Gangnam has evolved into the authentic heart of K-pop culture, where documented idol sightings and verified connections create genuine opportunities for fans. These locations aren’t just wishful thinking — they’re places with confirmed celebrity visits, family ownership, or official business operations that make them legitimate stops for K-pop enthusiasts.
From restaurants with autographed walls to cafés owned by idol families, these spots offer real connections to the K-pop world. While celebrity encounters aren’t guaranteed, each location has verifiable reasons why idols frequent it.
Here’s a list of 15 verified spots in Gangnam with documented K-pop connections.
K-Star Road
This kilometer-long pedestrian route features 18 large GangnamDol sculptures representing major K-pop groups, including a 3-meter-tall PSY statue in front of Galleria Department Store. The bear-shaped sculptures honor Super Junior, EXO, Girls’ Generation, BTS, SHINee, and other iconic groups.
Walking this official route takes you through the heart of Gangnam’s entertainment district, connecting Apgujeong Rodeo Station to Cheongdam crossroads.
Chupungryeong Kal Samgyeopsal
This Apgujeong pork belly restaurant is well-known among locals as a top spot for K-pop idol sightings. The walls are covered with authentic autographs and messages from NCT, TWICE, SHINee, Super Junior, EXO, CNBLUE, and numerous other groups.
The restaurant’s excellent service and herb-seasoned pork belly have made it a genuine favorite among idols, creating one of the most documented celebrity dining spots in Seoul.
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Yoojung Sikdang
Featured in BTS’s Rookie King variety show, this restaurant served as the group’s daily dining spot during their trainee days when their practice studio was located nearby. Owner Kang Sun-ja treated the members like her own sons, and the restaurant is now completely decorated with BTS memorabilia from floor to ceiling.
The dolsot bibimbap and ssambap remain popular menu items, prepared the same way BTS enjoyed them.
KAMONG Café
Owned and operated by EXO Kai’s sister, this modern Gangnam café features three glass walls and minimalist artwork rather than typical celebrity photos. Named after a combination of ‘Kai’ and his dog Monggu, the café serves excellent waffles and offers a genuine family connection to one of K-pop’s biggest stars.
Fans regularly visit, hoping to spot Kai during family visits.
SM Entertainment Cheongdam Building
The current SM Entertainment headquarters houses practice rooms and offices for EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, aespa, and other SM artists. Recognizable by its large ‘SM Global Training Center’ signage, the building sees daily traffic from SM’s extensive roster.
Fans often wait outside hoping to catch glimpses of artists arriving for rehearsals, recordings, or meetings.
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Cube Entertainment & 20Space Café
Now located in Seongsu District, Cube Entertainment operates the 20Space café on the building’s first floor, selling beverages and official Cube artist merchandise. The seventh floor houses the company offices, while the second floor contains training facilities for BTOB, (G)I-DLE, and other Cube artists.
The café provides fans with an accessible way to connect with Cube’s operations.
Krap Pom Thai Restaurant
This authentic Thai restaurant in Apgujeong gained international attention when BLACKPINK’s Lisa dined here with CLC’s Sorn and (G)I-DLE’s Minnie. The documented visit, combined with the restaurant’s genuine Thai atmosphere and excellent spicy pork ribs, has made it a pilgrimage site for BLACKPINK fans and Thai food enthusiasts alike.
Art Monster Gangnam
This Hong Kong bar-themed venue serves as the verified filming location for the iconic Refund Sisters music video featuring Uhm Jung-hwa, Lee Hyori, Jessi, and Hwasa. The location’s craft beers, unique pizza, and distinctive atmosphere continue to attract entertainment industry figures.
Multiple Art Monster locations exist throughout Seoul, but the Gangnam branch specifically has documented K-pop connections.
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Ktown4u COEX Store
Operating across three floors in COEX Artium, this comprehensive K-pop merchandise headquarters hosts official album releases, lightstick collections, and exclusive events. The store occasionally organizes fan meetings, birthday celebrations, and special promotional events that bring together fans and sometimes visiting artists.
With an academy and pop-up spaces, it remains one of Asia’s largest K-pop retail destinations.
Yeongdong Gyojip
This Cheongdam restaurant specializes in naengdong samgyeopsal (frozen thinly-sliced pork belly) and maintains a retro 1980s atmosphere with period music and decor. EXO members, particularly Baekhyun, Kai, and Sehun, have been documented dining here, along with SHINee’s Taemin and Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon.
The restaurant’s entrance displays autographed photos confirming these celebrity visits.
Gilmok Gamjatang
Known for its specialty pork backbone stew (gamjatang), this restaurant gained attention when BTS’s Jungkook was documented visiting, along with actors Jung Woo-sung and Bae Suzy. The hearty Korean soup remains popular year-round, and the restaurant’s authentic atmosphere appeals to celebrities seeking traditional Korean comfort food away from upscale dining scenes.
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Nudake Haus Dosan
This unique multi-concept space combines a café with Gentle Monster eyewear and Tamburin’s beauty products in a construction site-themed interior. The location gained verified K-pop connections when TREASURE filmed Episode 51 of Treasure Map here.
The artistic menu items and Instagram-worthy industrial design continue to attract entertainment industry visitors.
Former SMTOWN Coex Locations
While SMTOWN Museum and Café closed permanently in 2020 when their lease ended, the COEX complex continues operating with Ktown4u as the main K-pop attraction. The SMTOWN Handprint Wall outside COEX remains accessible, featuring permanent handprints from various SM Entertainment artists, including Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, SHINee, EXO, and Red Velvet.
Cafe J Holic
Located in Gangnam’s MAG N MAG building, this café was opened by JYJ’s Jaejoong in 2013 and continues operating with his active involvement. The establishment sells Jaejoong-themed merchandise, including tumblers and diaries, while serving standard café fare.
The authentic ownership connection and ongoing operation make it a reliable spot for JYJ fans.
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Garosugil Street
This ginkgo tree-lined European-style promenade attracts fashion-conscious celebrities and entertainment industry professionals with its unique boutiques, art galleries, and trendy cafés. The street’s reputation as an ‘artists’ street’ and its proximity to entertainment companies create natural opportunities for celebrity sightings, particularly among image-conscious K-pop idols who frequent the area’s stylish establishments.
The Authentic K-pop Experience
These 15 locations represent genuine, documented connections to K-pop culture rather than speculative celebrity haunts. From family-owned businesses and verified filming locations to restaurants with autographed walls and active entertainment company operations, each spot offers authentic reasons for idol presence.
While celebrity encounters depend on timing and luck, these verified locations provide fans with real connections to the infrastructure, businesses, and daily lives that support K-pop culture in Gangnam.
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