BTS Tour Through South Korea

BTS has been recognised numerous times as one of the biggest tourist attractions for their home country, South Korea. Whether it's due to their vocals, lyrics, dance, personality (or all at once), people easily fall in love with the band as soon as they dip their toe in Purple Land.

Whether you're a committed ARMY, or a curious music lover, you might be wondering what attractions are there to see in the country that are related to the Grammy-nominated band. Just like many fans, I daydream about travelling to South Korea and visiting these beautiful locations where they have performed, filmed, or simply eaten. And, on a whim, I created a BTS tour for me and any Bangtan lover (or hater, you never know) out there.

Prepare yourself: this is a long, detailed list of places to visit!

SEOUL

Of course being the capital of the country—and one of the closest cities to Incheon International airport—Seoul had to be our first stop. But buckle up, because this metropoli is no joke. The seven members have lived there since before their debut, which makes the list long!

To make it easier, I have separated the locations in districts, so you can visit all at once, if you wish.

SEONGDONG-GU

• Dongho bridge — Oksu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

This is the location where part of one of our all-time favourite music videos was filmed: "I Need U". The song brought BTS their first music show award, with its memorable melody and the members’ eye-catching dance moves, and it meant the start of a path of continuous success that doesn’t seem to have an end on sight.

• Seoul Forest Woodland Playground — Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Here you will find the famous concrete tube in which SUGA's photoshoot for Love Yourself poster took place.

GANGNAM-GU

• The Min’s — 330 Apgujeong-ro, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Reported as BTS's favourite cafe. You can find various pictures of the band eating and drinking in this beautiful place—they even have their autographs!

• Hallyu K-star road — 517 Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

In this famously doll-decorated road you will find BTS's black-and-white bear doll, among other groups'.

• Laundry pizza — Bongeunsa-ro 4-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

A fun cafe inspired by laundry machines and pizza (as the name suggests) where BTS shot some of their Love Yourself: Her album pictures.

• Line Friends Gangnam Flagship Store — 437 Gangnam-aero, Seocho-dong, Seoul

Where you will find all the BT21 merch you can think of! Be mindful of your expenses, though, we still have a long trip ahead!

• BigHit Entertainment Building — 10-31 Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

The infamous building where everything started. Who remembers the small practice rooms? *Dries a silly tear*

• Giani’s Napoli — 15 Dosan-daero 15-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

This restaurant was mentioned by our food connoisseur, Jin, as one of his favourites.

• Yoojung Sikdang — 14 Dosan-daero 28-gil, Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

In this restaurant the BTS members recorded some of their “Rookie King” reality show (2013) content, where some of the staff talked about the boys' fun behaviour and caring attitude. Back then, they had merely debuted!

YONGSANG-GU

• &Gather Cafe — 39 dokseodang-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

During the 45th "Run BTS!" episode the members learnt to make the best coffee from one of the shop's baristas.

• Dongjak bridge — 386 Inchon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Where our dear V was photoshooted for the Love Yourself posters.

• HYBE Insight — 42 Hangang-damero, 2-ga, Hangangno, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Current home of BTS's and other HYBE groups' studios, alongside their new company's headquarters. The infamous HYBE Museum is also here, where you can find numerous pieces that have been key in the history of the internationally-acclaimed band. Definitely a must-see for ARMY!

• Nodeul Island — 305-9 Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

One of the locations used in the "Run" music video, in which you can see the members running under its bridge.

MAPO-GU

• VT Pink House — Wausau-ro 29-gil, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

K-beauty, coffee, and BTS? You can find it all in this cosmetic brand and cafe that offers BTS products.

SONGPA-GU

• Otsu Seiromushi — 30 Baekjegobun-ro 45-gil, Songpa il-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul

Did you know that Jin co-owns a restaurant with his brother? You will have to make a reservation with time, though—the waiting list might be long!

• Star Avenue Lotte World — 240 Olympic-ro, Jamison Sam-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul

This is the perfect museum for all K-pop lovers, and, of course, that includes BTS ARMY. The highlight is the members' handprints!

• Hamkyeongdo Chapssalsundae — 32 Songpa-aero 28-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul

Famous for their sundaeguk (Korean blood sausage soup), this place is also known for the frequent dinners Jin and Jung Kook used to have here! (Who knows, maybe they'll want to go down memory lane the same day you visit the restaurant).

JONGNO-GU/ JUNG-GU

• Daeo Bookstore — 55 Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Cheongunhyoja-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Want to go Namjooning? And to one of RM's favourite places? Then this bookstore is for you! You can even take an ARMY Selca Day picture in the same spot as BTS's leader.

• Wolmi Culture Street — 98-57 Bukseong-dong il-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

The location where "For You" was filmed (who remembers baby Jung Kook dressed as a bear working to earn money to get his crush a gift?) Here you will find numerous attractions and shops to enjoy yourself to the fullest.

JUNGNANG-GU

• Yongma Land — Mangu-ro 70-gil, Mangu-dong, Jungnang-gu, Seoul

An abandoned theme park where BTS was photoshooted for one of their early albums. You can visit it, take pictures, and see all of its curiosities. But be careful! Remember it's abandoned and using the old rides can be dangerous.

