Expecting to see your Oppa around Seoul? If you’re a K-Pop fan, you need to go on a dukhoo tour, which stands for “stan tour.” Traveling to Korea will be an exciting experience for you to wander around your bias’ home ground.
So, which group or drama you like? It’s time to embark on the K-pop journey by visiting various agencies or idol-owned cafes. Let’s dive into the real K-Pop world as we’ve rounded up 10 must-visit places in Seoul for all K-Pop fans.
10 Must-Visit K-Pop Places
With an amazing infrastructure and facilities, the South Korean government has successfully promoting Korean Waves globally. This virtual guide will bring you to the genuine experience of K-Pop in Seoul.
1. Your favorite K-Pop agency
Talent agency buildings are where your favorite idols practice and record their songs. So it’s nothing complete without a visit to this place. Sometimes, if you’re lucky enough, you might also bump into them around the building!
YG Entertainment (BLACKPINK, iKON, WINNER, BIGBANG)
The YG Entertainment building is located around Hapjeong and it can be spotted easily from a mile away. You’ll see the unique building stands out in this area. YG headquarters is known for its tasty cafeteria food, which you can try while hunting for your idol to pass by.
Location: 397-5 Hapjeoung-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Nearest subway station: Hapjeong Station (Exit 8)
SM Entertainment (Super Junior, EXO, Girls’ Generation, Red Velvet)
This agency is home to global groups like EXO, Super Junior, or Girls’ Generation. It’s located near Hangang Park in Gangnam, so you can actually enjoy some snacks there while waiting to catch your idols’ appearance.
Location: 114, Seolleung-ro 190-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Nearest subway station: Apgujeong Rodeo Station (Exit 1)
JYP Entertainment (TWICE, GOT7, DAY6)
The building of JYP Entertainment is located just a stone’s throw away from SM Entertainment, so you can visit both places on the same day. If the day you come is your idol’s birthday, you can see the iconic birthday photo under the JYP sign at the entrance.
Location: 41 Apgujeong-ro 79-gil, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Nearest subway station: Cheongdam Station (Exit 9)
Big Hit Entertainment (BTS, Homme)
One of the famous boy groups, BTS, is signed under Big Hit Entertainment. Their building is located around Gangnam too. If you decide to pop by for a visit on the right day, you might be lucky to spot the boys enter the headquarters.
Location: Yangjin Plaza 5F, 5 Hakdong-ro, 30-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Nearest subway station: Hakdong Station (Exit 3)
Cube Entertainment (BTOB, Pentagon)
The good news about the Cube Entertainment building is that it has a cafe right below. You can enjoy a cup of coffee while waiting for your idols to pass through the office entrance. The cafe, 20 SPACE, also sells some merchandise of the artists under Cube.
Location: 83 Achasan-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Nearest subway station: Seongsu Station (Exit 1)
2. Visit idol-owned cafes & restaurants
A lot of K-Pop idols and families opened up their own cafe or restaurant as a business. Some of it showcase their photos, autographs, and special souvenirs. Well, if you’re lucky, they might be pop by to have a coffee. Here are some K-Pop cafes you can visit in Seoul:
- Chocolat BonBon, a bakery & cafe owned by Eun Hyuk of Super Junior. It’s located in Guro, the western part of Seoul and operated by his parents.
- KAMONG Cafe, a unique cafe owned by EXO Kai’s older sister. KAMONG is actually taken from Kai + Monggu (his dog) and he was the one who set up the cafe for his sister.
- Hwang’s Eel Restaurant, located in Yeongdeungpo area, where you’ll see Min Hyuk everywhere inside the restaurant. Yes, this restaurant is owned by CNBLUE Min Hyuk’s dad.
- The Min’s is owned by 2AM and HOMME’s Changmin located in Apgujeong area. This cafe is famous for its summer drinks like lemonade and cherryade. Psst… BTS members often stop by to support Changmin!
- Viva Polo, which is an Italian restaurant owned by EXO Chanyeol has branches all over Seoul. However, if you want to meet him, try to come to the Gangdongu branch in Myeong-dong.
3. SMTOWN Coex Atrium
Are you a fan of idols under SM Entertainment? Whether you love EXO, Red Velvet, SNSD, or Super Junior, you’ll like being in this 6-story wonderland! You can try SMTOWN Studio here, pretending you’re an actual idol and visit their recording studios.
There’s also a museum, theater, and hologram shows for live performances. Don’t forget to buy the merchandise such as stationery, mugs, pillows, and even dessert customized according to your favorite idols since it’s only available in this place.
If you cannot come here, you can always go to SMTOWN Stardium in Dongdaemun Design Plaza or SMTOWN Pop Up Store at Young Plaza Myeong-dong.
