13 Kpop Things to Do in Seoul (from a fellow kpop stan)
This is for the kpop stans! Here’s your guide to everything kpop in Seoul, South Korea.
I’ve been listening to kpop (and ppop) for over a decade now. It’s always a fun experience doing kpop things while in South Korea.
Here’s the best kpop things to do in Seoul: where to go, where to buy merch at kpop stores in Seoul, how to attend concerts, cupsleeves, and other kpop events in Seoul.
You can watch my kpop vlog guide here too:
I also have a vlog of going to kpop concerts in 5 countries in 2023 that you can check out next. 💃🏻
Quick Kpop in Seoul Links:
🎫 Tickets to The Show, my favorite kpop experience in Seoul
🎵 Ticket to SBS Inkigayo + Tour Package
🚌 Seoul Hallyu Kpop Tour (most popular kpop tour)
💃🏻 K-Pop Dance Class & Short Video Shooting By Wonder Trip
🎤 K-Pop Recording Experience at KING STUDIO
1. Buy Kpop Merch in Seoul
First is kpop merch in Seoul. Make sure you leave room in your luggage, because everything is much cheaper in Korea!
Below are my top 3 favorite places to buy kpop merch in Seoul.
For a full list, read my kpop stores in Seoul post.
Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center
This is my top spot to buy kpop merch in Seoul.
There are about 3-4 shops that sell affordable kpop merch like albums, stickers, lomo pcs, keychains, and lightsticks.
It’s located at exit 6 of the Myeongdong subway station, which is a popular underground shopping center.
Music Korea
Music Korea is located in the same Myeongdong shopping street area. It’s on the 3rd floor of a Nature Republic store.
Albums here are a few dollars more. Everything here is official merch. You can also get kdrama dvds, and they usually give free posters. (Photos are actually not allowed.)
KTown4U
KTown4U has two in-person stores in Seoul.
One is in the Annyeong Insadong Shopping Complex inside the Insadong Shopping Street. It’s also a cafe and they usually have popups.
The second KTown4U store is located in the COEX Mall in Gangnam and is much larger. I have yet to visit even though I was just there this month, but it looks really big.
2. Visit K-Star Road in Gangnam
The most popular kpop site in Seoul is probably K-Star Road in Gangnam.
You’ll see large dolls dedicated to different kpop groups, mostly 2nd and 3rd gen groups like 2pm, Shinee, BTS, Super Junior, Girls Generation, EXO, etc.
3. Visit Kpop Agencies in Seoul
You can try visiting the agencies of your favorite groups like Starship, Hybe, SM, YG, or Fantagio.
For visiting kpop agencies, tread lightly, just take a quick photo of the building — don’t lurk around waiting for idols to show up or try to enter the buildings.
I don’t recommend that!
4. Visit Kpop Filming Sites
Next up is is group-specific, which is visiting sites related to your favorite kpop groups like interesting filming sites of music videos or iconic places where they shot variety shows.
For example, I looked up Monsta X-related ones by googling Monsta X filming sites. You can also ask any moots that have visited Seoul for their spots.
5. Visit HiKR Ground (free!)
Another site for kpop fans in Seoul is HiKR Ground, a colorful hallyu and arts-themed exhibit with lots of photo-op opportunities.
It’s located right across the Cheonggyecheon stream too!
6. See the Iconic Gangnam Hands
You’ll find the iconic Gangnam hands at the COEX Mall on the outside patio. It’s actually quite big in person. (While there, visit KTown4U kpop store.)
7. Look for Sponsored Fan Ads
You’ll see ads sponsored by fans everywhere, especially inside the subway stations.
If you’re visiting Seoul during any birthdays or anniversaries for your favorite kpop groups, you’ll likely stumble upon some. 💜
8. Attend a Kpop Cupsleeve
For those that don’t know, kpop fans host what are called cupsleeves to celebrate birthdays and anniversary of idols. These are also common in the US.
These are held in cafes and if you buy a drink or set, you get a cupsleeve and other freebies.
Fans decorate the whole cafe. Some will do activities but usually it’s just a sit down and photo op sites.
If you’re unsure on the cupsleeve benefits, ask. The staff are happy to help.
I went during Monsta X’s 8th anniversary, and there were 20 within walking distance in Hongdae.
I found these all on Twitter. The only thing is, generally the tweets are in Korean. You’ll more likely find events if you type in “cupsleeve” and “group name” in Korean or hangul. Then you translate the flyers and tweets from there.
It might take some effort, but cupsleeve-hopping in Seoul was a fun experience. They go all out and it’s usually over 2-3 days.
9. Visit a Fan-Sponsored Bench
Some parks will have benches dedicated to their favorite kpop groups or members.
There’s a few benches dedicated to some of the BTS members in Seoul Forest, one of my favorite parks in Seoul.
Nearby is also SM Entertainment’s new building and KWANGYA, SM’s new flagship kpop concept store with kpop merch and digital displays.
At Han River you can also find Moonbin Forest, with benches in memory of him.
10. Attend a Taping of The Show or SBS Inkigayo
The Show is hosted by idols, and several kpop groups perform during the live program, and a winner is announced at the end.
You can buy tickets on Trazy or KoreaTravelEasy. I went twice and it was one of my favorite kpop events in Seoul.
Read my full guide and tips on attending The Show.
⚠️ Tickets for The Show sell out fast. Reserve a spot before they’re gone
You can also try attending other music shows like KBS Music Bank, Show Champion, or Inkigayo, but you’ll need the official fanclub membership and apply online and get chosen. Best to get guidance from a local fan.
