K-pop Self-Guided Travel Handbook for True Fans

If you're a K-pop enthusiast, spill the beans to Klook about the main goal of your upcoming Korea trip, shall we? Klook is absolutely sure that it's all about meeting those oppas, right? Understanding your mindset, Klook has prepared a detailed guide with many amazing tips and tricks to hunt down oppas for all true fangirls out there. The dream of meeting your idol is not far away anymore! So why hesitate? Follow Klook right away!

Note: The place with the most Jin oppa (BTS) 'thumbs up' photos is where your chance of meeting your idol is higher.

Isn't the frequent haunt of idols their management company? Here, groups and singers come to practice dance moves, vocal training, and recording until late at night. If you hope to meet your idol at least once on your trip, you should wait in front of the building, but remember to be orderly and not make noise. You also have the chance to find some BTS memorabilia here. But actually... Klook is joking, don't mess around and dive into this trash heap, it's really dirty!!!

If you're not a fan of wandering around and you're the 'directionally challenged' type, you can book the Seoul Private Car Rental Service right away at a super reasonable price if you're traveling with friends.

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YG Entertainment is home to famous artists not only in Korea but worldwide such as Big Bang, 2NE1, Blackpink, Winner, iKon,… Even from afar, you can easily spot the company's headquarters with its unique architecture, standing out from the residential area in Mapo-gu. Renowned for its super convenient cafeteria and delicious food resembling high-end restaurants, you may be lucky enough to catch sight of the beautiful Blackpink members stepping out of their cars and heading into the building for practice.

Address: 397-5 Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Nearest subway station: Hapjeong Station (Exit 8)

Directions: When you reach Hapjeong Station, take Exit 8. Walk past the SK Oil gas station and keep going. Pass Hotel Circle and at the second intersection, make a right turn. You'll see the YG building on your left, next to the GS25 convenience store.

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If you're an SM fanboy or fangirl, you can't miss a trip to the SM building. Just like YG, SM boasts top-tier artists like EXO, SNSD, Super Junior, SHINee, Red Velvet, which is why SM Entertainment's location in the posh Gangnam district of Seoul, South Korea, makes perfect sense. Don't forget to visit SMTOWN @coexartium for some spectacular 3D hologram performances!

Klook Tip: The SM headquarters is located opposite the Hangang Park. Remember to bring along some snacks while waiting for your Exo oppas to appear!

Address: 114, Seolleung-ro 190-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Nearest Train Station: Apgujeong Rodeo Station (Exit 1)

Directions: After exiting the train station, turn right and continue straight. Look for signs pointing to Hangang Park and then turn right. Keep walking until you see the SM building (on your right-hand side).

When talking about the 'Big Three' entertainment companies in Korea, it's incomplete without mentioning JYP Entertainment, home to iconic groups like Twice, Got7, Day6.... JYP building is conveniently close to SM, so you can explore both places in a day! The entrance of JYP Entertainment is always decorated to celebrate the artists' birthdays, so plan your visit on your bias's birthday to capture some amazing photos!

Klook Tip: Across from the JYP building is a Dunkin Donuts shop. You can grab a drink here and wait until your idol shows up!

Address: 41 Apgujeong-ro 79-gil, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Nearest Train Station: Cheongdam Station (Exit 9)

Directions: Exit the train station and walk straight until you cross the road. Turn right and continue straight until you reach the third alley, then turn left. Keep walking until you see the building.

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Big Hit is the management company of the globally renowned music group, none other than BTS. In 2017, the Big Hit building underwent renovations, upgrading its appearance significantly. While there aren't as many eateries nearby compared to JYP, you might still get lucky and encounter your idols. There's a signboard in front of the building requesting fans not to write or draw on the walls, so remember to adhere to the regulations when visiting.

Address: Yangjin Plaza 5F, 5 Hakdong-ro, 30-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Nearest Train Station: Hakdong Station (Exit 3)

Directions: Upon exiting the train station, proceed straight. Then, turn left and continue straight until you spot Yangjin Plaza on the left side. The Big Hit company encompasses 6 floors, from the 2nd to the 7th floor.

Image Source: Ceci

Similar to SM, Cube also has a coffee shop named '20 SPACE' below the main office. Here, you can select your favorite beverage, purchase some souvenirs, and await the appearance of your idols!

Address: 83 Achasan-ro Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Nearest Train Station: Seongsu Station (Exit 1)

Directions: Take the escalator down and continue straight. Cube Entertainment is on your right-hand side.

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What's better than enjoying a fragrant cup of coffee at your favorite oppa's own cafe? Lately, many K-pop idols have been opening their own cafes and restaurants, offering a unique chance for fans to meet their beloved idols. Below are the most notable cafes that the K-pop fan community is paying attention to.

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One of the most sought-after cafes by fans is the Mouse Rabbit Café. The cafe is known to be owned by Yesung (Super Junior) and his younger brother. It's famous for its cozy atmosphere and unique desserts. Located in Gwangjin, the cafe is easy to find if you travel from Konkuk University subway station. If you're lucky, you might even meet Yesung oppa there!

Klook Tip: Yesung often visits the cafe and even takes orders from fans. If you're a Yesung fan, you definitely can't miss out on this opportunity!

Address: 5-14 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Nearest Train Station: Konuk University (Exit 2)

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Untitled 2017 café, designed and decorated by G-Dragon, the leader of Big Bang. You probably know that Unitiled 2017 officially opened just 2 days before he enlisted in the military. With luxurious architecture and everything from cups, bottles to furniture designed by GD, V.I.Ps can freely touch exclusive products. The bowling alley and bar are also promised to open soon. V.I.Ps, are you ready to explore this fancy café in Jeju?

