5 OTT-Inspired Vacation Spots That Are Trending In 2025
Here Are 5 Bucket-List Destinations For OTT Fans:
1. Thailand's Koh Samui: The White Lotus Season 3
The White Lotus is back with more chaos, sharper satire, and some serious eye-candy locations. Season 3 is set in Thailand, and while the show filmed in multiple locations, including Bangkok and Phuket, it's Koh Samui that's stealing the spotlight. This island paradise, already known for its laid-back beaches and luxe resorts, plays host to the fictional White Lotus Resort, reportedly filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. The showrunners have doubled down on Thailand's rich spiritual traditions, and it shows — from scenes shot at ancient temples to opulent beachside rituals. Travellers are now gravitating to spiritual wellness retreats and high-end villas with jungle views. Also, seeing a bump? Private Muay Thai sessions, night markets, and longtail boat tours to nearby Ang Thong Marine Park. Pro tip: Book early — post- White Lotus hype is real.
The gritty neo-noir series Paatal Lok returns in 2025, and this time, it dives deep into India's Northeast — specifically Nagaland. The second season is rooted in the region's complex socio-political fabric, with much of the action shot in Dimapur and remote hillside villages. This is the first time mainstream Indian TV has spotlighted Nagaland in such a visceral, visually arresting way. The landscape is cinematic: Mist-covered hills, dense bamboo forests, and dusty towns where time seems to pause. Cultural moments — like traditional tribal tattoos, indigenous rock music, and Naga cuisine — are front and centre. Travellers have started to look past the usual Goa-Leh-Rajasthan circuit, with Nagaland seeing a spike in offbeat tourism. Local homestays and eco-resorts near Khonoma are now booked months in advance. It's raw, real, and refreshingly un-touristy.
3. Paris, France: Emily in Paris Season 4
Paris. Photo: iStock
Yes, she's still wearing impractical heels on cobblestones. Emily in Paris returned this year with its most dramatic season yet, but it's the new neighbourhoods and luxe Parisian getaways that have fans swooning all over again. Season 4 has Emily navigating the Left Bank, with scenes filmed in Saint-Germain-des-Pres and Montparnasse, giving the city a slightly moodier, more artistic tone than in previous seasons. The Jardin du Luxembourg and Latin Quarter cafes are already seeing a spike in Instagram check-ins. But the big travel takeaway? Weekend escapes. This season features trips to Champagne and the Loire Valley, inspiring Paris-bound tourists to tack on mini wine-soaked getaways. Trend alert: Stylish countryside B&Bs over flashy hotels.
4. Seoul, South Korea: Squid Game Season 2
Seoul. Photo: Pixabay
The global phenomenon that is Squid Game returned with more psychological warfare and twisted social commentary — and this time, Seoul gets a bigger slice of screen time. While the actual games remain shrouded in secrecy, much of the new season takes place above ground, including in Itaewon and the high-rises of Gangnam. There's also a strong focus on Seoul's nightlife and underground gambling dens, giving the city a neon-drenched noir vibe that's both unsettling and visually addictive. Post-season, Seoul has seen a surge in "dark tourism" experiences — think crime-themed walking tours, immersive VR escape rooms, and even food tours featuring jjapaguri (ram-don). Airbnb hosts are leaning in, offering " Squid Game -style stays" — minus the actual life-or-death stakes.
5. Romania: Wednesday Season 2
Tim Burton's Wednesday is back, and so is Nevermore Academy — except it's not where you think. Although the show's aesthetic screams New England Gothic, the filming location is Romania, specifically around Bucharest and the historic Cantacuzino Castle in Prahova County. Season 2 adds even more visual flair with episodes shot in Transylvania's fortified churches and eerie woodlands. Tourism to Bran Castle (dubbed "Dracula's Castle") is booming again, but the real sleeper hit is Sinaia, a small town that's suddenly Gen Z's new favourite photo-op spot. Goth-core fashion and "dark academia" aesthetics are now influencing the way fans travel — think moody black outfits at heritage sites, candlelit cafe snaps, and group tours themed around the occult. Romania has never looked this cool.
