Horror master Junji Ito turns Seoul's Lotte World into surreal nightmare

Fans of Japanese horror manga will have a chilling new reason to visit Lotte World this fall, as the iconic Seoul theme park prepares to transform its grounds into a surreal nightmare directly inspired by the macabre universe of legendary artist Junji Ito. Lotte World Adventure announced Friday that its autumn festival, titled “Invitation to Bizarre World,” will run from Sept. 19 through Nov. 15. Created in partnership with the official “Junji Ito Collection,” the event marks the very first time the artist’s eerie, psychological universe has been recreated inside a full-scale amusement park. For decades, Junji Ito has captivated global audiences with his unsettling body horror, grotesque imagery, and deeply uncomfortable narratives. His influence has sparked anime adaptations, live-action films, and art exhibitions worldwide. Now, the Seoul theme park is bringing that signature aesthetic off the page. The festival imagines a dimensional door opening within Lotte World, blurring the lines between reality and dark fantasy as strange phenomena sweep through the park. Unforgettabl