty-three branches of the famous MADAME TUSSAUDS wax figure attractions around the world. Countries like the United Kingdom, United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Japan, and China (among others) can call them home, but South Korea - a prosperous country, with a population of 51.5 million people and visits from foreigners nearing 13.4 million (2018) - does not. But that is not for a lack of trying!

In the last seven years Merlin Entertainments has attempted to open not one, but TWO Madame Tussauds in South Korea. The first (in September 2012) in Busan and then again (in May 2015) in Seoul. Both operated as smaller "Exhibitions" to test the viability of the market. The fact that the Seoul venture, in particular, didn't successfully lead to a permanent attraction is, to me at least, shocking. 

Opening May 1, 2015, MADAME TUSSAUDS SEOUL had the perfect location in the heart of  LOTTE WORLD - the famous Seoul Theme Park/Mall/Hotel complex that draws over seven million people a year. What it lacked in size it more than made up for with pure unadulterated celebrity doppelganger interactive opportunities!

From Lady Gaga to George Clooney, Elvis Presley to Nichkhun, dozens of international and Korean personalities filed the five exhibition halls: HOLLYWOOD STARS, ACTIONS STARS, POP STARS, K-WAVE STARS and ICONS STARS.

Here is shared the (long removed) website for MADAME TUSSAUDS SEOUL. It gives but a small idea as to what this short-lived, multi-million dollar attraction was like...and what it possibly COULD have been. 

The "WORLD FAMOUS ATTRACTION FROM LONDON NEW IN SEOUL" is regrettably no more. 

Dedicated to preserving the history of Wax Arts, and the unique stories of all those involved in its development, WAXIPEDIA strives to become the ultimate source of information on the subject of wax museums.  Anyone interested in donating items for preservation are invited to contact me at timothywrandall@gmail.com. Donated items will be cataloged, digitally scanned, photographed, and restored.  All donated items will be credited to their specific donors and will be preserved and made available to future generations of artists, designers, historians and fans.