Location: Coex Mall, 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Nearest subway station: Samseong Station (Exit 5 or 6)
4. Experience a free mini-concert around Seoul
Catch an intimate concert and experience a K-Pop music show by yourself. How? Simply grab a chance to see the top idols performing live for free at the music shows. It’s not easy to be a lucky fan, but it’s still worth trying, right? Here are several shows you can try:
- Show Champion: Entry via a fan club or general entry. To get in with a fan club, you need to have a physical copy of the group’s latest album and official lightstick. Be there before 5.30 pm so you won’t miss out on your chance.
- M!Countdown: Getting into this show isn’t easy. There are 3 tiers entry for fans but basically, the requirements are quite the same. You need to have official lightstick, official fan club membership card, physical copy album, proof of purchase of digital single on Korean music services, and ID or passport.
- SBS Inkigayo: All you need is sign up for an SBS account and apply for admission. Usually, they use a lottery system so not everyone can get in but you don’t need to join any fan club as well.
- KBS Music Bank: Similar to SBS Inkigayo, you need to register via the official website with an ID or passport. The winners will be selected by lucky draw.
5. Myeong-dong Underground Shopping Center
Buy your favorite K-Pop albums and merchandise at this one-stop place for all K-Pop fans. Everyone knows Myeongdong Underground is must-visit places for K-Pop fans. Before going out of Myeongdong Station, you’ll find a treasure trove to fill up your collection.
This place has a slightly cheaper price than anywhere else so make sure you buy everything you want here. Additionally, you’ll also spot other shops here besides K-Pop items, such as make-up, clothes, souvenirs, shoes, and even Korean food or snacks.
Location: 124 Toegye-ro, Chungmuro 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
Nearest subway station: Myeong-dong Station (Exit 7)
6. Kyobo Bookstore
This bookstore located in Gwanghwamun Square isn’t just the largest bookstore chain in South Korea. Here you can find a great selection of books, CDs, DVDs, and photobooks of your favorite idols.
Been looking for that album but cannot find it anywhere? Go to Kyobo and find it between the shelves. You can also try to buy Korean language book here if you’re planning to learn, because who knows that your Oppa might wanna talk to you 😉
Location: 1 Jong-ro, Jongno 1(il)-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Nearest subway station: Gwanghwamun Station (Exit 3)
7. Stroll around Hallyu K-Star Road
We bet all K-Pop fans have already known what this famous street is filled with various attractions. Take a photo with GangnamDols, which is a human-size sculpture in the shape of bears with the famous K-Pop groups’ logo printed on them.
Sometimes you would bump into several celebrities around this area because Gangnam is known as a high-end area in Seoul. A lot of actors and actresses also live around the area and there are luxury goods shops where celebrities usually go for shopping.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to go to the GANGNAMDOL HAUS, located in front of Exit 7 of Apgujeong Rodeo subway station. Here they sell miniature of GangnamDols as a souvenir that you can take home as a gift.
Location: 407 Apgujeong-ro, Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Nearest subway station: Apgujeong Rodea Station (Exit 2)
8. MV filming location, Yongma Land
This abandoned amusement park has been popular since EXO and Crayon Pop filmed their music video here. Wanna take Instagrammable pictures like your idols? Here’s the perfect location for those who want to level up your feed.
Although the amusement park is officially closed, you can ask the guard to turn up some lights so your photos will turn out beautifully. Remember that you have to pay a small fee for this but it’s quite worth it with the pictures you’ll get!
Location: Yongmasan, Jungnang District (outskirt area of Seoul, around 30 minutes of train ride from the city center to Mangu Station Exit 1)
9. KLIVE at Lotte FitIn Dongdaemun
A fan of YG or JYP artists? If you miss out on their concert tickets, come to one of the must-visit K-Pop places in Lotte FitIn in Dongdaemun. Experience a realistic hologram concert of your favorite idol groups here, for free!
Catch a show of BIGBANG, 2NE1, or Psy at this dynamic hologram concert hall. It has a 270-degree display and fantastic sound technology that will make you feel like you’re at the actual concert. Sounds like a real deal, right?
Location: 264 Eulji-ro, Gwanghui-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
Nearest subway station: Jamsil Station (Exit 2 or 11)
10. The Garden of Morning Calm
Enjoy a beautiful garden that showcases different flowers in each season just a stone’s throw away from Seoul. This is also one of the must-visit places for K-Pop fans, especially if you love Korean movies, variety shows, or dramas, you’ll like sightseeing experience around this garden.
Some of the productions that filmed here include Infinite Challenge, Love in the Moonlight, My Love from the Star, The Letter, Smile Again, and many more! You can also visit Nami Island and Petite France when you come here.
Location: 432 Sumogwon-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
How to go there: Take a subway bound to Cheongpyeong Station by Gyeongchun line
Explore Instagrammable Spots in Seoul
So, which one of the must-visit K-Pop places that you like? If you’re not into K-Pop that much, Seoul always offers various hot spots for your Instagram dream. Check out our curated list of 7 Insta-worthy spots in Seoul. Let’s make your followers jelly of your holiday photos in South Korea!