Is a K-Pop MV Filming Location Pilgrimage in Seoul Actually Worth It? My Honest Take
Quick answer first: yes, but only if you do it right. I spent a long weekend hitting up the most iconic K-pop music video filming locations in Seoul — Nodeul Island, Yongma Land, the BTS Bus Stop, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and a couple of cafes — and I had the time of my life. But I also wasted a few hours on spots that turned out to be underwhelming, so I'm writing this guide so you don't make the same mistakes I did. If you're a K-pop fan visiting Seoul (or already living here like me) and you want to walk in your bias's footsteps without burning your whole trip on Google Maps, this is the realistic itinerary I wish I'd had. I'll tell you what's actually worth visiting, what isn't, what to budget, and the small things that almost ruined my day.
Day One: Yongma Land, the K-Pop Filming Pilgrimage Holy Grail
Why Yongma Land Was My First Stop
Yongma Land is a tiny abandoned amusement park in northeast Seoul that has been used in something like a hundred K-pop music videos. BTS shot scenes for "Save Me" here. Stray Kids, NCT, IU, BLACKPINK, Red Velvet — pretty much every group you can name has filmed at Yongma Land at some point. The place feels like it was frozen in 1995 and never quite woke up. Rusted carousels, cracked Ferris wheel, faded paint. It is, honestly, kind of haunting in person — and that's exactly why MV directors keep coming back.
I paid the 10,000 KRW (about 7 USD) entrance fee at the little office near the gate. One thing nobody told me: if you want the carousel lit up at night, you have to pay extra (around 100,000 KRW). I was expecting it to just be on, like in the videos. So if you're going for those exact dreamy night shots, plan ahead and pool the cost with other fans you meet there.
The Honest Ugly Side
It's a hike to get to. Take Line 7 to Mangu Station, then it's about a 20-minute walk uphill. I went in March and was sweating through my coat by the time I arrived. Also, the place is genuinely small. You'll see everything in 45 minutes. So don't plan a full day around it — pair it with something else.
I'll be real with you, my photos didn't come out looking like an MV. The lighting was harsh, my outfit was wrong, and there were six other K-pop fans in every shot. Lower your expectations. The pilgrimage is more about being in the space than recreating the imagery.
Day One, Afternoon: Nodeul Island and the Han River
After Yongma Land I took the subway across the city to Nodeul Island, which is reachable via Exit 2 of Nodeul Station (Line 9). This is where BTS filmed parts of the "Run" music video, and it also appeared in their 2021 Season's Greetings shoot. Honestly, this was my favorite stop of the whole weekend.
Nodeul Island is a small artificial island in the Han River, right under the bridge. You walk down a long ramp to reach it, and once you're there, it feels like you've stepped out of Seoul entirely. There's a bookstore, several cafes, a tiny gallery, and big open grass spaces where Seoulites picnic at sunset.
I sat by the river for an hour, ate a kimbap from the convenience store, and watched the sun drop behind the bridge. Pro tip: arrive at least 90 minutes before sunset to get a good grass spot, especially on weekends. If you wait until golden hour, every bit of grass is occupied. I made that mistake on my second visit and had to sit on concrete.
Why This Spot Beat My Expectations
The thing is, Nodeul Island isn't aggressively marketed as a K-pop spot. There are no signs, no fan merchandise stalls, no tour guides. Which means you can actually feel the vibe BTS members might have felt. It's calm. It's romantic. It's the closest thing to "main character energy" I felt all weekend.
Day Two: BTS Bus Stop in Gangneung (Optional Day Trip)
This one is technically not in Seoul, but it's a popular pilgrimage extension. The BTS Bus Stop in Hyangho Beach, Gangneung, was the location of the iconic "Spring Day" music video shot. To get there, take a KTX from Seoul Station to Gangneung (around 2 hours, 26,000 KRW one way), then a 25-minute taxi ride.
Honestly? I'm in two minds about recommending this. The bus stop is real and beautifully placed against the East Sea coast. Standing there at sunrise was magical. But it's also a 4-hour round trip from Seoul plus transportation costs of about 80,000 KRW. If "Spring Day" is your favorite BTS song or the song that got you into K-pop, do it. Otherwise, save the day for cafes and merch shopping in Seoul.
What's Better: Themed Tour vs. Doing It Yourself?
I researched this a lot before my trip. Companies offer guided K-pop filming location tours that range from 80,000 to 200,000 KRW per person. They cover transportation, a guide who speaks English, and sometimes exclusive access. Doing it yourself like I did costs maybe 30,000 KRW total (subway, entrance fees, snacks).
| Comparison | Self-Guided Pilgrimage | Booked K-Pop Tour |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per day | 30,000~50,000 KRW | 80,000~200,000 KRW |
| Locations covered | 3~4 in a day | 5~7 in a day |
| English guidance | None | Yes |
| Flexibility | Total | Low (group schedule) |
| Insider stories | What you research | Real fan trivia |
| Best for | Confident travelers, budget fans | First-time visitors, group fun |
I think the tour is genuinely worth it if you're visiting Seoul for the first time and don't speak Korean. But if you live here like I do, or if you've done a Seoul trip before, doing it yourself is half the fun.
