One of the reasons why a lot of Hallyu fans are extending their stay in Korea for more than a week is to explore more of the city aside from the city's top tourist spots.
Fan girls are now adding Kdrama or Kpop locations (or both!) in their itineraries that they feel that a week isn't enough.
Friends planning for a spring trip in Seoul this 2023 have been messaging me for tips on where to go in Korea as an ARMY or BTS fan, at least within Seoul area.
There are so many added locations and activities, especially now that they have individual Instagram accounts where they can post more restaurants or places they've visited (hoorah!) on the daily. But let me share a few that you can start off when you are figuring out your own BTS pilgrimage.
Pre-pandemic, I was able to join a BTS Tour offered in Klook. Super convenient for a solo traveler, and met international ARMYs too. We event went to the abandoned railway featured in Spring Day MV. Sadly, I think they already stopped this offering. I hope they will make one again because I'm sure a lot will join this tour!
But the good news is, you can always DIY! It's going to be a full day of walks, so always start off with FOOD:
✅ Yoojung Sikdang
The restaurant that BTS frequented during their pre-debut and rookie years (sometimes eating here 3x daily). Currently, the sikdang or restaurant is filled from floor to ceiling with all things BTS: from standees, banners, posters, cup sleeves, balloons, stickers, and other merch. These are mostly gifted by ARMY diners from all over the world. Meeting ajumma who has been manning this restaurant since the beginning is an added bonus to the visit!
14 Dosan-daero 28-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Subway:
Hakdong Station, Exit 7. Walk for 10-15 minutes
or Sinsa Station, Exit 1. Walk for 10-15 minutes
Weekdays 10am-9:30pm, Weekends 10am-8pm
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| My first time in Yoojung Sikdang was during a winter trip! |
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| Back during autumn with my friends, and had the chance to take a photo with ajumma :) |
✅ Old Big Hit Entertainment Building
Just a few blocks away from Yoojung Sikdang, fans usually just walk through steep roads and slopes to see the old agency building where the Bangtan boys started. Currently, the building's marble exteriors is covered with hand-written messages from global fans. Make your mark to and bring a marker when you visit!
10-31, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Can be located with Google Maps app as "Old Big Hit Entertainment Bldg, Nonhyeong-ro"
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| My first Old Big Hit Bldg visit. There were more writings then. The Big Hit signage was still there at the side of the stairs |
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| Recent visit, lesser writing. Hope they will maintain this BTS "landmark" though! |
✅ Hakdong Park
Just walking distance from the former Big Hit Building is a park where the boys frequented during their early BTS years.
Hakdong Park was also recently featured again in Run BTS Telepathy episode, where we learned more on how precious this space is to them. Namjoon revealed to Jimin how he went all the way here to release his frustrations while working on "No More Dream", and how they practiced the difficult choreography of "N.O". Hakdong Park witnessed the early struggles of BTS.
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| Jimin and Namjoon sat here on these swings, featured in Run BTS Telepathy episode |
✅ Hyuga Cafe & Bakery
A bit of a walk, but still in Nonhyeon-ro area, is BTS' former dorm converted into a cafe. You can spot photos (printed screenshots from their past reality shows) around the building indicating which part of the dorm was a member's room or the dining area, etc.
Order a cup of coffee and some pastries, and rest in this cafe before you continue with your pilgrimage. There's also an area at the main floor (2nd) where you can write your messages to BTS on post-it notes and stick on a wall.
Nonhyeon-ro 119-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Daily from 10am to 9:30pm
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| You'll see these familiar wall in old BTS videos |
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| A pretty new spot for ARMYs to enjoy a cup of coffee and collect BTS breadcrumbs |
Note: If you'll be traveling as a group, or you want to save time and energy, download the Kakao T taxi hailing app before your Korea trip to conveniently call a cab (payment can be in cash)
Before proceeding with other areas, there are more hidden gems around Nonhyeon-ro we were able to visit but unfortunately wasn't able to take note off (dorms, practice rooms, etc). We just went with the flow, asking ARMYs that we met on the road for tips!
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| A map of the BTS locations around their former home-base Nonhyeon area |
✅ K-Star Road
Not only for ARMY, but all Kpop fans will enjoy passing by the K Star Road. Ride a subway, and hop off Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 2 to see the GangnamDol of your favorite Kpop groups. BTS with their OG logo can be found by the near end of the road.
517, Apgujeong-dong, Google Maps
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| Finally! A photo with the BTS Gangnamdol |
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| They are so cute in this photo!!! |
✅ Line Friends Store
Although we may have Line Friends Stores already here in Manila, stopping by a branch when in Seoul has been my tradition. I used to get a random TATA merch during my pre-pandemic Korea trips. Perfect also for photo ops and souvenir shopping. There are branches with a cafe, so make sure to check which ones are still open and has this type of offering.
Current locations: Gangnam, Hongdae, Insadong
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| Shooky and Tata figures were on another side, but OT7 kahit sa BT21 :D |
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| Cute BT21 Cafe I visited in Itaewon back in 2018, sadly it is now permanently closed |
✅ HYBE Building
There are news about Hybe Insight's relocation (museum for Hybe artists), so please visit https://hybeinsight.com to check for updates. You can always go outside the agency building in case there will be no ongoing exhibits during your Korea trip. There is also a CU convenience store right across the building selling more BTS themed merch like gum and T-Money Card.
