올해는 해외여행 대신 캠핑 ...'슬기로운 캠핑생활' 즐기는 홈핑족 늘어

This summer, the coronavirus pandemic has all but canceled vacation for many families.
Looking for other options, some have taken up camping but with a twist.
They're pitching their tents at home... in their apartments in the city.
Our Min Suk-hyen reports.

"From the outside, this home seems no different from any other, but once you walk in, it feels like a camp site."

One father of two ... who has been into camping for 11 years, has filled his living room with camping gear... just as he would at any camp site.
His extensive collection of lanterns and camping cookware are placed on one side of the room...while the other side hosts a table with a built-in gas stove.

Following a recent spike in COVID-19 cases and a two-month-long monsoon season in the country, 'at-home camping' has become a new trend.
And with tougher social distancing measures now in place, the decision was made to move the camp site indoors.

"There's a camp site just five minutes away from here and I used to go there about two times a month. But it has been closed since March and I can't camp there anymore. That's why I decided to start 'home-camping' instead."

But they are not alone in this sweeping trend.
Instead of overseas vacations... families are choosing to give their children a safe camping experience… with the comforts of home.
With folding chairs, a parasol and lights ... one family took the initiative to bring the outdoors in.

They planned a trip early this year, but were forced to call it off due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Since then, camping at home has become their weekend getaway.
But it hasn't been easy.

"It's really hard to get equipment you want. Prices have almost doubled and demand is high even for used camping gear. It really feels that camping is popular these days."

South Korea's retailer Gmarket says sales of camping tents in the first six months of 2020 surged 57 percent on-year … while tables and chairs rose by 44 percent and 23 percent, respectively.
Other e-commerce retailers are also seeing sales of camping gear jump … as many more people are splurging on camping accessories … to lift their spirits in the midst of a global pandemic.
Min Suk-hyen, Arirang News.