K-pop places in Seoul and beyond

KWANGYA@SEOUL

SM Entertainment artists

Why fans go

• SM Entertainment's flagship store, run by its affiliate SM Brand Marketing and opened in November 2022.
• Albums and official merch for SM artists, plus exhibition and experience zones.

Getting there

Seoul Forest Stn (Suin-Bundang Line) Exit 5, about 70 m

Hours

Daily 10:30-20:00 (closed on Seollal and Chuseok; closures announced on Instagram @kwangya_seoul)

Tips

• Free entry.
• The public space is the B1 store.
• During comebacks and events it gets busy and may switch to reservations, so check the official Instagram first.

Source: english.visitseoul.netLast checked 2026-10-31

Ktown4u COEX

Why fans go

• A large multi-label store for albums and merch.
• It sits in the COEX Artium building (the former SMTOWN COEX Artium site) with a store, K-pop academy, cafe and pop-up space.

Getting there

Samseong Stn (Line 2): use the gate between Exits 5 and 6, walk straight through Millennium Square, go up the stairs next to Starbucks; it's the building on the right

Hours

2F and 4F 11:00-20:00 / 3F 12:00-22:00

Tips

• Items bought in store can only be exchanged at that store, so check them right away.
• Albums bought at pop-up events can't be returned for a change of mind.

Source: ktown4u.comLast checked 2026-10-30

Ktown4u Insadong

Why fans go

• Sells K-pop albums and stationery, with an in-store cafe serving artist-themed drinks and desserts.
• Easy to combine with sightseeing in Insadong.

Getting there

Anguk Stn (Line 3) Exit 6, walk into Insadong-gil, about 120 m

Hours

12:00-20:00

Tips

• Exchanges only at the store where you bought.
• Hours are from the official page and may change.

Source: ktown4u.comLast checked 2026-10-30

Withmuu Myeongdong

Why fans go

• A K-pop store chain selling albums and official merch from many labels.
• Its official site was still posting official concert merch sales and fan-sign events in October 2026.

Getting there

Walk from Myeongdong Stn (Line 4) (check the exit on a map app)

Hours

Daily 11:00-21:00; store phone 02-778-1765

Tips

• Fan-sign and lucky-draw entries have different rules for each album, so read the notice on the official site first.
• Easy to fit into a Myeongdong shopping walk.

Source: withmuu.comLast checked 2026-10-31

Withmuu AK PLAZA Hongdae

Why fans go

A K-pop store opened in April 2022 by AK Plaza and Copan Global, selling albums and merch.

Getting there

Hongik Univ. Stn (Line 2 / AREX / Gyeongui-Jungang), AK& Hongdae building by Exit 4, 2nd floor

Hours

Mon-Fri 11:00-22:00, Sat-Sun 10:30-22:00; store phone 02-332-0429

Tips

Hongik Univ. Stn is on the airport railroad, so it's easy on arrival or departure day.

Source: withmuu.comLast checked 2026-10-31

Withmuu Yongsan I'Park Mall

Why fans go

An album and official merch store inside a mall attached to the station.

Getting there

I'Park Mall (connected to Yongsan Stn, Line 1 / Gyeongui-Jungang), Living Park 6F

Hours

Mon-Thu and Sun 10:30-20:30, Fri-Sat 10:30-21:00; store phone 02-2012-2525

Tips

Pairs well with the HYBE Yongsan lobby pop-up on the same day (check each schedule separately).

Source: withmuu.comLast checked 2026-10-31

Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun (Hottracks)

Why fans go

• The music section inside a major bookstore.
• It runs release photocard giveaways announced on the store notice page (e.g., hrtz.wav's 1st mini album, April 2026).

Getting there

Near Gwanghwamun Stn (Line 5); also walkable from Jonggak Stn (Line 1)

Hours

Daily 09:30-22:00 (closed on Seollal and Chuseok day)

Tips

• Benefits are limited by album, period and quantity, so check conditions on the store's event notices.
• A good backup when a flagship is sold out.

Source: store.kyobobook.co.krLast checked 2026-10-30

HYBE Yongsan HQ Lobby Pop-up Store

HYBE · BTS (first pop-up)

Why fans go

• A pop-up space HYBE built in part of its HQ lobby in March 2026.
• The first was BTS's 5th album ARIRANG pop-up (Mar 20 - Apr 12, 2026), and pop-ups have continued with HYBE Music Group releases (Yeonjun in July, LE SSERAFIM in September, BTS DALMAJUNG in Sep-Oct, ILLIT in October).