GWANAK-GU

• SNU Abandoned Swimming Pool— 1433-183 Silim-dong, Seoul

Although it was waiting to be demolished, the SNU abandoned swimming pool where the The Most Beautiful Moment In Life prologue was filmed was saved—at least the wall that the members graffiti'ed. You can still visit this BTS-historical sight.

PERFORMANCE LOCATIONS IN SEOUL

• Gyeongbokgung Palace — Sajik-ro, Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395, during the Joseon dynasty. Counting with 7,700 rooms, it is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the dynasty, and although it had been destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598), it was later restored in the 19th century. It was once again demolished by Imperial Japan in the early 20th century, and it’s been getting restored since the 1990s to its original form.

It houses both the National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum. Lately, its fame has skyrocketed thanks to BTS’ performance of their songs “Idol” and “Mikrocosmos” at the Palace for the American show “Jimmy Fallon.”

Some tips related to visiting:

1. It's closed on Tuesdays (very unusual for a landmark), but since most other museums and palaces are closed on Mondays, that would be the perfect day to go to Gyeongbokgung.
2. If you exit the palace on the eastern side, you are perfectly placed to watch jumbo gimbap being made at Chosun Gimbap, a highly recommended restaurant that gives a lot of food for little money.
3. If you book ahead of time, you can get tickets to the palace's "Starlight Tour", which includes a guided night-time tour of 10 locations in the palace and a Korean royal court banquet , plus a live performance of traditional Korean music.

• Jamsil Olympic Stadium — Olympic-ro, Jamsil i-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul

Where BTS performed for their Love Yourself World Tour in 2018, for the AMAs in 2020, as well as their first off-line concert in two years since the pandemic started, with their “BTS Permission To Dance On Stage - Seoul”.

• Sangam Stadium (Seoul World Cup Stadium) — Woldeukeom-ro, Seongsan-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

MAMAs “ON” performance in 2020. In the same show, SUGA—who was recovering from a shoulder surgery—made a special appearance later on as a hollogram, when the rest of the members performed “Life Goes On”.

• Incheon National Airport

The legendary performance for the 2020 BBMAs was recorded here during the pandemic, when the band couldn't travel to USA to perform live. In the background, the names of the cities of their cancelled tour shone in bright purple letters.

• Parc1 Tower — 108 Yeovil-Daeo, Yeoeuido-dong, Yongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

Remember BTS dancing to "Dynamite" on a heliport? It's highly unlikely that you will be able to get up there, but at least you can watch the building's breathtaking height from the bottom!

• National Museum of Korea — Seobinggo-ro, Seobinggo-dong, Yongsang-Du, Seoul

Home of their Dear Class 2020 show, live-streamed in Youtube. Their speeches were highly praised for their comforting and understanding words.

• Korea Furniture Museum — Daesagwan-ro, Seongbuk-dong, Seongnuk-gu, Seoul

Rekindle fun moments from the "You Quiz On The Block" episode 99, featuring BTS.

• Everland Theme park — Everland-ro, Pogog-eup, Cheon-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do

Used for their “Dynamite” performance in "America’s Got Talent" 2020.

OUTSIDE SEOUL

Would you like to travel out of Seoul? I've got you covered!

GYEONGGI-DO

• Iryeong Station — 327 Samsung-ri, Jangheung-myeong, Yangju, Gyeonggi-do

V in the "Spring Day" music video... do I need to say more?

• Achasan mountain — Gyeonggi-do

Hike the mountain V and RM climbed as a penalty (not so much for our nature-lover leader) after the "Run BTS!" episode 44.

• Hwajeong Tunnel — 951 Sanbon-dong, Gunpo-si, Gyeonggi-do

Who can ever forget the HYYH era? Rebelious, hurt young men fighting unhappiness to find their family in one another. In this island you will fnd the tunnel where Jin, RM, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook stopped their pick-up truck to shout their lungs out and cause trouble to other drivers... only to run away once again once the police made an appearance.

I wouldn’t recommend stopping here for pictures, though! (Remember, this was purely fictional, as part of their music video!)

• Sihwaho Lake — Daebubuk-dong, Anshan, Gyeonggi-do

That lonely tree in the "Spring Day" music video is waiting for you to visit! There's a power station in the middle of the lake, the largest tidal power installation in the world. A breathtaking sight for sure!

GANGWON-DO:

• Hyangho beach — Hyangho-ri, Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do

The infamous You Never Walk Alone cover picture with the seven members sitting on a bus stop is on the beach! You will even find a sign to commemorate the members's photo.

• "In The Soop" Season 1 airbnb — Lake 192, Chuncheon-si

If you're travelling with friends and would like a peceful place to stay witha breathtaking view, you can rent this airbnb where BTS filmed the first season of "BTS In The Soop".

HOME TOWNS

How to leave out the places that saw our beloved members grow? Each of these cities are worth visiting for their own reasons. Further or closer to Seoul, all of them are only a train ride away.

Ilsan, Gwancheon, Gwanju, Daegu, and Busan, where you can visit Jimin's father's cafe, MAGNATE (135 Jinnah-ro, Daeyeeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan).

There are so many more places I have left out of the list, and I promise to come back with more son. In the meantime, here concludes the tour! Thank you for travelling with me through this beautiful country by the hand of BTS.

Have you been to South Korea? Or visited any of these wonderful landmarks? Let me know, I would love to know your opinions and tips!