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Exploring BTS’s Favorite Spots in Seoul: A K-Pop Fan’s Travel Guide : Welcome Army!

🌏 Why Follow BTS’s Seoul Footsteps?

If you love K-pop and BTS, visiting Seoul is more than just sightseeing — it’s about stepping into the same places your idols have walked. From iconic cafes to filming locations, Seoul offers countless opportunities to experience BTS’s lifestyle and culture.

In this guide, I’ll introduce you to top BTS landmarks that international fans shouldn’t miss. Whether you’re an ARMY on pilgrimage or just a curious K-drama/K-pop fan, these places will make your trip unforgettable.

☕ 1. BTS Café Spots

HYBE Insight Museum & Café

Location: Yongsan, near Yongsan Station.
What to Expect: HYBE Insight is a museum dedicated to BTS and other HYBE artists. Inside, you’ll find exhibitions, music experiences, and a BTS-themed café with drinks and desserts inspired by the group.
Tickets: 25,000 KRW (~$18)
Why Visit: It’s the official home of BTS culture, run by their company HYBE.

HYBE building in Yongsan — home of BTS’s management

The Famous BT21 Café

Location: Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam (LINE Friends Stores)
What to Expect: A must-visit for fans of BT21, the characters designed by BTS members. You can shop exclusive merch, enjoy themed drinks, and take photos with giant BT21 statues.
Price Range: 5,000–10,000 KRW (~$4–8) for coffee and desserts.

🎬 2. BTS Filming Locations

Itaewon (Seoul’s Global Street)

BTS’s RM and other members have often been spotted here, exploring international restaurants and vintage shops.
K-dramas like Itaewon Class were also filmed in this area, making it a double treat for fans of both K-pop and K-drama.

Namsan Tower (Love Locks Area)

As mentioned in the previous post, BTS filmed several variety shows and V LIVE episodes here.
Perfect for selfies with ARMY Bombs (lightsticks) and recreating romantic K-drama scenes.

Han River Parks (Banpo, Yeouido, Ttukseom)

BTS often talks about enjoying late-night snacks by the Han River.
Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain is a must-see at night.
Tip: Bring convenience store ramen or chicken to experience the local picnic culture just like BTS!

Han River — a favorite hangout spot for locals and idols alike

🛍️ 3. Shopping Like BTS

Myeongdong Street

Known for skincare and K-pop shops, you’ll find official BTS albums, posters, and photocards.
Many ARMY fans gather here to shop exclusive limited editions.

Hyundai Department Store (The Hyundai Seoul)

A luxury shopping mall where idols are often spotted.
Occasionally, pop-up stores feature BTS-themed exhibitions or merchandise.

🎶 4. BTS Music Video Locations

Yoongi’s (SUGA) “Daechwita” MV was filmed in the Korean Folk Village (Yongin, ~1 hour from Seoul).
“Spring Day” MV scenes resemble Yongma Land, an abandoned amusement park in Seoul, popular for photo shoots.
Fans often create DIY MV tours to visit these iconic locations.

🍜 5. Food BTS Loves

Yoojung Sikdang (Restaurant) near HYBE’s old building in Gangnam.
- Famous for being BTS’s go-to restaurant during trainee days.
- Signature dish: Bulgogi set menu (~8,000 KRW, $6).
Kimbap Cheonguk (Snack Restaurant)
- A casual chain where BTS members ate during practice days.
- Affordable and authentically Korean.

💡 Practical Tips for BTS Fans

Use Naver Maps or Kakao Maps – Google Maps doesn’t work well in Korea.
Get a T-money card – Needed for subway, bus, and even convenience store snacks.
Plan Weekdays Visits – Popular BTS spots like HYBE Insight get crowded on weekends.
Respect Local Rules – These are real businesses and neighborhoods, not just tourist spots.

📸 Suggested Photo Spots

HYBE building (in front of the logo wall)
Han River benches at sunset
Namsan Tower love locks with ARMY messages
BT21 statues in LINE Friends stores

🎯 Final Thoughts

For many fans, coming to Seoul is like coming home to BTS. Walking the same streets, eating at their favorite restaurants, and visiting filming sites connects you more deeply to the music and culture you already love.

So if your journey started at Incheon Airport → Namsan Tower, make the next step a full BTS pilgrimage. Who knows? You might even bump into other ARMYs along the way! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

💜Stay tuned for my next guide — I’ll share how to experience K-drama locations in Seoul that every fan should visit!

💜 All images were taken from the official website.