✅ Seoul Forest
Aside from being the perfect place to rest on a beautiful autumn day, the Seoul Forest also has a few BTS landmarks, including the RM Benches at the Gingko Tree Forest. Two ordinary chairs became extra special to ARMYs when fans adopted these benches during the 4th anniversary of RM's mixtape. Engraved on the metal plates are lines from his songs I Believe and Moonchild.
We just walked and walked till we spotted the round granite tube or tunnel or the photo shooting location of Yoongi in Love Yourself. Spend at least half a day in Seoul Forest to fully enjoy it!
273, Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
There's a subway station dedicated to Seoul Forest.
✅ Cafe Camptong
Run BTS Shooting location, episodes 118-119. Another cafe where you can hangout and collect BTS breadcrumbs.
27 Apgujeong-ro 42-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafecamptong/
✅ BTS SG 2021 Shooting Locations in Euljiro
My favorite BTS Season's Greetings concept to date, with the green color and retro theme. 90% of the shops in the area are closed or covered for construction so please add extra precaution when you visit! I usually travel alone, but for this I am just glad I was with Paxie.
Location References: https://www.creatrip.com/en/blog/9246
✅ Yeolrin Songhyeon Green Plaza
A park in the middle of the city, we passed by Yeolrin Songhyeon after having coffee in Anguk, on our way to Ikseondong. This park was featured in RM's Instagram where he was taking photos of the beautiful autumn flowers cosmos.
✅ Join a 1-Day Kpop Dance Class
Another fun way to spend your Korea trip as an ARMY is by enrolling in a 1-day Kpop dance workshop. Check their schedule for a BTS class, and make sure to put on your dancing shoes!
For details on my personal experience, and different studios in Seoul, check out my blogpost here:
Other 1-day BTS related workshops that you can take when in Seoul:
- Silver Kit House (Featured in Jimin's Vlog) - 6 Sinheung-ro 36-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea (𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬: 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴 𝘉𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘵). 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝗪𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩: Send them a direct message on Instagram @silver_kit_house
- Hash The Wood (Featured in Suga's Vlog) - 38 Huam-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea (𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬: 𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘑𝘫𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵, 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨). 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝗪𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩: https://m.hashthewood.com
- Or try any Korean food cooking class ala Chef Min, such as this Kimchi Making Class (blogpost)
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| Hash The Wood is featured in Suga's Youtube Vlog where he made chopping boards for his members |
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| Not entirely BTS related, but it will be fun to also learn how to cook their favorite Korean food right? :) |
Still On My Bucket List:
🔜 Daeo Bookstore
🔜 Achasan Mountain
🔜 Seoul Wave Art Center
🔜 Namjooning-approved Museums & Libraries
🔜 Ossu Seiromushi - Japanese resto of Jin's brother
Or get your hair done or a tattoo at the places where the boys had theirs:
🔜 Hair By Mujin - https://www.instagram.com/hairbymujin/
🔜 Polyc SJ - https://www.instagram.com/polyc_sj/
Permanently Closed BTS Locations in Seoul:
❌ Laundry Pizza
A Love Yourself: Her album shooting location. It has a cute vintage laundromat theme, plus their potato pizza is super yummy!
Permanently Closed
❌ &Gather Cafe
The coffee shop featured in Run BTS episode 45, where they learned how to make coffee.
Permanently Closed
❌ Abandoned Swimming Pool in Seoul National University
Locations for “HYYH On Stage: Prologue” video
Permanently Closed
❌ Star Gallery at Lotte Department Store
This one, I am not sure if they already reopened. But checking posts online, there are mixed status from recent goers. Please do your research before going, or visit at your own risk. Will appreciate if you can send in updates too! :)
Was closed during the pandemic
❌ The Min's
Owned by 2AM's Changmin, a cafe BTS frequented during their debut
Permanently Closed
OUTSIDE OF SEOUL
If you still have time and can travel outside of Seoul, here are other BTS locations:
✅ BTS Spring day Bus Stop in Jumunjin Beach (You Never Walk Alone album)
✅ Magnate Cafe, BUSAN
✅ TaeGi Pilgrimage, DAEGU
✅ Magnate Cafe, BUSAN
✅ TaeGi Pilgrimage, DAEGU
✅ BTS In The Soop Season 1
🔜 BTS In The Soop Season 2
🔜 Other Hometown Pilgrimages (More of Busan, Gwangju, Ilsan)
🔜 Other Hometown Pilgrimages (More of Busan, Gwangju, Ilsan)
🔜 Yongin Daejanggeum Park - Daechwita Shooting Location
A day-trip to the Korean Folk Village - Run BTS location
🔜 Maengbang Beach in Samcheok - Butter Location
A day-trip to the Korean Folk Village - Run BTS location
🔜 Maengbang Beach in Samcheok - Butter Location
🔜 Gongbech - Cafe of Suga's Brother in Jeju
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| As a Spring Day enthusiast, I was over the moon when I got to visit the bus stop |
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| Back in Busan as a Jimin-bias |
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| One of my healing shows during the pandemic: In The Soop |
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| Korean Folk Village is a beautiful place to visit an hour away from Seoul, even for non-ARMYS! |
2 Comments
Thank you for that! It helps so muuuuuch! I am in Seoul right now and your post is super clear and helpful! Thank you fellow army <3
ReplyDeleteIn the next month im going to south korea celebrate my 30 year birthday and I apreciated so much for your post! <3
ReplyDeleteYour turn! Always excited to read your comments! :)