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News18
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Last Updated: Meant to promote denim & raise awareness about domestic violence, American Eagle's ad campaign starring Sydney Sweeney has instead been accused of echoing white supremacist tropes In July this year, American Eagle launched a bold campaign to promote its denim revival, featuring one of Hollywood's rising stars, Sydney Sweeney, best known for Euphoria, The White Lotus, and Madame Web. The campaign was designed to blend cheeky humour with body positivity, philanthropy, and a dash of Gen-Z irony. In the central video, Sweeney, wearing an American Eagle denim outfit, faces the camera and says: 'Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour, personality and even eye colour. My jeans are blue." But not everyone was amused. The reference to genetics, her blonde hair and blue eyes, and the campaign's overall tone quickly triggered outrage, not just for its innuendo, but for what critics said was a disturbing nod to white supremacist ideology. What Were The Accusations? To understand the backlash, it's important to understand the weight of the phrase 'great genes" in American cultural and political history. The early 20th-century eugenics movement in the US promoted the idea that the human race could be improved by selective breeding. This pseudoscientific theory targeted people of colour, immigrants, and people with disabilities, and led to forced sterilisation laws, segregation, and immigration bans. These ideas were later embraced by Nazi Germany, forming the basis for policies of racial purity and genocide. ✨Re: Sydney Sweeney'Genes are passed down from parent to offspring, often determining traits like eye color, personality, and even hair color…" So Sydney (& American Eagle) somehow expect audiences to not interpret this visual as a euphemism for eugenics and white supremacy? — My Fairy Godfather. (@MFG_iWPJ) July 26, 2025 So when a modern ad features a blue-eyed, blonde-haired white woman saying she has 'great genes", even as a pun, the visual and linguistic choices land uncomfortably close to the historical language of racial superiority. Why Did Critics Call It 'Tone-Deaf', Especially For A Domestic Violence Campaign? The controversy was further complicated by the campaign's stated social purpose. As part of the promotion, American Eagle launched a special edition product, The Sydney Jean, with 100 per cent of its purchase price donated to Crisis Text Line, a US-based mental health and domestic abuse support service. The idea was to blend fashion with philanthropy. But critics felt the campaign's visual tone undermined its mission. In several versions of the ad, Sweeney's body was the focal point. The camera panned down her chest, or lingered on her curves, as she spoke about genetics. In one video, she says: 'My body's composition is determined by my genes…" Then pauses and adds: 'Hey, eyes up here." This hyper-sexualised aesthetic, critics argued, clashed sharply with the campaign's goal of raising awareness around gendered violence. Many said the brand was using Sweeney's body to drive clicks, while claiming to stand for women's empowerment. NPR wrote that the dissonance between message and method rendered the ad 'completely tone-deaf," especially in a country where women's bodies have historically been commodified even in the name of advocacy. How Did The Internet React? The backlash wasn't limited to op-eds. It was instant, viral, and vicious, with many accusing American Eagle of creating a modern 'dog whistle" for racist ideology. After the ad went live, social media was filled with posts labelling it 'Nazi-coded," 'white supremacist chic," and 'one of the most obvious racialised dog whistles in a while." On Reddit, users criticised Sweeney for what they saw as calculated indifference: 'She is loving all of this attention… the girl does NOT care." 'This might be the funniest way someone's career could implode lol." At the premiere of her film Americana, TMZ captured a protester heckling her from the crowd. As Sweeney stepped out of her car, a woman was heard yelling: 'Stop the ad, that is being racist." Sweeney, flanked by her team, appeared unfazed. But critics viewed that too as part of the problem, accusing her of staying silent while profiting off controversy. Internet's Reaction Didn't Stop At The Ad In one of the more bizarre turns, even Sweeney's pet dog, a red-and-black German Shepherd named Sully Bear, became the target of online anger. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sydney Sweeney (@sydney_sweeney) Given the ad's perceived eugenic undertones, users began pointing out that German Shepherds were the breed used by Nazis during World War II, and that Hitler himself owned several. Posts soon called Sully a 'Nazi pet." One user wrote: 'Swastika Sweeney. Hyper white person pet for sure." The moment crystallised the absurd extremes of the backlash, but also how deeply some felt about the campaign's symbolism. What Role Did Trump Play And Why Did It Escalate The Backlash? What might have been a fashion controversy turned into a full-blown culture war when Donald Trump endorsed the ad. Taking to Truth Social, the US President wrote: 'Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the 'HOTTEST' ad out there. The jeans are flying off the shelves. Go get 'em, Sydney!" When asked later by reporters if he supported the campaign, he replied: 'If Sydney Sweeney is a Republican, I think her ad is fantastic." Trump's backing reframed the controversy. Overnight, conservative media turned Sweeney into a symbol of anti-woke defiance, someone allegedly punished by liberal outrage for simply being attractive and Republican. The right-wing press ran with it. According to a Media Matters study, Fox News mentioned the campaign 28 times in one week, more than it discussed the Jeffrey Epstein case. Even Vice President JD Vance weighed in on a podcast, mocking the backlash. 🚨 LMAO! JD Vance just reacted to leftists melting down over Sydney Sweeney'My political advice to Democrats is continue to tell everyone who thinks Sydney Sweeney is attractive is a NAZl" 🤣 'You guys, did you learn NOTHING from the 2024 election?! I actually thought one of… — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 1, 2025 Is Sydney Sweeney A Registered Republican? Yes. According to The Independent, Sydney Sweeney has been a registered Republican in Florida since June 2024, months before Trump's second-term win. This detail gained traction as the backlash grew. Critics saw it as confirmation that the ad wasn't apolitical. Supporters framed it as bravery in an industry dominated by liberals. While Sweeney has never publicly endorsed a candidate, her political registration, silence, and now celebrity branding deals have been closely scrutinised. Was The Campaign Actually Bad For Business? Not at all, at least financially. American Eagle was in trouble. Just weeks earlier, the company: Withdrew financial guidance due to 'macro uncertainty" Forecasted a 5 per cent revenue drop Reported an $85 million operating loss Saw its gross margins fall from 40.6% to 29.6% But after the campaign went viral, American Eagle's stock surged: 10% bump when the campaign first dropped in July 28% spike after Trump's public endorsement Nearly $200 million added to the company's market value in one session, as reported by Vanity Fair In short, outrage worked. What Now For Sydney Sweeney And American Eagle? Sweeney has not issued any statement. Her silence has been interpreted as everything from strategic distancing to quiet agreement. American Eagle, for its part, continues to defend the campaign, stating: ''Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans' is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story … Great jeans look good on everyone." top videos View all View this post on Instagram A post shared by American Eagle (@americaneagle) The company has not pulled the campaign, though some videos have been deleted from social media. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : advertisement donald trump Sydney Sweeney view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 06, 2025, 14:08 IST News explainers Sydney Sweeney Ad Controversy: Why Her American Eagle Campaign Is Being Called 'Nazi' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. 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