Beyond MVs: Idol Cafes and Entertainment Headquarters
Look, the music video locations are great, but a lot of the K-pop pilgrimage in Seoul actually happens at idol-connected cafes and the big four entertainment company buildings. I added these to my itinerary on Day Three.
Yoojung Sikdang in Gangnam
This restaurant is plastered with old BTS posters and signed merchandise. The members ate here back in their pre-debut days, and the owner kept everything. The food is decent Korean BBQ, but really, you go for the atmosphere. Be ready to wait. When I went on a Saturday night I waited an hour and a half. Lunch on a weekday is much smarter.
HYBE, SM, JYP, and YG Buildings
The big four entertainment company headquarters are in Seoul and you can walk past all of them in an afternoon. HYBE is in Yongsan, SM is in Seongsu, JYP is in Cheongdam, YG is in Hapjeong. I did a half-day route hitting HYBE and SM. There's nothing to do at most of these except take photos outside, but SM has SM Town Café where you can buy themed drinks and merch. That one is genuinely fun.
My Three-Day K-Pop Filming Location Itinerary
Here's the actual schedule I followed, with rough timings:
- Day 1 morning: Yongma Land (Mangu Station, Line 7). Allow 2.5 hours including transit.
- Day 1 afternoon to evening: Nodeul Island (Nodeul Station, Line 9) for sunset. Allow 3 hours.
- Day 2 morning: Gyeongbokgung Palace (BTS "IDOL" performance location, plus general K-pop photoshoot site). Wear hanbok for free entrance.
- Day 2 afternoon: Yoojung Sikdang lunch in Gangnam, then Olympic Park (BTS "Spring Day" footage was shot near here).
- Day 3 morning: HYBE building photo, walk around Yongsan, lunch.
- Day 3 afternoon: SM Town Café in Seongsu, casual cafe hopping in the area.
Rough total cost not including hotel and flights: around 200,000 KRW (about 145 USD) for transport, entrance fees, food, and a few souvenirs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yongma Land safe to visit alone as a foreigner?
Yes, completely. The owner of Yongma Land is friendly, there are usually a handful of other K-pop fans around, and the surrounding neighborhood is residential and quiet. The only concern is the walk uphill from Mangu Station, which is fine during daylight but a bit dim at night. I'd recommend going in the late morning or early afternoon if you're solo.
Can I get inside the HYBE or SM Entertainment buildings?
Mostly no. HYBE has a public lobby and merchandise shop on the ground floor where you can buy artist photo cards and albums. SM has a much more developed visitor experience with SM Town Café and an archive shop. JYP and YG don't have public entry points, so you'll just be taking exterior photos.
Do I need to speak Korean to do this filming location pilgrimage solo?
Not really. Subway signs and announcements are in English, Naver Maps and Google Maps both work fine, and most cafe staff in tourist-heavy areas speak basic English. You'll struggle a bit at Yongma Land where the older owner only speaks Korean, but a translation app gets you through. I'd say B1 Korean would make things smoother but A1 is enough.
What's the best time of year to do a K-pop MV pilgrimage in Seoul?
Late April to early June, or late September to mid-November. The weather is mild, the lighting is gorgeous for photos, and outdoor locations like Nodeul Island and Yongma Land are at their most photogenic. Avoid July and August unless you don't mind sweat-melted makeup, and December to February is doable but bring serious winter gear because most of these spots are outdoors.
Is the BTS Bus Stop in Gangneung worth the day trip from Seoul?
Honest answer: it's worth it once, in your lifetime, if "Spring Day" is meaningful to you. Otherwise it's a long round trip for a single photo. If you've already been to Seoul before and are revisiting Korea specifically as a fan, do it. If this is your first Korea trip, prioritize Seoul-based locations and save Gangneung for next time.
Final Thoughts: What This Pilgrimage Actually Felt Like
I want to be honest with you. The K-pop music video filming locations in Seoul are mostly just places. A bus stop. An island. An abandoned amusement park. The magic isn't in the locations themselves — it's in the act of going. Standing where my favorite group stood, breathing the same air, looking at the same view, brought me closer to the music in a way streaming a video on Spotify never could. If you're a fan visiting Seoul, do this pilgrimage. Don't overthink the itinerary. Hit two or three big spots, leave room for cafes and unplanned wandering, and let the city surprise you. For more practical guides, Visit Seoul's official K-pop tour page is a great starting point, and HiKR Ground in Jung-gu lets you actually film your own K-pop music video in their XR studio. Whatever you do, take photos, but also take a minute to put the phone down. That's when it actually hits you.