Getting there

Walk from Sinyongsan Stn (Line 4) or Yongsan Stn (Line 1) (check the exit on a map app)

Hours

Varies by pop-up (11:00-20:00 in 2026 notices; check the official HYBE MERCH X account and each artist's Weverse notices)

Tips

• 2026 pop-ups use Weverse advance booking, even if you only want to buy an album.
• ILLIT runs to Oct 31 and TWS runs Nov 2-7.
• There's nothing to enter between pop-ups, and the building beyond the lobby is staff-only.
• Don't wait outside for artists.

Source: weverse.ioLast checked 2026-10-30

HiKR Ground

Why fans go

• A K-culture experience center run by the Korea Tourism Organization.
• Studios with music-video-style backdrops let you shoot photos and clips like an idol, plus a giant media wall.

Getting there

Jonggak Stn (Line 1) Exit 5, about 220 m

Hours

Tue-Sun 10:00-20:00 (closed Mondays), free entry

Tips

• Exhibitions rotate (a K-drama exhibition runs Sep 18 - Nov 19, 2026).
• Free, so it's good for a rainy day or your arrival day.

Source: mediahub.seoul.go.krLast checked 2026-10-30

Yoojung Sikdang (restaurant)

BTS

Why fans go

• Featured in Gangnam-gu's official magazine on a 'follow BTS in Nonhyeon-dong' walk.
• It's described as a place BTS often ate in their trainee days; the walls are full of fan messages.
• The black-pork stone-pot bibimbap is nicknamed 'Bangtan bibimbap'.

Getting there

Walk from Hakdong Stn (Line 7) (check the route on a map app)

Hours

No official listing; check before you go

Tips

• It's a residential area, so keep it quiet.
• Don't seek out former offices, dorms or other private places nearby.

Source: gangnam.go.krLast checked 2026-10-30

Gwanghwamun Square

BTS

Why fans go

Where BTS held the free concert 'BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG' on March 21, 2026, for their 5th album, streamed worldwide on Netflix.

Getting there

Right by Gwanghwamun Stn (Line 5)

Hours

Public square, open at all times

Tips

• The stage is gone.
• Combine with Gyeongbokgung and Kyobo Book Centre on foot.
• Parts may be closed for rallies or events.

Source: korea.krLast checked 2026-10-30

KSPO DOME (Olympic Park)

Why fans go

• A 15,000-seat arena the operator calls Korea's largest arena-type concert hall.
• K-pop solo concerts are often held here.

Getting there

• Olympic Park Stn (Lines 5, 9) Exit 3/4, Mongchontoseong Stn (Line 8) Exit 1, Hanseong Baekje Stn (Line 9) Exit 2.
• These are park exits; use a map app for the walk to the dome

Hours

Open only on event days (the park itself runs separately)

Tips

• You can walk the park on non-event days.
• Overseas bookings may need on-site pickup or ID checks, so follow the ticketing site's notice.

Source: ksponco.or.krLast checked 2026-10-30

BTS Bus Stop (Jumunjin Beach)

BTS

Why fans go

• Where the cover of BTS's YOU NEVER WALK ALONE (2017) was shot.
• Gangneung City's tourism portal lists it as the BTS Bus Stop.

Getting there

From Gangneung Stn (KTX), go by taxi or car (check local bus routes on Gangneung city bus info)

Hours

Outdoors, no admission fee

Tips

• It's a rebuilt replica of the set, so real buses don't stop here.
• Take turns if there's a photo line.
• A day trip from Seoul is possible, but allow plenty of travel time.

Source: gn.go.krLast checked 2026-10-30

HYBE INSIGHT (closed)

HYBE

Why fans go

• HYBE's music museum in the HQ basement.
• It closed on January 15, 2023, and no reopening has been confirmed.
• Listed here because older guides still mention it.

Getting there

N/A (closed)

Hours

Closed

Tips

Use the HYBE lobby pop-up store instead (check its schedule).

Source: bandwagon.asiaLast checked 2026-10-30

SMTOWN COEX Artium (closed)

SM Entertainment

Why fans go

• SM Entertainment's complex, run from 2015.
• It closed in 2020 when the lease ended (museum in May, store in June).
• SM's official store is now KWANGYA@SEOUL in Seongsu.

Getting there

N/A (closed)

Hours

Closed

Tips

The same building (COEX Artium) now houses Ktown4u COEX.

Source: soompi.comLast checked 2026-10-30