BTS Tribute Tour: Exploring the Present
In my last article, I wrote about the places that are important to BTS when they were trainees and when they first debuted as a group.
This time, we shall explore the places that they went to in recent years, either as performers, or for a vlog or Run BTS episode, or had a hand in making popular.
Jamsil Sports Complex Olympic Main Stadium 서울올림픽주경기장
BTS first performed at the Jamsil Olympic stadium in 2018 for their Love Yourself World Tour, and again in 2019 for the Love Yourself World Tour: Speak Yourself. The most recent concert they held there was Permission to Dance on Stage in 2022. They also filmed Run BTS Telepathy there, and you can recreate the photos they posted on Instagram. It’s relatively empty when there isn’t an event so be as silly as you want to be!
The BTS handprints are also close to the stadium. They aren’t directly in front or next to it but walk about five to ten minutes along the path and you will see the Music Star Zone. There you will find handprints of 35 musicians who have performed at the stadium including IU and TWICE. Spoiler alert, IU has tiny hands!
Address: 25 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Address in Hangul: 서울 송파구 올림픽로 25
Subway Station: Jamsil Station, Line 2 and 8
Vinyl & Plastic by Hyundai Card 현대카드 바이닐앤플라스틱
Located in the Itaewon neighborhood, Vinyl & Plastic is in this cool looking shipping container building that’s connected to the Hyundai Card Music Library. BTS performed Dynamite live for the first time in Vinyl & Plastic for NPR’s Tiny Desk series on September 21, 2020. They also performed Save Me and the beloved hit Spring Day. You can listen to vinyl records in the store, but you will have to reserve a slot.
Address: 248 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Address in Hangul: 서울 용산구 이태원로 248
Opening Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday and public holidays 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Closed on Monday and during Lunar New Year/Chuseok holidays
BTS is known for supporting local Korean brands and Hanna543 is a jewelry store that they often get their pieces from. I went to the Hannam-dong branch but there is a branch at Gangnam too. If you visit Vinyl & Plastics, you can walk down this long staircase to the Hannam district and Hanna543 is about five minutes away. There are other little cafes, restaurants and boutiques in the area too. The jewelry pieces at Hannam are made of 925 silver and are reasonably priced, and the BTS pieces are set in a corner and labelled with specific members’ names.
Gangnam Branch: 49, Nonhyeon-ro 153-gil, Gangnam, Seoul
Address in Hangul: 서울 강남구 논현로153길 49 1층 한나
Subway Station: Sinsa station line 3, exit 8
Hannam Branch: Daesagwan-ro 5-gil 17, Yongsan-gu Seoul
Address in Hangul: 서울 용산구 대사관로5길 17 1층 HANNA543 한남점
Opening Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Monday, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
During the height of the pandemic in 2020, with lockdowns taking place in multiple countries, BTS comforted millions by performing twice at Gyeongbokgung Palace. In October, they performed Dynamite at the Geunjeongjeon Grand Residence in Gyeongbokgung Palace, with the stunning ancient backdrop. They also performed Idol and Mikrokosmos for the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon at the Gyeonghoeru Pavillion.
You can rent a traditional hanbok from any of the stores across the road from the entrance of the palace and pretend to be a Joseon era swordsman or princess. The palace has strict closing hours and will start chasing people out almost 30 minutes before the official closing time, so do plan enough time to wander about the area. If you visit from September 1 to October 29, the palace will also be open at night and lit up beautifully from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Address: 161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Address in Hangul: 서울 종로구 사직로 161
Subway Station: Gyeongbokgung Station, Line 3 (Exit 5), or Line 5 (Exit 2)
Opening Hours:
January to February: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
March to May: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
June to August: 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
September to October: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
November to December: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
*Last entry time: 1 hour before closing
*Closed on every Tuesday
Bighit Entertainment was founded in 2005 and through many trials and tribulations, this small company grew to become Hybe Corporation thanks to the hard work and massive success of BTS and the foresight of music producer Bang Si-Hyuk. Unfortunately, Hybe Insight the museum is shut down at the headquarters to make way for more practice rooms. But you can still pay a visit to the building itself and take lots of photos along the wall.
There are also cafes behind the building that pay homage to BTS. Café Black Drum has the entire place decorated with BTS memorabilia and they also host member birthdays and album release events. You really won’t miss it, there are huge posters right at the door!
Address: 42 Hangang-daero, Seoul
Address in Hangul: 서울 용산구 한강대로 42
Café Black Drum: Seoul, Yongsan-gu, Hangangno 3(sam)-ga, Hangang-daero 10-gil, 11-21
In 2022, BANGTANTV on Youtube posted individual member vlogs where they filmed themselves doing different activities. Jimin’s vlog reflected his love for jewelry as he embarked in creating his own silver cuff bracelet from start to finish.
If you love making your own souvenir on your vacation, book a Jimin bracelet making session at the Silver Kit House by messaging the teacher/owner on Instagram. If you book it early enough, he will let you use Jimin’s apron and tools and sit at his spot. It was the most fun I had in my Seoul trip and I ended up with a really cool souvenir! You can also explore the neighborhood of Sinheung-ro by riding the funicular up to the top of the hill and checking out the beautiful art lining the walls.
Address: 6 Sinheung-ro 36-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Address in Hangul: 서울 용산구 신흥로36길 6 1층복사
Opening hours: by appointment
Line Friends Flagship Stores 라인프렌즈
BTS had a hand in creating their own BT21 characters and who doesn’t love their fluffy alter egos? The prices of Line Friends items are cheaper in South Korea so take this opportunity to stock up on gifts for friends or for yourself! There are stores in Gangnam and Hongdae but I think the one in Hongdae is slightly larger and had more items. Keep your eyes open for special temporary pop-up stores in various neighborhoods.
Hongdae Address: 141 Yanghwa-ro, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Address in Hangul: 서울 마포구 양화로 141
Gangnam Address: 437 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Address in Hangul: 서울 서초구 강남대로 437 1~2층
Opening Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
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