Everland to open 'Blood City Zero' immersive horror experience Saturday

Everland is set to launch an immersive horror experience in which visitors become survivors of a zombie-infested city and carry out escape missions.

Samsung C&T's resort division announced Monday that Everland will run "Blood City Zero: Gate of Hell," the flagship horror themed zone of its autumn festival, for 72 days from Saturday through Nov. 22.

This year's Blood City was developed in collaboration with director Lee Seok-hoon, known for the films "The Pirates" and "Confidential Assignment 2," to deliver a cinematic horror experience that makes visitors feel as though they have stepped inside a movie. First launched in 2017, Blood City marks its 10th year this year and has drawn a cumulative total of more than 10 million visitors.

Everland is introducing what it describes as Korea's first large-scale outdoor immersive live horror performance. The production eliminates the traditional boundary between stage and audience, turning the entire Blood City zone into a performance space.

Visitors can seek out zombie characters and themed zones of their choosing and watch performances from any angle in a full 360 degrees, while also being assigned missions and roles that drive the story forward.

The performance is set against a scenario in which visitors become members of "White Z," a squad fighting the zombie horde known as "Dark X." Five themed zones — Gate of Hell, Out-of-Control Laboratory, Circus of Madness, Bloodstained Schoolyard and Platform of Doom — are available for guests to explore freely.

Completing missions in each zone earns a verification stamp on a member's card. Visitors who finish all missions receive priority boarding privileges for Monimorushy, styled as the "Platform of Doom" ride. The immersive performance runs daily from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is free for all Everland guests.

Horror-themed merchandise and food offerings have also been expanded. Thirty-eight new products have been released, including a skull hood cape and a horned cap, alongside themed menu items such as Dark Energy Black Chicken Curry Rice and Laboratory Potion drinks. A zombie costume room and makeup salon allow visitors to transform themselves into zombies.

Autumn programming for families has also been prepared. Starting Saturday, "Wild Savanna Expedition" will take visitors on a walk through Lost Valley for close-up encounters with 15 animal species, including giraffes, elephants and rhinoceroses. A "Smiley Pumpkin Parade" themed around pumpkins and skulls will also run daily throughout the festival period.

Four Seasons Garden will be transformed into a themed garden featuring autumn flowers and plants. A new band performance featuring animal characters from Ppuppa Town — including an alpaca and a capybara — is set to debut later this month.