SBS Inkigayo & Seoul Tour Package
Ticket to SBS Inkigayo | Half-day tour | BOOK IT HERE
This is a new tour that includes a ticket to SBS Inkigayo music show with live performances by kpop groups.
This package also includes a half-day tour with transportation to popular sites in Seoul. Definitely seems worth it!
🎸 Check available dates for SBS Inkigayo Tour Package
11. Watch Idol Radio Live (free)
Idol Radio is radio program hosted by idols and they bring on other idol guests.
Currently it’s hosted by Sunwoo of The Boyz. I went when it was hosted by Hyungwon and Joohoney from Monsta X.
It’s located in Digital Media City where The Show is also located. I have a whole guide on how to attend Idol Radio in Seoul, my tips, and what to expect.
But basically you watch the program from outside. It’s completely free. You would have to line up early to get a decent viewing spot. And of course, the program is in Korean.
Fans usually wait after to send off the idols. When in doubt, just follow the fans like I did.
12. Attend Kpop Concerts in Seoul
Ok, the fun part, how to attend kpop concerts in Seoul, plus music festivals & fanmeets in Korea.
I’ve been to a few kpop events and kpop concerts in Seoul now. Here are some tips for visitors:
- Foreigners have separate websites to buy concert tickets. You won’t be able to buy on the regular ticketing sites unless you have local Korea banking cards.
- The 2 main sites to buy tickets for kpop concerts in Seoul and other cities are Melon Global and Interpark Global. Both are in English. You can go these websites and check out the calendar for upcoming events.
- They also sell tickets to musicals that kpop idols star in. I went to one where Wonho acted in. There’s no filming allowed and cheers are very polite. Fans also wait after the show.
Tips for buying concert tickets
- The only site I’ve had some problems buying tickets with is Melon because of their card verification system. It’s better to buy the ticket while you’re in your home country.
- If it’s a really popular group, tickets may sell out in the first 5-10 minutes. You can keep checking back to see if a seat popped up, but knetizens are really quick with buying tickets.
- If you have a membership for that kpop group, you’ll get early access before general sales. Still, out of the 3 kpop concerts in Seoul that I tried buying tickets with membership, I was only able to buy one. Tickets can sell out really fast. Just try your best. You never know!
- If the concert is completely sold out, you can lurk the WTS (want to sell) tag on Twitter. Resales on Twitter are quite high and you have to be careful of scams. There are some Twitter folks that offer ticketing assistance to help you get a ticket, just make sure to check if they have legit reviews.
Trazy/Klook Concert Tickets
Sometimes there’s music festivals where a certain amount of tickets are allocated just for foreigners.
In this case, they’re usually sold on websites like Trazy and Klook.com.
The tour package usually provides transportation, and the prices are decent around $60.
You go as a group together and have dedicated seats.
A few of these events pop up annually. You just have to keep an eye out on socials.
Kpop Fanmeets in Seoul
While kpop concerts in Seoul already have a fanmeet aspect to them, there are events that are fansigns where you get to meet and talk to an idol or get something signed.
Honestly, these are hard to get into. It’s not impossible, I’ve seen foreigners attend, but a lot of it is by raffle and luck, or if you bought a lot of their albums or hosted an album go.
If you really want to go, I suggest getting guidance from a local fan.
Concert Culture in Korea (What to Expect)
Concert culture in Korea and a lot of Asian countries is pretty different than in US or Europe.
A lot of kpop concerts in Seoul are seated and fans are just more polite. There’s not a lot of standing up in your seats or dancing, or howling (IYKYK!)
Some concerts may also not allow you to film on your phone. So if you’re used to wild club-like concerts, you might get disappointed.
BUT fans in Korea have the best lightstick and fanchant game I’ve seen. Seeing all the lightsticks in sync and hearing all the fanchants is pretty awesome.
Before the concert, there’s usually photo op sites on the concert grounds that you can check out.
If it’s a general standing area, people line up according to their ticket number, which depends on what time you bought the ticket, so it’s not first come-first serve.
You can make friends with any foreigner fans you come across at the concert, otherwise, there’s not much of a social aspect to the kpop concerts in Seoul if you’re a foreigner in my experience!
I just went to my first outdoor music festival, with mostly non-kpop artists. These were really fun. You can sit and picnic or stand. This crowd was more lively and dancey.
13. Book a Kpop Tour in Seoul
The benefits of joining kpop tours in Seoul is to save time with transportation, get insider insights from local guides, and bond with other kpop fans visiting Seoul.
Here are top tours, but you can check out my full list of kpop tours in Seoul.
1. Seoul Hallyu Kpop Tour
4.9 rating | 1k+ booked | Driver provided | BOOK IT HERE
2. K-Pop Dance Class By Wonder Trip
English Speaking Dance Instructor | 1.5 hour | BOOK IT HERE
3. K-Pop Recording Experience at KING STUDIO
5 rating | 400+ booked | Used by Kpop idols | BOOK IT HERE
And then there are the kdrama filming sites which is a whole different story!
Seoul itself is worth visiting beyond the kpop experiences of course.
I hope this was helpful. Have a fun time living your best life as a fangirl, fanboy, or fanby!
🎟 Recommendation: Attend The Show live and see which dates are available
Related Posts
7 Essential Seoul Travel Tips for First-Timers (+ everything I wished I knew)
How to Visit Yonsei University in Seoul – Kdrama Filming Sites
