It is no exaggeration to say that Gangnam, which became famous as PSY’s ‘Gangnam Style’ became popular, is the source of the Korean wave. Gangnam had been the leading place of the Korean trends even before it gained worldwide recognition. More than a half of a total number of Korean entertainment companies are located in Gangnam, so this place is a birthplace of many Korean wave stars. Let’s take a look at the memorable ‘K-Star ROAD’, established around Cheongdam-dong region.
The course of K-Star ROAD, where the stars are born Apgujeong Rodeo Station, exit 2 - Cheongdam crossroads - Cube Cafe
Course 1 Let’s meet the K-stars in the art works! : The K-Star Road
The main road connecting the Apgujeong Rodeo Station exit 2 and Cheongdam crossroads is often called the ‘luxury road of Cheongdam,' with many luxury goods stores along with the road. However, it seems it is time to call it the K-Star Road.
As you take the exit 2 from the Apgujeong Rodeo Station, you can find GangnamDol, indicating that you have arrived at the K-Star Road. GangnamDol is a compound word of ‘Gangnam’, ‘idol, and ‘doll’. It is a symbolic sculpture of the K-Star Road, with thesymbolicimagesofthefamousK-pop groups printed on the human-scale bear doll.
I t took about two years to establish the K-Star Road. There is a 3-meter-tall PSY GangnamDol in front of the Galleria Department Store, and seventeen more GangnamDols of Super Junior, EXO, Girl’s Generation, and Bangtan Boys are located. The GangnamDols are placed along with about 1 km section of the road connecting the Apgujeong Rodeo Station and Cheongdam crossroads, so if you walk along the GangnamDol places, you can enter the area packed with entertainment companies, including JYP Entertainment and Cube Entertainment. It is another enjoyable content to find your favorite singer’s GangnamDol and take a picture to be posted in your SNS.
Let’s find your favorite idol singer’s GangnamDol!
① 4Minute ② Super Junior ③ 2PM ④ FT Island ⑤ SHINee ⑥ Miss A ⑦ CNBLUE ⑧ TVXQ! ⑨ Girls’ Generation ⑩ EXO ⑪ AOA ⑫ BTS ⑬ B1A4 ⑭ VIXX ⑮ INFINITE ⑯ KARA ⑰ Block B
Tip There is GANGNAMDOL HAUS in front of exit 7 of Apgujeong Rodeo Station, where they are selling miniature GangnamDols as a souvenir. You may also find the tourist information in this place!
Course 2 The leading entertainment companies of Korean wave: SM and JYP Entertainment
The K-Star Road is also notable with its densely located Korean famous entertainment companies, which have led the driving force of K-pop. While having a look around the GangnamDols near the Apgujeong Rodeo Station, you may find the GangnamDols ofGirl’sGenerationandEXO.Itis time to take a rest and look around. You can find SM Entertainment, the largest entertainment company in Korea. Although the building is under construction, you can recognize it without any difficulty because of the hugepanelon the buildingexterior.Thisfacilityis called ‘SM Global Training Center,' a training place for the SM artists. You might be able to see the artists going to work if you are lucky enough.
If you have finished seeing Block B’s GangnamDol, the last GangnamDol of K-Star Road, take a walk into the Cheongdam-dong alley along the Apgujeong-ro 79 street. You may find a familiar sign as you walk in about 300 meters through the narrow alley. ThisistheJYPEntertainmentheadquarters,where 2PM, Miss A, and Get 7 belong to. Since the exterior is decorated with the JYP artists’ pictures, it is easy to find the building even from far away.
SM Entertainment Celebrity Center [Permanently Closed] Address : 423 Apgujeong- ro , Gangnam-gu, Seoul Contact information : +82-2-6240-9800 Homepage : smtown.com Location : 5 minutes by walking from the exit 2 of Apgujeong Rodeo Station
JYP Entertainment Address : 205, Gangdong-daero, Gangdong-gu, Seoul Contact information : +82-2-2225-8100 Homepage : www.jype.com Location : 20 minutes by walking from Exit 3 of Dunchon-dong Station
Course 3 A café that is operated by an entertainment company: Cube Entertainment (CUBAKER)
Cube Entertainment is located adjacent to the JYP Entertainment. Beast, 4Minute, BTOB, etc., belong to Cube Entertainment. Unlike the other entertainment companies, there is a secret place in Cube Entertainment. A café for the fans. They are sellingnotonlythebeveragesanddeserts, but also the MD products of Cube artists. It is another pleasure to find traces of Cube artists around the café. Apparently sometimes the artists like Beast or 4Minute visits the café and order some drinks.
