The programme
The South Korea creator programme
Explera hosts creators in South Korea from 150,000 followers on their primary channel, and the follower count sets the tier. Every applicant must be 18 or over and own a blog or website. We verify reach, engagement and audience before confirming anything. Bought followers, engagement pods or undisclosed past sponsorships end the conversation.
| Tier | Followers (primary channel) | Hotel | Transfers | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotlight | Under 150k followers | None | None | Normally one activity or tour |
| Rising | 150k–249k followers | 1 night · 3-star or equivalent · daily breakfast | Return airport, private licensed vehicle | One sightseeing visit, activity or tour |
| Established | 250k–499k followers | 2 nights · 4-star or equivalent · daily breakfast | Return airport, private licensed vehicle | Tours, sightseeing or an activity every day |
| Signature | 500k–1M followers | 4 nights · 4-star or equivalent · breakfast | Return airport, private licensed vehicle | Tours, sightseeing or an activity every day |
| Authority | 1M–5M followers | 5 nights · 5-star or equivalent · breakfast | Return airport, private licensed vehicle | Tours, sightseeing or an activity every day |
| Bespoke | Over 5M followers | Built individually | Built individually | Built individually |
150k–249k followers
Rising
- Hotel
- 1 night · 3-star or equivalent · daily breakfast
- Transfers
- Return airport, private licensed vehicle
- Activities
- One sightseeing visit, activity or tour
Your pick from our catalogue, matched to the niche your audience actually follows you for.
250k–499k followers
Established
- Hotel
- 2 nights · 4-star or equivalent · daily breakfast
- Transfers
- Return airport, private licensed vehicle
- Activities
- Tours, sightseeing or an activity every day
Not a single outing — a programme built around what your channel is known for.
500k–1M followers
Signature
- Hotel
- 4 nights · 4-star or equivalent · breakfast
- Transfers
- Return airport, private licensed vehicle
- Activities
- Tours, sightseeing or an activity every day
Enough time to move between destinations rather than shoot one base, so the trip carries a real narrative.
1M–5M followers
Authority
- Hotel
- 5 nights · 5-star or equivalent · breakfast
- Transfers
- Return airport, private licensed vehicle
- Activities
- Tours, sightseeing or an activity every day
Island days, cultural itineraries, venue sessions — planned around the destinations and the content your audience comes to you for.
Spotlight · Under 150k followers. We still reply — and still consider a single activity or tour.
Bespoke · Over 5M followers. Above five million, we build the trip with you — including multi-destination trips across Asia.
How many followers do I need?
Hosted tiers start at 150,000 followers on your primary channel: Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or an equivalent blog audience. The number decides the tier. Korean hotel classes differ from other star systems, so hotel levels are described as "or equivalent".
- Spotlight (under 150k, case by case): no hotel or transfers; normally one activity or tour.
- Rising (150k–249k): 1 night, 3-star or equivalent, daily breakfast; return airport transfer in a private licensed vehicle; one sightseeing visit, activity or tour.
- Established (250k–499k): 2 nights, 4-star or equivalent, daily breakfast; return airport transfer; tours, sightseeing or an activity every day.
- Signature (500k–1M): 4 nights, 4-star or equivalent, breakfast; return airport transfer; tours, sightseeing or an activity every day.
- Authority (1M–5M): 5 nights, 5-star or equivalent, breakfast; return airport transfer; tours, sightseeing or an activity every day.
- Bespoke (over 5M): built individually, including multi-destination trips across Asia.
Who qualifies?
- You are 18 or over.
- You have a primary channel with an audience you built yourself.
- You own a blog or website, as well as your social channel. This applies to every applicant, Spotlight included.
- You can travel on your own flights, with your own valid travel insurance and any visa or K-ETA your passport needs.
What do you check?
Before anything is confirmed we look at reach, engagement quality, audience geography, niche fit and content quality. We also confirm that your blog or website is live and belongs to you.
What ends an application straight away?
- Bought followers or engagement.
- Engagement pods.
- Past sponsorships that were not disclosed to your audience.
What about Spotlight and Bespoke?
Under 150k we still reply, and we still consider a single activity or tour, such as a Gwangjang Market evening or a palace morning in hanbok, without hotel or transfers. Above five million followers we build the trip with you, and it can combine Korea with Thailand, Japan or Indonesia.
Is there a limit on how many creators you host?
Yes. We run a limited number of collaborations each month in Korea, and demand follows the seasons: cherry blossom in spring and autumn foliage fill up first. Apply early for those windows.
Can I get a letter showing the value of my hosting?
Yes. On request we issue a value-of-hospitality letter for your own records. It is not tax advice, and we do not advise on how it should be treated.