Direction and Purpose: This itinerary is focused on 7-day exploration of Seoul, the capital of South Korea, with a deep dive into the popular culture phenomenon – Korean pop culture (K-pop). It includes activities such as visiting popular K-pop landmarks, attending concerts, experiencing K-pop dance and fashion, dining at K-pop themed cafes, and more.
Day 1: Arrival and K-Pop Themed Dinner
Transportation: Incheon International Airport to downtown Seoul by Airport Express train (45 min, $4)
Hotel recommendation: The Plaza Hotel Seoul (luxury), Hotel Cappuccino (mid-range), Hostel Haru (budget)
After checking in, start the evening by heading to the K-Pop themed restaurant, TwiceCoaster, for dinner. Here you can enjoy a meal inspired by your favorite idols and take in the K-Pop ambiance.
Day 2: K-Pop Landmarks, Shopping, and Nightlife
Transportation: Subway Line 2 from City Hall Station to Gangnam Station (15 min, $1.2)
Begin the day with a visit to SM Town Coex Artium, a multi-story complex dedicated to K-pop with exhibitions, interactive games, shops, and cafes. Then, head to the nearby SMTOWN Theatre for an immersive concert experience.
For shopping, head to Gangnam Underground Shopping Center, which sells K-Pop idol merchandise, as well as Korean cosmetic and fashion goods. Continue to the Garosu-gil area, which is home to trendy boutiques, cafes, and galleries.
Finish off the night in Hongdae, a popular nightlife district filled with K-Pop themed dance clubs such as NB2, Cocoon Lounge, and M2.
Day 3: K-Pop Dance Class and Music Show
Transportation: Subway Line 2 from City Hall Station to Hapjeong Station (20 min, $1.5)
Start the day with a K-Pop dance class at 1Million Dance Studio, where you can learn the latest dance moves from professional choreographers. Then, head to the nearby YG Entertainment building, where you can take photos of the impressive building facade and the company’s artist showcase in the lobby.
In the evening, attend a live music show at the JYP Entertainment headquarters where you can see some of your favorite idols perform onstage.
Day 4: K-Pop Fashion and Beauty Experiences
Transportation: Subway Line 6 from Hapjeong Station to Itaewon Station (15 min, $1.2)
Begin the day with a visit to the K-Style Hub in Cheonggyecheon to learn about K-Pop fashion trends and participate in the K-Beauty workshop, where you can try on Korean makeup and skincare products. Then, head to the flagship store of fashion brand Stylenanda in Myeong-dong, where you can purchase the latest K-Pop fashion apparel and accessories.
In the evening, visit the Gangnam district to experience the K-Pop Hair Salon where you can get a new haircut or hair dye inspired by your favorite idol.
Day 5: K-Pop Museum and Karaoke
Transportation: Subway Line 6 from Itaewon Station to Digital Media City Station (30 min, $1.5)
Start the day by visiting the K-Pop Museum at the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards for a look at the history of K-pop in Korea. Then, head to Dongdaemun Design Plaza, which hosts different exhibitions and events, such as the Korean Crafts & Design Foundation exhibition.
Cap off the day with a K-Pop-themed Karaoke experience at the Space Karaoke in Gangnam, where you can sing tunes by your favorite K-Pop idols in private rooms.
Day 6: K-Pop Cafe Tour and Dinner
Transportation: Subway Line 6 from Digital Media City Station to Sangsu Station (20 min, $1.5)
Start the day with a coffee break at the GD Cafe in Jeongdong-gil, run by the Big Bang member and fashion icon – G-Dragon, which offers trendy fashion items and a special signature menu. Afterward, visit the vibrant Hongdae area and check out the new pop-up cafes inspired by K-Pop groups such as BT21 Cafe, TWICE Cafe, and Blackpink Cafe.
In the evening, savor a K-Pop inspired dinner at the BTS Pop-up Store and Cafe, which offers a variety of themed drinks and snacks from the internationally popular K-Pop boy group BTS.
Day 7: Departure
Transportation: Subway Line 2 from City Hall Station to Incheon International Airport (1 hr, $4)
Depending on your departure time, visit the shopping district of Myeongdong for some last-minute K-Pop merchandise or grab a quick bite at the Gudetama Cafe or Hello Kitty Cafe. Head to Incheon International Airport by subway or airport limousine for your flight back home.
FAQs:
1. Can I attend a K-Pop concert during my stay in Seoul?
Yes, you can attend K-Pop concerts at various venues such as the Olympic Park Gymnastics Arena, Jamsil Arena, and Gocheok Sky Dome. Tickets can be purchased online through ticketing websites like Interpark, Yes24, or Melon Ticket.
2. Can I visit the K-Pop agencies and artist’s dormitories?
No, most K-Pop agencies do not allow visitors to enter their buildings or their artist’s dormitories. However, you can take photos of some of the exterior buildings and visit the artist showcase in some of the lobbies.
3. Are there any K-Pop fan events or fan meetings in Seoul?
Yes, there are fan events and fan meetings held in Seoul, which can be found on social media pages such as Twitter and Facebook when an artist announces their promotion schedule.
