Welcome to South Korea's "Purple Islands"

Elderly women dressed in purple prune lavender fields, the roofs of the houses they live in are different shades of violet as are the roads and bridges.

Inspired by the native balloon flower, residents of the Banwol and Bakji Islands, known as the 'Purple Islands', in southwest Korea have transformed their towns into a tourist attraction.

"Old people like us have a secluded life here, since all the young people left the town," said villager Shin Deok-im, 79, who has lived on Bakji island for more than 60 years. "I'm glad to see young people and kids visiting to see our town. They are all like my grandchildren."

Some have embraced the concept with gusto.

The tiny, tranquil islands have a little over a hundred residents and were picked for a tourism project supported by the county and provincial governments.

Since 2015, Shinan county has invested 4.8 billion won ($4.25 million) to turn the islands purple, including painting more than 28,000 square metres of roofs, lilac. Restaurants on the islands even offer purple rice and serve food on purple plates.

The campaign has drawn over 487,000 people since its official start in 2019, according to the county office.

Visitors who adhere to the theme colour are allowed free entry to the islands and can can walk on the three purple footbridges connecting the two islands to the larger one nearby. If they get tired, they can take a break on benches with the slogan "I purple you" made popular by K-pop band BTS' member Kim Tae-hyung, more commonly known as V, which means 'I trust, love and support you', before heading back to town to admire the purple sunset and purple lights that illuminate the night.