BTS has evolved from a small Korean troupe to world superstars, and their story is etched across dozens of sites across the globe. From derelict train stations to bustling metropolitan city centers, these seven gifted members have left their imprint on places that are now sites of pilgrimage for millions of dedicated fans.
Every place holds a part of its history, be it an emotional music video setting or just a humble restaurant where they took countless meals while they were trainees. Below is a compilation of 15 amazing places where you can follow BTS’s footprints and witness the magic that they brought about.
Iryeong Train Station, Yangju
This abandoned railway station, about 40 minutes north of Seoul, became legendary after V’s haunting scenes in the ‘Spring Day’ music video. The eerie ambiance created by the deserted platform and old train cars wonderfully encapsulates the melancholy tone of the song.
Fans go from all around the world to experience the emotional impact of one of BTS’s most cherished songs and reenact V’s famous snow-touching moment.
Yongma Land, Seoul
This eerily charming abandoned amusement park in Seoul’s Seongdong district became a K-pop filming hotspot after BTS shot their ‘We Are Bulletproof Pt. 2’ music video among its vintage rides. The park’s retro carousel, old-fashioned swings, and weathered attractions create an almost dreamlike setting that’s become Instagram gold for visiting fans.
Unlike most abandoned sites, Yongma Land welcomes visitors and allows you to freely explore and pose on the same rides the members used.
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Bomun Tourist Complex, Gyeongju
Spring transforms this scenic lakeside destination into a pink wonderland when thousands of cherry blossom trees bloom around the artificial Bomun Lake. BTS captured this magical setting for their ‘The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 1’ album photos, timing their shoot perfectly with the brief but spectacular cherry blossom season.
The complex also features traditional Korean architecture, walking paths, and cultural facilities that make it a perfect day trip destination about 180 miles southeast of Seoul.
Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul
While this 600-year-old royal palace predates BTS by several centuries, it gained new significance when the group performed their hit song ‘Idol’ in its courtyard. The majestic traditional architecture and ceremonial grounds create a stunning contrast between Korea’s ancient heritage and its modern cultural exports.
Visitors can rent traditional hanbok clothing nearby and experience the same regal atmosphere that provided such a meaningful backdrop for BTS’s celebration of Korean culture.
BigHit Building Area, Gangnam, Seoul
The modest building where BTS spent countless hours training and creating their early music still draws thousands of fans who want to see where it all began. While you shouldn’t linger too long out of respect for current operations, the surrounding neighborhood offers plenty of BTS-related spots, including nearby restaurants and cafes that the members frequented.
The walls around the building are covered with heartfelt messages from fans worldwide, creating an ever-changing outdoor gallery of love and support.
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Dongho Bridge, Seoul
Spanning the Han River, this dual-purpose bridge carrying both trains and cars became famous for J-Hope’s emotional solo scene in the ‘I Need U’ music video. The bridge offers panoramic views of Seoul’s skyline and the river below, making it a popular spot for both BTS fans and general sightseers.
Walking across the same path where J-Hope filmed his breakthrough moment adds extra meaning to an already scenic urban experience.
Korea House, Seoul
Traditional Korean architecture and royal cuisine create an authentic cultural experience at this historic venue, where BTS posed for their memorable Billboard magazine covers. Each of the eight individual covers was shot in different areas of this beautifully preserved hanok complex, which showcases the elegance of Joseon Dynasty design.
The venue also hosts traditional performances and offers Korean royal cuisine, providing a complete immersion into the cultural traditions that shape BTS’s identity.
Vinyl & Plastic by Hyundai Card, Itaewon, Seoul
This analog music lover’s paradise provided the perfect backdrop for BTS’s intimate NPR Tiny Desk Concert performance of ‘Dynamite’ and other hits. Surrounded by thousands of vinyl records and vintage audio equipment, the members delivered stripped-down versions of their songs in a cozy, authentic setting.
The store continues to operate as both a music retailer and cultural space where you can browse the same record stacks that surrounded BTS during their acoustic performance.
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Seoul Forest, Seongdong, Seoul
Once a royal lover’s ground during the Joseon Dynasty, this expansive urban park has appeared in various BTS content and offers a peaceful escape from Seoul’s intensity. The park’s five distinct areas include everything from deer enclosures to art installations, providing diverse backdrops for recreation and photography.
Its proximity to other BTS locations makes it an ideal rest stop during a full day of fan site visits around the city.
Maengbang Beach, Samcheok
This stunning East Coast beach gained international recognition when BTS chose it as the location for their ‘Butter’ album photoshoot in 2021. The pristine sand, clear blue waters, and dramatic scenery create a picture-perfect setting that now attracts around 8,000 visitors daily.
The colorful beach umbrellas and chairs that appeared in the photos have become permanent fixtures, allowing fans to recreate the same vibrant seaside scenes.
Seohuri Forest, Yangpyeong
Known affectionately as ‘Bangtan Forest’ among fans, this serene woodland setting about 90 minutes from Seoul hosted BTS’s 2019 Season’s Greetings calendar photoshoot. The forest features marked photo spots with easels showing exactly where each member posed, making it easy for fans to recreate their favorite shots.
The peaceful hiking trails and natural beauty make it a perfect retreat that combines fandom pilgrimage with genuine outdoor recreation.
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In the Soop House, Gangwon Province
The countryside mansion where BTS filmed their beloved reality show ‘In the Soop’ offers fans a chance to experience the same tranquility that the members enjoyed. Surrounded by mountains and nature, this rental property allows visitors to fish, cook, paint, and relax just like their favorite idols did on camera.
The house maintains many of the same features and furnishings from the show, creating an authentic recreation of BTS’s peaceful getaway.
Jecheon Mosan Aerodrome, Chungcheongbuk
This former military training ground turned public park provided the dramatic runway setting Soop’g for BTS’s “EPILOGUE: Young Forever” MV. The wide-open spaces and aviation history create a unique backdrop that’s both nostalgic and inspiring, perfectly matching the song’s themes of youth and dreams.
The facility now houses cafes and restaurants alongside the runway, making it a quirky destination that combines aviation history with K-pop pilgrimage.
Mojave Desert, California, and Nevada.
The vast American Southwest provided an epic backdrop for BTS’s ‘Yet to Come’ music video, with its endless horizons and static desert landscapes. Stretching across southeastern California and southern Nevada, with portions extending into Utah and Arizona, the Mojave offers numerous access points for fans wanting to experience the same awe-inspiring scenery.
The abandoned Lake Dolores Waterpark, featured in their comeback performance, adds an extra layer of intrigue to this already cinematic desert location.
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Grand Central Station, New York City
One of New York City’s busiest transportation hubs became a BTS stage when the group performed ‘ON’ in the early morning hours before the daily crowds arrived. The terminal’s iconic architecture and soaring ceilings created a majestic backdrop that emphasized the song’s powerful message and choreography.
While you can’t recreate the empty terminal experience, visiting during regular hours still provides that same sense of grandeur and the thrill of standing where BTS made history.
From Practice Rooms to Global Stages
These fifteen sites chronicle BTS’s inspiring journey from resolute trainees dining at neighborhood eateries to global icons singing at legendary stages around the world. Each site is not only a selfie spot, but part of the narrative that tied together seven young men from Seoul and captured the hearts of millions around the world.
The deserted train stations and peaceful forests once used as settings for their creative expression are now converging points where fans from all continents come to relate their tales for the music that transformed their lives. As BTS continues to push the boundaries and expand new horizons creatively, these unique locations continue to exist as enduring symbols of a journey that not only changed their own lives but also reshaped the very landscape of world music.
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