From Incheon Airport to Namsan Tower: The Ultimate Guide for K-Pop and K-Drama Fans

✈️ From Incheon Airport to Namsan Tower: The Ultimate Guide for K-Pop and K-Drama Fans

Incheon International Airport — the main gateway to Korea

🌏 Why Namsan Tower is a Must-Visit for K-Pop and K-Drama Fans

If you’re traveling to Korea because you fell in love with K-pop, K-dramas, or groups like BTS, Namsan Tower (also known as N Seoul Tower) should be one of your first stops.
Located in the heart of Seoul, it is a landmark where many dramas were filmed, and it’s also a favorite date spot for K-pop idols. From the top, you’ll enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Seoul — perfect for your first Instagram or YouTube post in Korea.

Popular dramas like My Love From the Star and Itaewon Class featured this tower, making it a dream destination for fans.

🛫 Step 1: Arriving at Incheon International Airport

Once you land at Incheon Airport (ICN), you have several options to reach Seoul city center before heading to Namsan Tower. The distance is about 60 km (37 miles), and the trip takes 1–1.5 hours depending on transport.

🚄 Option 1: Airport Railroad Express (AREX) + Subway

Take the AREX Express Train from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station.
- Duration: ~45 minutes
- Cost: 9,500 KRW (~$7)
From Seoul Station, transfer to Seoul Subway Line 4 (Blue) and go to Myeongdong Station (2 stops).
Exit 3 from Myeongdong Station → walk 10–15 minutes uphill to the Namsan Cable Car station.

AREX Express Train to Seoul Station

🚌 Option 2: Airport Limousine Bus

Take Bus 6015 from Incheon Airport → Get off at Myeongdong Station stop.
Travel time: 70–80 minutes
Cost: 17,000 KRW (~$13)
From the bus stop, it’s a 10–15 minute walk to the Namsan Cable Car station.

🚕 Option 3: Taxi

Standard taxi: 70,000–90,000 KRW (~$55–70) depending on traffic.
Travel time: ~60 minutes.
Convenient if you have heavy luggage or arrive late at night.

⛰️ Step 2: Getting to Namsan Tower

Once you arrive near Myeongdong, you have three main ways to reach the top of Namsan Mountain where the tower stands:

🚠 Namsan Cable Car

Location: 10–15 minute walk from Myeongdong Station Exit 3.
Price (round trip): 14,000 KRW (~$10) for adults / 10,500 KRW (~$8) for children.
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM (weekdays) / 10:00 AM – midnight (weekends)
Duration: 3 minutes to the top.

Namsan Cable Car climbing up to the tower

🚌 Namsan Shuttle Bus

From Myeongdong Station Exit 3, take Namsan Sunhwan Shuttle Bus #05.
Fare: 1,200 KRW (~$1) with T-money card.
Duration: ~10 minutes to the tower bus stop.

🚶‍♀️ Hiking

If you love walking, Namsan has beautiful trails. It takes 30–40 minutes to hike from Myeongdong up to the tower. Along the way, you’ll pass scenic viewpoints and K-drama filming spots.

🎟️ Namsan Tower Admission & Tickets

Observatory Entrance Fee:
- Adults: 21,000 KRW (~$15)
- Teenagers (13–18): 18,000 KRW (~$13)
- Children (ages 3–12): 15,000 KRW (~$11)
Opening Hours:
- 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Sun–Thu)
- 10:00 AM – midnight (Fri–Sat, holidays)

Namsan Tower beautifully lit up at night

💖 Must-Do Activities at Namsan Tower

Love Locks – Just like in K-dramas, couples attach colorful locks with messages on the fences.
K-Drama Photo Spots – Recreate scenes from My Love From the Star or Boys Over Flowers.
Hanbok Experience – Rent traditional Korean clothing for a unique cultural photo shoot.
Dining – The tower has cafés and restaurants with stunning city views.

✨ Pro Tips for Foreign Travelers

T-money Card: Get this transportation card at the airport for buses/subways.
Wi-Fi & SIM: Rent a SIM card or Wi-Fi egg at Incheon Airport so you can use Naver/Google Maps.
Timing: Best time to visit is sunset — you can enjoy both daytime and night views.
K-pop Add-on: After visiting the tower, explore Myeongdong shopping street where you can find BTS and K-pop merchandise.

📌 Final Thoughts

Visiting Namsan Tower is the perfect first step in your Korean journey. For fans of BTS, K-pop, and K-dramas, this landmark combines culture, romance, and stunning cityscapes. Whether you ride the cable car, take the bus, or hike up, the view from the top will stay in your heart forever.

Stay tuned for my next guide — I’ll show you how to visit BTS’s favorite spots in Seoul!

💜All images were taken from the official website.

Rena's Korea Travel and Food