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Seoul Café and Restaurant Become Pilgrimage Sites for BTS Fans Ahead of Comeback Concert
SEOUL, South Korea — A modest café and nearby restaurant in Seoul’s Gangnam district have become unlikely global tourist destinations as fans of K-pop supergroup BTS flock to locations that played crucial roles in the band’s pre-fame years.
Café Hyuga, once a dormitory where BTS members lived as trainees, and Yoojung Sikdang restaurant, located in the same building where the group practiced dancing, have drawn visitors from across continents ahead of the band’s highly anticipated comeback concert.
Evelyn Florntino traveled from Hawaii after failing to secure tickets for BTS concerts in the United States. “Unfortunately I was not lucky to get a ticket,” she told The Associated Press on Friday. “So now I’m here in Korea to at least watch the free concert they’re doing tomorrow night.”
Florntino described visiting the humble café as a “humbling” experience, noting the contrast between the modest building tucked in a narrow alley and the upscale high-rises and luxury boutiques that typically define Gangnam, one of Seoul’s wealthiest districts.
For Colombian fan Alejandra Valencia, the journey represented something deeper. “They saved me,” Valencia said, explaining how the group helped her through depression. “And the time flies, and now I am an ARMY,” she added, using the term for the band’s devoted global fanbase.
Just a short walk from the café, 78-year-old Jang Young Kun welcomed visitors to Yoojung Sikdang restaurant wearing a purple BTS hoodie—a gift from an Australian fan. Jang has become something of a custodian of early BTS history, sharing stories about the group’s formative years.
“BTS was with us here in this building for about three to four years,” Jang explained. “The basement was their practice room—they trained down there and really shared their everyday lives with us.”
The restaurant owner recalled how the members would eat at his establishment daily between rigorous practice sessions. He shared a particularly meaningful memory of when two members, RM and Suga, came upstairs to tell him they had chosen their group name.
“Namjoon (RM) told me the group had settled on a name—Bangtan Sonyeondan,” Jang recounted. “I told them, ‘You’re going to blow up with that name. It’s Korean, it’s unique.'”
Jang’s stories paint a picture of the intense K-pop training system that shaped global phenomena like BTS and Blackpink. Entertainment companies recruit young talents and subject them to years of intensive training in singing, dancing, and performance before they make their public debut.
“The BTS boys were incredibly polite,” Jang added. “They had such bright, warm personalities—if they saw you 10 times a day, they’d bow a full 90 degrees every single time. They were always greeting people, always cheerful, and they worked incredibly hard. They’d practice through the night, then come out and wash up in our bathroom, even dyeing their hair in there.”
Mexican fans Diana Meza and Claudia Leal, who traveled from Monterrey, shared their appreciation for the group’s artistic depth. “Their songs aren’t shallow—they all have an important meaning,” said Leal, a five-year fan of the group. She admitted with a smile, “We started liking them first because they’re super good-looking, and then, because we loved everything.”
The pilgrimage of international fans to these humble beginnings highlights the extraordinary global impact BTS has achieved since their 2013 debut. What began as seven young trainees practicing in a basement has evolved into a cultural and economic powerhouse that drives significant tourism to South Korea.
Saturday’s comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square, one of South Korea’s most iconic landmarks, marks the end of a four-year hiatus during which all seven members completed their mandatory military service. The performance, which will stream live on Netflix, is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans.
The release of the group’s fifth studio album “ARIRANG” on the eve of the concert has further amplified the excitement, with music industry analysts predicting record-breaking streaming numbers and album sales that could significantly impact the Korean entertainment sector’s global market position.
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10 Comments
It’s really interesting to see how K-pop superstars like BTS have such a devoted global fanbase. Even simple locations from their early days have become pilgrimages for fans. I wonder what it must be like for the band members to see the transformation.
The story of BTS’s rise from modest beginnings to global superstardom is certainly inspiring. I can see why fans would want to visit the places that were important to the band’s early days, even if they’re just simple cafes and restaurants. It must give them a deeper connection to the group’s journey.
As a fan of K-pop, I find this story fascinating. The idea of fans traveling to Seoul just to visit the humble café and restaurant that were once part of BTS’s early days shows the incredible loyalty and dedication of the group’s supporters. It’s a unique cultural phenomenon.
The fact that these unassuming locations have become pilgrimages for BTS fans is a testament to the band’s incredible rise to fame. It must be quite surreal for the members to see the transformation of these places from their early days to global tourist destinations. This speaks to the power of K-pop.
It’s interesting to see how the global reach of K-pop superstars like BTS has transformed even the most ordinary of locations into must-visit destinations for fans. The contrast between the modest cafes and restaurants and the luxury of Gangnam adds to the unique experience for these devoted supporters.
This story highlights the unique cultural phenomenon of K-pop fandom. The fact that fans are willing to travel across continents just to visit the humble places that were once part of BTS’s early days speaks to the incredible loyalty and dedication of these supporters. It’s a fascinating example of the power of this genre of music.
This article highlights the power of K-pop and the BTS phenomenon. Even mundane locations can become must-visit destinations for devoted fans seeking a deeper connection to their idols. It’s a testament to the band’s enduring popularity and the passion of their global fanbase.
The contrast between the modest café and restaurant and the upscale Gangnam district is quite striking. It’s a good reminder that even the most famous artists often have humble beginnings. This adds to the sense of connection fans feel with BTS.
It’s amazing how BTS has inspired such a global following. These fan pilgrimages to the group’s old haunts must be a surreal experience for the members. I imagine it’s humbling to see the devotion of their fans, even for the most ordinary of places.
I can understand the disappointment of fans who couldn’t get tickets to the official BTS concerts. Visiting these locations that were important to the band’s early days seems like a meaningful way for them to still be a part of the experience. It speaks to the passion of the BTS fandom.