As part of fulfilling my pledge from before and as a celebration of me becoming a fan of BTS, I’ll start my own version of ‘BTS Tour‘ with filming locations related to their album The Most Beautiful Moment In Life (화양연화 / HYYH). From MVs, jacket photos, prologue video down to their epilogue video from this comeback, I’ll try to cover them!

Without further ado, let’s go ARMY!

| PHOTO SHOOT

💜 Bomun Tourist Complex ( 보문 관광단지 )

In their album ‘The most beautiful moment in life, part 1‘, the man-made Bomun Lake (in Bomun Tourist Complex) with its many cherry blossom trees that decorate it in spring became BTS members’ backdrop for their photo shoot.

Within the Bomun Tourist Complex are facilities designed in a traditional style such as the tourist center, international conference room, golf resort, shopping mall, and a tourist hotel, etc. But Bomun Lake is famous for bikers and people who love to walk since it does have a long walkway around it with many cherry trees. Surely, you’ll love to go there too in spring!

Location: Sinpyeong-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

(경상북도 경주시 신평동)

Info: visitkorea

💜 Gyeongju Cheomseongdae Observatory ( 경주 첨성대 )

Another beautiful location from their 화양연화 photo shoot is the Cheomseongdae Observatory in Gyeongju.

This flower field is actually surrounding the observatory tower itself. Isn’t it really pretty from the pictures? But wait! I know you’re here for BTS, but let me tell you this: Cheomseongdae is known as the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia. It was constructed during the reign of Queen Seon Deok! The place stands out on its own because of its meaningful existence and history so be sure to drop by especially in the spring just like BTS did!

Location: 140-25, Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

경상북도 경주시 첨성로 140-25 (황남동)

Info: visitkorea

💜 Jeju Island – Andeul Oreum (안돌오름)

HYYH was also filmed in various locations in Jeju island just like this particular photo shoot the boys had in one of Jeju Island’s oreum trails. The photos they had here came out looking so magical as if they were in a dream and depicted their very fun youth days as they played in the fields of Jeju while surrounded by bubbles and nature itself.

According to wikipedia, ‘oreum’ in Jeju dialect implies to the ‘parasitic cone’ and the origin of the word is also ‘climb’. Jeju’s oreum refers to a small volcano within the main volcanic crater in Jeju-do and is typically applied to the hill in Jeju. There are more than 360 oreums throughout Jeju-do from the mountains down to the coast, which is pretty surprising. I’ve actually never thought Jeju Island housing volcanoes in it! 🙂

Location: 2171 Songdang-ri, Gujwa-eup, Cheju, Jeju-do, South Korea

💜 Dongneo Bundeok (동너분덕)

As seen from their HYYH photo, the members are about to jump off a cliff. This rocky cliff is actually still located in Jeju Island, namely called ‘동너분덕’ which is part of Jeju’s hiking Olle trail #7. Out of all the hiking trails in Jeju, this is said to be the most beautiful trail that visitors should try out. The cliff overlooking the island’s surrounding sea looks especially magnificent!

Location: 797-3 Cheonji-dong, Seogwipo, Jeju-do, South Korea

💜 참외전로

BTS made this area of Songwol’s neigborhood in Incheon their very own runway as they pose for their HYYH album in chic casual clothing. In the picture, the boys are seen together crossing the street with smiles on their faces while the rays of sun adds drama to the entire concept.

Location: 11-113 Songwol-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea

| Prologue/Music Videos/Epilogue

💜 Abandoned Swimming Pool at SNU

This abandoned swimming pool makes its appearance on their HYYH prologue video. It starts off with Taehyung alone in the empty and old pool, lying down on a mattress. The boys are seen running towards the place to hang out with Taehyung. As many fans had already been there, they say that the place looks eerie, but the boys gave life and color to the place that was once not often visited by many.

Location: SNU Genetic Engineering Research Center. Semiconductor Research Center

유전공학연구소.반도체공동연구소.

💜 Seonjaedo (Seonjae Island)

When the members decided to go to the beach in HYYH prologue it was Seonjae Island where they went to apparently.

Seonjaedo which is located in Incheon is believed to have been there since the Neolithic Era. The name Seonjaedo literally means “an island where a divine fairy came down and danced.”

Location: 101, Seonjae-ro 34beon-gil, Ongjin-gun, Incheon

💜 Nodeulseom (Nodeul Island)

As seen from their Run MV, the members of BTS passes under the Hangang Bridge in full speed, stopping at some point to join Jungkook who looks rather lonely, but smiles as soon as his hyungs reaches him.

This filming location is known to be part of Nodeulseom, which is an artificial island in Han River. The Hanggang Bridge passes directly over the said island that is actually to the east of the larger island of Yeouido.

See here an image of Nodeulseom from Google maps.

Location: 305-9 Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea

💜 North of Banpo Bridge

Another scene from the Run MV was filmed around north of the infamous Banpo Bridge–known for its ‘Moonlight Rainbow Fountain‘ which is known as the world’s longest bridge fountain.

Location: 271-120 Seobinggo-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea

💜 Mosan Airfield in Jecheon

Mosan Airfield, which was featured in BTS’ ‘Epilogue: Young Forever‘ MV is now a well known tour spot to ARMY alike. In the video, the members are seen walking this path as the sky turns a shade of pink, orange, yellow and amber as the sun starts to set at the distance.

