Almaty is once again in the South Korean spotlight. On Aug. 14, MBC aired an episode of the popular reality show «I Live Alone.» The city’s appearance on the show could attract new tourists and spark greater interest in Almaty as a travel destination. Kursiv LifeStyle takes a look at how a South Korean TV star explored some of the city’s iconic sights.
According to the Almaty Mayor’s Office press service, the episode featured the TV host and comedian Jun Hyun-moo. He arrived at Almaty International Airport and went on to visit Kok-Tobe, the Green Bazaar and Arbat. He also traveled to Lake Kaindy.
«‘I Live Alone’ is one of South Korea’s popular entertainment shows, attracting an audience of millions. The episode featuring Jun Hyun-moo is also drawing interest thanks to the host’s popularity, with more than 800,000 users following his social media accounts,» the statement read.
The episode offered a vibrant look at the city, Kazakh culture and its stunning landscapes.
After airing on television, the episode was uploaded to MBC’s official YouTube channel, where viewers shared their impressions of the city and the places featured in the episode.
«In 2025, more than 23,000 tourists from this country visited Almaty. At the same time, the city is of interest not only to Korean travelers but also to local media as a platform for producing international content. Previously, the city hosted a special episode of the popular SBS variety show ‘My Little Old Boy’ and now Almaty has appeared on MBC’s ‘I Live Alone.’ Thus, the city is increasingly attracting the attention of Korean audiences as a tourist destination and a platform for international media projects,» the mayor’s office said.
Previously, Kursiv LifeStyle reported that 31,000 people attended the Almaty concert by Ye (Kanye West), including around 7,700 tourists from more than 50 countries and territories. Organizers estimated the economic impact of the tourism generated by the event at around 5 billion tenge (approximately $11 million).
