K-POP IDOLS IN KOREA 

Hoping to bump into your favorite idols in Korea? You’ve come to the right place. Today, we’ll show you famous areas where K-pop singers live. Who knows, maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of them there!

Note: Each section is divided into districts (gu, 구) and neighborhoods (haengjeongdong, 동) to simplify things.

Gangnam-gu

Let’s start with a name you’re probably familiar with: Gangnam. It’s the third biggest district in Seoul and the most expensive. It’s also where a lot of entertainment companies are located, including SM, JYP, and Cube Entertainment. 

Cheongdam-dong

Home to the Cheongdam Fashion Street and some of the most expensive real estate in South Korea. It’s also where the series “Cheongdam-dong Alice” and Psy’s music video for “Gentleman” were filmed.

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

Cheongdam has stunning views of the Han River. This is where the Eterno Cheongdam estate – and soloist IU’s new penthouse – are located. The building will be completed by September 2023 and is expected to be the most expensive property in Korea.

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

SHINee member Taemin also has an apartment in Cheongdam, which appeared in episode 398 of the reality series “Home Alone.” 

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

In February 2022, Super Junior’s Heechul bought a unit at the Sangji Ritzville Kylom villa. Twice members live together in Cheongdam, too, though they keep the location of their building private.

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

Samseong-dong

South of Cheongdam-dong. This is where you’ll find the COEX mall (the world’s largest underground mall) and a lot of hotels and restaurants. It’s also where the World Trade Center Seoul and Kimchi Field Museum are located.

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

Actress-singer Bae Suzy doesn’t just live in Samseong. She owns and rents her own building! She also has a home in Nonhyeon-dong southwest of Samseong. In their April 29th, 2020 episode, Mnet show “TMI News” ranked her #1 on the list of female stars with the most expensive homes. Girls’ Generation member YoonA also owns a unit in this neighborhood.

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

Yongsan-gu

Northwest of Gangnam-gu is Yongsan-gu, Seoul’s most diverse district. There are 53 foreign embassies, a former American military base (which is now being turned into a park), and of course the Itaewon Special Tourist Zone. But let’s take it one step at a time, shall we? First stop: the “Beverly Hills of Seoul”!

Hannam-dong 

Did you know Baekhyun was singing about a real place in “UN Village”? It is an exclusive neighborhood in Hannam-dong, where you can find a lot of big names. Psy, BTS, and Bang Si-hyuk (“Hitman” Bang) live here, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

YG Entertainment has a few representatives: Big Bang’s Taeyang and his wife Min Hyo-rin; fellow member G-Dragon; and Blackpink’s Jennie.

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

The neighborhood is near lots of shopping, schools, public transportation, and the Han River. It also has high security, perfect for celebrities who want peace and quiet!

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

Itaewon-dong

After watching “Itaewon Class,” you might be curious about visiting Itaewon. And you should! Here, you can find cuisine from all over the world and lots of tourist shops and hotels. It’s also one of the safer places for gay people because of its “LGBTQ Street.”

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

This trendy and progressive neighborhood attracts many young people, including celebrities. Jungkook bought a property in Itaewon in November 2020 for 7.6 billion won. 

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

Soloist Rain and his wife Kim Tae Hee also used to live here, though they sold their house in May 2022. “Omniscient Interfering View” audiences got a peek inside it in 2021.

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

Mapo-gu

Want to attend university? Watch football? Go clubbing? You can do all that and more in the Mapo district, home to the popular Hongdae neighborhood. It’s also where YG Entertainment has its headquarters. Unsurprisingly, many YG artists live in Mapo-gu.

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

Blackpink have been at Han River Bamseom Apartments for a few years. Officially, they still live together, although they’ve bought or will buy their own homes. Labelmates iKON and Winner also live in these apartments.

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

Seongsu-dong (in Seongdong-gu)

If Hannam-dong is the “Beverly Hills of Seoul”, then Seongsu-dong is Seoul’s “Brooklyn.” It’s a café lover’s paradise, with many coffee shops and old buildings. There’s also the beautiful Seoul Forest, close to the Seoul Forest Trimage Towers.

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

BTS’ J-hope has been at the Towers since 2016. Jungkook used to live there, but he sold his unit in 2020. However, J-hope is still in good company. Girls’ Generation member Sunny, Girl’s Day member Yura, and several Super Junior members including Leeteuk and Eunhyuk also live here. 

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

Let’s leave Seoul now for the final part of this blog. 

Achiul Village (Guri) and Yangpyeong-gun

Achiul Village is in Guri, east of the capital. “Crash Landing on You” stars Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin are just two stars you’ll find here.

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

Guess who else lives in Achiul? Park Jin-young, JYP himself! He and ballad singer Jo Sung-mo are some K-pop names connected to this neighborhood. 

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

We’ll finish with a trip to Yangpyeong-gun (Yangpyeong County). IU also has a house here, for herself and her family. A beautiful location with lots of fresh air, this is another popular spot for Korean celebrities.

(Image: Credits to the rightful owner)

While it’s exciting to walk in a neighborhood where an idol might be living, it’s important to remember that these celebrities are normal people like us. That means we need to be respectful if – when – we interact with them. 

Don’t hang around their properties. If you see an idol on the street, don’t run or yell. Walk up to them calmly and say hi. Before taking pictures, ask if it’s okay. Even better, leave them alone. Idols need privacy more than we do, and the last thing they want is a stranger chasing them.

(A scene from “Exo Next Door” / Credits to the rightful owner)

What do you think of these homes? Would you want to live here? Let us know down below!

 

 

Author: SUJI SOHN

About the author: Suji was studying in London in the year 2019 and, although being separated from her family, her passion for Korea was growing. She noticed that a lot of her close friends loved Korean culture, food, music, and dramas and gradually started to fall in love with Korea, but there weren't many opportunities to actually "experience" this wonderful nation!

Suji was aware of what she needed to do to introduce Korea to her friends' lives and, conceivably, to those of everyone else who was curious about a piece of Daehan Min-guk.