Hello readers! Let me guess, you’re here because of the words “ARMY Dream” and “Korea,” right? I knew I guessed it right, as I’m sure going to Korea is one of the items in an ARMY's bucket list. The opportunity to breathe the same air as BTS, to see their city in front of our own eyes, to walk on the streets they usually see - it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm here to share with you my Korea experience!
Going to Korea used to be just an impossible dream for me. I don’t have enough money for traveling, and I just started working. It only entered my mind when my cousins (who are super rich, mind you) invited me to go on a trip to Korea with them. Right after they invited me, a piso fare (a Filipino lingo for cheap flights) appeared on my notifications. I took a leap of faith and booked a cheap flight to Incheon.
We stayed in Korea for six days, and I am not kidding when I tell you this - BTS is everywhere. From billboards to subways to music videos playing in stores. Everywhere I look in Seoul, I see them. My cousins kept on laughing at me when I took photos of every BTS related thing I see. Not only BTS, but BT21 also dominated the Korean streets.
Days 1 and 2 in our itinerary are solely focused on places BTS have visited, most of which are places where they’ve shot Run episodes and their music videos. But of course, we also went to (and I recommend) places that will help you get to know more about Korean culture and people.
Since I want to share my entire BTS experience with you readers, this blog will be the first part of a series of short blogs about how I explored Korea the BTS way!
I hope you’re still reading at this point, ARMYs - I want you all to feel as close to BTS as I felt when I visited these places.
You Never Walk Alone Bus Stop
This iconic bus stop where BTS filmed their album cover for the You Never Walk Alone repackage was set in Jumanjin beach at Gangneung City, which is (based on my travel experience) four hours away from Seoul. There is a bus that will take you from Seoul directly to the city, but my cousins and I missed the earliest bus. We instead took two bus rides and arrived at Gangneung City after four hours. To go to the actual resort, we rode the city bus and asked for directions from the bus driver.
The stretch of beach was so long that I finished two scoops of ice cream before seeing the bus stop. Guys, I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I screamed and almost cried when I set my sights on the bus stop. There are other ARMYs like me waiting to have their photo taken on the bus stop, so I calmed myself down as I fell in line. My cousins were, of course, laughing at me as I hyperventilated.
This bus stop is the main BTS spot that I wanted to visit; it was - as my cousins dubbed it - the most important spot to visit in our itinerary, and they were willing to travel for four hours just so I could visit the bus stop. The bus stop isn’t the exact one where BTS sat and took photos with, but it is a replica that Gangneung City decided to recreate in order to attract ARMY tourists. They were right to replicate it, as it boosted their number of tourists every day.
Even though it was only a replica, I still jumped with joy when it was my turn to take photos. I channeled my inner model and posed for the camera as if I was also having my own photoshoot with BTS by my side. My cousins were also so supportive - they roleplayed as the director and crew of the photoshoot. Fellow ARMYs who were next in line found my “photoshoot” entertaining as well and they cheered me on with every pose. I also took photos with the post beside the bus stop. Afterward, I swam in the beach and it also made my day.
Yoojung Sikdang
Yoojung Sikdang, the restaurant where BTS used to hang out during their rookie days, is my second favorite BTS-related spot in Korea. Even though I am not a big fan of spicy food (which, unfortunately for me, is what Korea mostly has to offer), their hospitality and BTS posters on every inch of their walls are the reasons why they made it to my top three. As we arrived at the restaurant for lunch, the line was long because of course flocks of ARMYs are also there to try out their food.
The space was small, and all the customers were crammed in the small space like sardines in a can. Still, I love the ambiance. The whole place - from the doors to the walls and their ceilings - is full of BTS and BT21 posters. The crew must be used to their customers being ARMYs, as they recommended food that BTS used to eat right away.
As someone who is not a fan of spicy food, I enjoyed the meal. First of all, because it was cheap. It also made me feel like I’m eating with the boys. It somehow gave me an experience of how they liked their food back in their rookie days.
Don’t forget to approach the lady who owns the place! (Check my Instagram post to know why.)
So there you have it, two of the BTS-related places in Korea that I visited. Let us know how your visit to Korea goes when you get the chance to travel there! Would you also like to read more of my BTS tour? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any audio & visual content in this video except for the editing. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNERS. No copyright infringement intended.
Written by: Euni
Edited by: Nats & Anna
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