{"id":309504,"date":"2026-02-21T08:28:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T08:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/309504\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T08:28:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T08:28:15","slug":"trace-bts-history-through-these-7-tourist-spots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/309504\/","title":{"rendered":"Trace BTS’ history through these 7 tourist spots"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before the lights go up at Gwanghwamun in March, explore Seoul locations that shaped BTS<\/p>\n

\"BTS BTS poses in front of Geunjeongjeon at Gyeongbokgung, wearing hanbok-inspired attire ahead of a performance of “Idol” on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in 2020. (Big Hit Music) <\/p>\n

With just a month to go until BTS takes the stage at Gwanghwamun Square, anticipation is building across Seoul. The performance \u2014 marking the group\u2019s return to full-group activities after over three years \u2014 is drawing fans from around the world to the capital.<\/p>\n

Beyond the square itself, the city is dotted with places tied to BTS\u2019 journey. From historic landmarks to meaningful fan spaces, here are seven stops that add an extra layer of meaning to any concert trip.<\/p>\n

\"BTS BTS poses at Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in Gyeongbokgung ahead of a performance of “Mikrokosmos” on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in 2020. (Big Hit Music) <\/p>\n

Gyeongbokgung<\/p>\n

Jongno-gu, central Seoul<\/p>\n

Located just behind Gwanghwamun Square, Gyeongbokgung is not only the main royal palace of the Joseon era (1392-1910), but also one of BTS\u2019 most iconic stages.<\/p>\n

In 2020, BTS became the first K-pop group to perform at the palace, delivering \u201cIdol\u201d on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in front of Geunjeongjeon, the throne hall used for royal ceremonies. Dressed in modern hanbok, the members performed against the grand stone courtyard, blending tradition with contemporary pop. They also filmed a performance of \u201cDynamite\u201d at the site.<\/p>\n

Within the palace grounds, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion \u2014 historically used for royal banquets \u2014 served as the backdrop for \u201cMikrokosmos,\u201d further cementing the palace as a landmark in BTS\u2019 global broadcasts.<\/p>\n

\"BTS BTS poses in front of Sungnyemun ahead of a live performance of “Butter” aired on “Global Citizen Live” in 2021. (Big Hit Music) <\/p>\n

Sungnyemun<\/p>\n

Jung-gu, central Seoul<\/p>\n

Standing at the edge of Namdaemun Market and framed by Seoul\u2019s modern skyline, Sungnyemun is one of the capital\u2019s most enduring symbols. Designated as National Treasure No. 1, the 14th-century gate once formed part of the city\u2019s original fortress walls and has witnessed centuries of transformation, from dynastic rule to rapid urbanization.<\/p>\n

The landmark gained global visibility in 2021, when BTS performed \u201cButter\u201d in front of the gate for “Global Citizen Live,” a worldwide broadcast advocating for climate action and social equity.<\/p>\n

Today, Sungnyemun remains an accessible stop for fans exploring central Seoul ahead of the March 21 comeback show. Easily reached from Hoehyeon Station on Subway Line No. 4 or Seoul Station on Line Nos. 1 and 4, the gate is especially stunning after sunset, when its soft lighting highlights its intricate eaves and layered rooflines.<\/p>\n

\"The The BTS members throw graduation caps into the air at the National Museum of Korea for YouTube’s “Dear Class of 2020” campaign. (National Museum of Korea) <\/p>\n

National Museum of Korea<\/p>\n

Yongsan-gu, central Seoul<\/p>\n

The National Museum of Korea served as the backdrop for BTS\u2019 virtual commencement address during YouTube\u2019s 2020 \u201cDear Class of 2020\u201d campaign \u2014 a global graduation ceremony held for students whose celebrations were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking from inside the museum, the members delivered a heartfelt message of encouragement and congratulated graduates around the world.<\/p>\n

On the first floor of the museum\u2019s permanent exhibition hall, along the central corridor known as the \u201cPath of History,\u201d stickers and posters now mark the exact filming location \u2014 a popular photo spot for Army visiting the museum. The museum\u2019s courtyard, where BTS performed \u201cBoy With Luv,\u201d \u201cSpring Day\u201d and \u201cMikrokosmos\u201d for the same event, has similarly become a meaningful stop for fans.<\/p>\n

The museum was also the main stage for BTS\u2019 2021 Seoul tourism promotional video \u201cEoGiYeongCha,\u201d which has garnered over 83 million views on YouTube \u2014 making it the most-viewed installment in the group\u2019s Seoul tourism campaign series.<\/p>\n