T he headquarters of FNC Entertainment is located about 10 minutes away from the Cube Café. K-pop idol groups like FT Island, CNBLUE, AOA, and famous broadcasters like Jeong Hyung-Don belong to FNC Entertainment. The FNC headquarters is famous for its exceptionally beautiful design. It was awarded the ‘Beautiful Structure Prize’ in 2013, designated by Gangnam-gu. This building is equipped with various facilities including ensemble rooms, private practice rooms, studios, and fitness centers.
Cube Entertainment Address : 83, Achasan-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea Contact information : +822-3445-1045 Homepage : www.cubeent.co.kr Location : 5 minutes by walking from Exit 1 of Seongsu Station
CUBAKER Address :83, Achasan-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea Contact information : +82-2-548-7720 Business hours : 10 am ~ 10:00 pm from Monday to Sunday
FNC Entertainment Address : 85-gil 46, Dosandae-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Contact information : +82-2-517-5426 Homepage : https://www.fncent.com
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보호자를 동반하지 않을 시 이용이 불가능 합니다.※ 보행약자 1명당 보호자 최소 1인 이상 동반 ※ 전동보장구(전동휠체어, 전동스쿠터 등) 사용자의 경우 보호자 1인당 보행약자 최대 4인까지 동반 가능
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예약확인을 위해 도보관광 사무국(02-6925-0777)에서 확인 연락이 진행됩니다.(최소 5일~한달 전)3회 이상 전화통화가 이뤄지지 않을 시 예약이 취소될 수 있습니다.
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미세먼지 비상저감조치 발령 및 기타 기상악화(폭염, 태풍, 폭우 등)로 인해 도보관광 운영이 어려운 경우 모든 예약은 일괄 취소됩니다. (관광일 전날 기준)
Reservations must be made at least three days prior to the tour date.
Additional reservations, one or two days before the tour starts, are only allowed for the tour that is already fixed.
In the case of group tour, more than 10people, please contact us by e-mail.
Reservations for the following month are available from the 15th of the current month.
Please refrain from participating in any tour programs should you be experiencing any symptoms, including fever, coughing, congestion, muscle pain, stuffy nose, and/or sore throat.
Reservations for tourists 14 years & under without an accompanying adult or guardian shall be canceled on site.
All reservations will be canceled in the event of a weather warning being issued. (e.g. heatwave, typhoon, heavy rain, fine dust, etc.) (Cancellation will be processed immediately upon implementation)
※ Please always check the weather warning on the day of the reservation on the site below.
(https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
The Seoul Guided Walking Tour administration office and tour guide affiliates are not responsible for any accidents that happen to occur during the tour program.
Reservation shall be made at least 1 week before the tour day.
The course is for tourists with mobility problems (Senior, people with disability, stroller user).
You may not use the course without an assistant (or companion) ※ At least one assistant shall accompany a tourist with mobility problem ※ In case of electric assisting device users (electric wheelchair, electric scooter users), one assistant may accompany up to 4 tourists with mobility problem
Reservation may be canceled when a guide is unavailable on the desired date and course.
Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office (02-6925-0777) will contact you to confirm reservation. (At least 5 days~1 month before tour day) Reservation may be canceled when Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office cannot reach you for more than 3 times.
Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office and Seoul culture and tourism guide are not liable for the safety accidents during the Seoul Guided Walking Tour.
All reservations will be canceled in the event of a weather warning being issued. (e.g. heatwave, typhoon, heavy rain, fine dust, etc.) (Cancellation will be processed immediately upon implementation)
※ Please always check the weather warning on the day of the reservation on the site below.
(https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
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