The airfield was built in the 1950s for military training as an effort to prevent war and protect peace. However, today, the place has been transformed into a park after the city and military agreed to open a part of the land to the public.

Location: 1065-2 Goam-dong, Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea

💜 Gyeongjeong Beach

In the prologue MV, the boys went out to go to the sea. They happily watch the sun go down while sitting on the sea wall. A poignant looking Taehyung, however, looks up and notices the tall platform installed nearby facing the sea. He, then, fearlessly climbs up the platform. The other members sees him up at the scary tall platform and tells him to go down, but Taehyung doesn’t listen. And before they even realized it, Taehyung looks straight ahead with a brave face and then jumps off the platform as if he suddenly had wings like that of a butterfly.

Location: 426-1 Gyeongjeong-ri, Chuksan-myeon, Yeongdeog, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

💜 Dongdaemun Apartment

From the ‘I Need U’ MV, Taehyung is seen walking around the corridors of this apartment building.

The said apartment building is inhabited by real people and has been renovated and repainted over time, so it may be a little confusing if you go there. Also, if ever you guys have plans to go to the place please be considerate of the people living there.

Location: 328-17 Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

💜 Wolmido Culture Street

In ‘For You‘ MV, Jungkook dejectedly sits down on a bench in his bear costume with Wolmido Island’s ‘Culture Street’ in the backdrop. The view is so captivating from the filmed MV that one won’t just be able to take their eyes of it!

In addition, the island of Wolmido is located roughly 1km off the coast of Incheon. Due to its accessibility, many people go to the island over the weekends to have fun, enjoying various activities like performances at night, street artists showcasing their talent in drawing, cafe and seafood restaurants open to bring good food along the coast so these can be enjoyed while viewing the sea. Also, there is also a theme park here called ‘Play Hill’ which is famous for its thrill rides, including the Viking and Apollo Disco.

Location: 57 Wolmimunhwa-ro, Gaho-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea

💜 Incheon Open Port Nuri-gil

Also in ‘For You’ MV, Jungkook is seen standing right in front of an old-looking building that has that Japanese feel to it. While I want to give emphasis to how cute JK looks here, I want to also focus on the area where this building stood. This area is called ‘Incheon Open Port Nuri-gil’ which actually opened in 1883 during the Japanese colonization in Korea. The establishment of this area in Incheon forced the birth of other modern historical architecture here than are still found intact. There are also other known architectures such as the Incheon Art Platform, Jemulpo Gurakbu, Jung-gu Office and the Incheon branch of Japan’s 1st, 18th and 58th bank.

Location: 1-2 Haeandong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea

💜 Saemangeum reclaimed land, Buan County

The ‘Save Me‘ MV graces us with dance moves from BTS members that I never thought would be born. Again, BTS becomes one with nature when they shot the MV at a clear land under a not-so-clear sky, but then again the ambiance added to the charm of the song itself.

But did you know this? If you watch the behind story of this MV, you’ll find out they actually filmed the MV while it was raining. So, it was very hard for them to dance as soil turned to mud! Good thing that our hard working boys made it possible for the masterpiece to still look perfect!

Going back to the main point, the MV was actually filmed in Buan County. As Yoongi hinted in the behind story, Buan is located in North Jeolla. The nondescript land is actually reclaimed land in front of the Saemangeum Project Office in Byeonsan neighborhood, so it might be hard to find. Plus, if you look in Google maps, most likely it will only point you to an image of the sea, so in case you want to try and go there try searching for ‘Saemangeum Project Office’ instead.

Location: Daehang-ri, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do

💜 Neungnae Tunnel

At Neungnae tunnel, we see such a head-turning scene where Jin’s pick-up truck blocks the way, preventing other cars from passing through. Jungkook sits atop of Jin’s truck and looks back victoriously behind him and eventually the seven of them cause trouble–spray painting the cars, spitting drinks, jumping over cars, throwing cups and everything a rebellious teen in their age in BU will do.

See here for google map view of the tunnel.

Location: 951 Sanbon-dong, Gunpo-si, Gyeonggi-do

💜 Hwajeon Tunnel

Another running scene from ‘Run’ MV was shot at the Hwajeon Tunnel in Gyeonggi-do. In here, just like with most scenes from the MV, BTS goes for an endless run at night as if having a blast just being together.

See here for an image of the tunnel from Google maps.

Location: South Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Goyang-si, Deokyang-gu, Hwajeon-dong, 583-3

–

So, ARMY there you have it! I didn’t know that HYYH era actually used a lot of filming locations in Korea, but here they are. This is for sure not the complete list you must be looking for but I’ll try to find out more information as I search along, since I do still wonder where that trailer track is located at, or that place at the end of the prologue MV where they all fell asleep at. I’m still so much curious and I know I haven’t showcased everything, so I’ll make sure to update this post once I get a hold of the right information.

Lastly, this shall not be the last ‘BTS Tour’ post! I’ll come up with other posts for the other eras or other BTS related filming locations and try to research really hard to help whoever curious souls are out there that are hungry to know where they can go in Korea in the name of BTS. 🙂

In the meantime, check out the other snapshots I took from their videos.

More images captured from BTS’ videos during HYYH era:





credits: wikipedia, DEOKUTOUR, visitkorea, jjkfire, koreajoongangdaily, btsinfo1

snapshots are all by THE KOREAN LASS 2019