\"BTS BTS poses on World Cup Bridge in Mapo-gu, western Seoul, ahead of their performance of “Butter” on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in 2021. (Big Hit Music) <\/p>\n

World Cup Bridge<\/p>\n

Mapo-gu, western Seoul<\/p>\n

Since opening to the public in 2021, the bridge has earned an unofficial nickname among BTS fans: the \u201cBTS Bridge.\u201d<\/p>\n

The group performed \u201cButter\u201d on the empty span for “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” the same year. Unable to travel to New York due to COVID-19 restrictions, they filmed the performance on the bridge, transforming the roadway overlooking the Han River into a cinematic stage.<\/p>\n

After sunset, colorful lights illuminate the bridge, reflecting across the water. Mangwon Hangang Park and Haneul Park offer some of the best vantage points for photos.<\/p>\n

\"A A bench dedicated to BTS member RM at Seoul Forest in Seongdong-gu, eastern Seoul, reads: “We’re each other’s landscape, each other’s moon.” (Seoul Forest Park Conservancy) <\/p>\n

BTS benches at Seoul Forest<\/p>\n

Seongdong-gu, eastern Seoul<\/p>\n

Seoul Forest, which sits next to the popular tourist destination Seongsu-dong, has become a must-visit stop for BTS fans.<\/p>\n

The benches, created through voluntary donations from fans and dedicated to members, are scattered around the park, making the search for them feel like a treasure hunt for fans as they take a casual stroll.<\/p>\n

For instance, at the ginkgo tree forest in Seoul Forest sits a bench dedicated to RM bearing the lyric: \u201cWe\u2019re each other\u2019s landscape, each other\u2019s moon.\u201d Near the park’s skate plaza sits another bench dedicated to Suga, known as the \u201cYoongi Bench,\u201d with the lyrics: \u201cI hope you lean on me and rest from time to time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Posters Posters and fan drawings of BTS are on display at Yoojung Sikdang in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul. (Lee Jung-joo\/The Korea Herald) <\/p>\n

Yoojung Sikdang<\/p>\n

Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul<\/p>\n

Hungry after all the exploring? Try Yoojung Sikdang \u2014 a humble neighborhood eatery once frequented by BTS members during their trainee days.<\/p>\n

It gained international attention after the members mentioned visiting when they missed \u201chome-cooked meals.\u201d The signature dish \u2014 black pork bibimbap \u2014 is affectionately known among fans as the \u201cBTS bibimbap.\u201d<\/p>\n

For many Army, a meal here is considered essential. The walls and ceiling \u2014 even the refrigerator and menu board \u2014 are covered with photos, posters and caricature drawings of the members, turning the modest restaurant into an unofficial shrine to the group\u2019s early years.<\/p>\n

\"Drawings Drawings of BTS (left) and fan letters are seen at Cafe Hyuga in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul. (Lee Jung-joo\/The Korea Herald) <\/p>\n

Cafe Hyuga<\/p>\n

Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul<\/p>\n

A three-story building that once served as BTS\u2019 dormitory until 2018 has since transformed into a gallery cafe. It has quickly earned a reputation among fans as another site to visit after Yoojung Sikdang to trace BTS\u2019 roots.<\/p>\n

One of the cafe\u2019s most popular items is the \u201cBTS salt bread\u201d made with squid ink, and it often sells out quickly.<\/p>\n

Inside, an exhibition featuring drawings and artwork arranged by fans, as well as handwritten love letters to BTS, sits alongside photos of the members. The space is like an archive of BTS, where the scents of coffee and bread mingle with memories of BTS\u2019 formative years.<\/p>\n

lee.jungjoo@heraldcorp.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Before the lights go up at Gwanghwamun in March, explore Seoul locations that shaped BTS BTS poses in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":309505,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[6520,93,61,60,6521,6517,6516,6522,278,6518,6519,6515,6524,6525,6523],"class_list":{"0":"post-309504","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-music","8":"tag-asia-news","9":"tag-entertainment","10":"tag-ie","11":"tag-ireland","12":"tag-k-pop","13":"tag-koreaherald","14":"tag-korean-news","15":"tag-kpop","16":"tag-music","17":"tag-south-korea-news","18":"tag-south-korea-news-in-english","19":"tag-the-korea-herald","20":"tag-6524","21":"tag-6525","22":"tag-6523"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/309504","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=309504"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/309504\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/309505"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=309504"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=309504"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=309504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}