Address: 38 Shinhwayeoksa-ro, 304-gil, Andeok-myeon Seogwipo-si, Jeju, South Korea

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The Min’s is the café of 2AM and Changmin (HOMME). Located in Apgujeong, famous for refreshing summer drinks like lemonade and cherryade. Changmin's mother works behind the counter and often reveals to fans when Changmin visits the shop. The café's interior is heavily influenced by K-pop style, so it's worth experiencing at least once.

Klook Tip: BTS boys often visit the café to support senior Changmin. If you're BTS, you should also check out this café.

Address: Apgujeong-ro 330, 01-112, Seoul, South Korea

Nearest subway station: Apgujeong Station (Exit 6)

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Although this café doesn't belong to any artist, Klook ensures you'll have more chances to get close to your idols here. SUM is not just a café, it also displays many accessories, lightsticks, and albums of SM's artists. You can see huge posters of EXO or Red Velvet MVs playing here. The drink menu is inspired by artists' favorites like Heechul's cupcakes, Super Junior popcorn, or TVXQ ramen!

Klook Tip: SM artists often frequent the building, so if you wish to meet your oppas or unnies, hurry over to SUM Café!

Address: 52-1 Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Nearest subway station: Cheongdamn Station (Exit 6)

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As a K-pop fan, you're always looking forward to your idols' performances on M-countdown, Music Core, Music Bank, or Inkigayo stages every week, right? You may wonder if there's a chance to attend these shows in Korea. Even though it's a bit challenging for international fans, with Klook's tip, you'll secure a spot to watch your oppas perform!

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Attending Show Champion is considered the easiest among other music programs of the week, as you just need to arrive early and queue up to get in.

There are 2 ways to enter: through the fanclub or through the regular entrance. If you want to participate as a fan, you need to bring along the latest album of the group and a cheering lightstick. Pretty simple, right?

Some groups may pre-record for the performance. This means they won't perform live, so make sure to check if your favorite group will pre-record or not. Staff will let fans into the hall at 17:30 so make sure to arrive early!

Address: Bitmaru Broadcasting Centre, 815 Madu 1(il)-dong, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do

Nearest subway station: Juyeop Station (Exit 3)

Directions: Exit the subway station and cross the street. Walk through the park and the bridge, you will see the tall building of Bitmaru Broadcasting Centre. Cross the street and find where the fan group is queuing up.

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Requirements for M!Countdown are slightly harder than Show Champion because Mnet is one of the biggest television networks in South Korea.

To have the chance to enjoy performances by your favorite idols, you must first meet the basic requirements of M!Countdown. Depending on the level, you will have different privileges but first, you must own the latest CD and the official group slogan.

Let's explore the levels set by M!Countdown:

Address: CJ E&M Center, 66, Sangamsan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul Similar to Show Champion, some groups may pre-record their performances so be sure to check this carefully before attending, lest you be disappointed. Most top K-pop groups usually pre-record. Take note of this!

Nearest subway station: Digital Media City (Exit 9)

Directions: Exit the subway station and walk straight until you see SBS Prism on your left. Turn left and walk straight to CJ E&M (on the left side)

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The Show is the most easily accessible music program. You just need to sign up for an SBS account and apply to join the program. The system will randomly select the luckiest fans, meaning you don't need to belong to a fan club to have a chance to see your oppa.

If you're worried about not being on the lucky draw list, then sign up for the SBS MTV “The Show” Tour, and guarantee yourself a chance to see oppa up close by almost 100%!

Address: SBS Prism Tower, 82 Sangamsan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Nearest subway station: Digital Media City Station (Exit 9)

Directions: From the subway station exit, walk straight until you see SBS Prism Tower (on the left side).

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Fansign is the ultimate dream of fangirls. At a fansign event, you not only have the chance to get oppa's signature but also meet, hold hands, and have intimate conversations with your idol up close. It's rumored to be very difficult to get in here, but with Klook's tips, who knows, you might be lucky enough to attend a fansign event?

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Fansigns usually happen during the comeback period to promote the group's new songs, usually lasting at least 1 week to 1 month. The group's management company will announce the fansign schedule one week before the event on the official Daum fancafe or Twitter.

Klook's tip: Follow the @fansigndata_b account on Twitter to keep track of all Korean music group fansign schedules. If you're not familiar with the official fancafe, this is the best way to know when fansign events are happening.

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There are 2 types of fansigns: first-come, first-served and lucky draw.

Klook's tip: For the lucky draw format, your chances increase if you buy a lot of albums. For example, during BTS's Forever Young promotion, fans bought up to 90 CDs for a chance to meet their idols. Results are announced on the evening of the last day of the album purchase period, so remember to check at the store if you're one of the lucky ones! Both types of fansigns require you to buy albums from designated stores within a specific period. Make sure to check if the album purchase location is valid before buying. Then you'll be given a form to fill in your personal information. Remember to fill it in accurately because if your name doesn't match your passport, you'll lose your chance. Don't let this happen, Klook team!

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Each member only signs on one page of the photobook in the album the group is promoting, so remember to decide beforehand and only show the members the pages you want signed. You can bring handmade gifts, but make sure to check if they comply with regulations. Most groups only accept handwritten letters, but many members also enjoy taking photos with toys and headbands. Be creative with unique gifts to surprise the members.

Klook's Tip: Pre-glue a note paper with a question for the members on the page you want signed. The members will be ready to answer, but keep it short and sweet because the time for each fan is limited, so don't waste time.

To wander around Korea to meet the members, every fangirl's essential items are Korean 4G SIM Card and High-speed Train Card – Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS). With these two items, you'll have more convenience in traveling and, most importantly, enjoy taking various check-in photos to post on Facebook and Instagram! Register now to receive many attractive offers!