SEVENTEEN Seoul Pilgrimage: Must-Visit Spots for CARAT

SEVENTEEN was originally under Pledis Entertainment before joining HYBE in 2020. Their current agency building is the same HYBE headquarters BTS uses—42 Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu. Five-minute walk from Sinyongsan Station Exit 5. Plenty of fans come for exterior photos, but the interior is off-limits. The old Pledis building was at 26-11 Samseong-ro 75-gil, Gangnam-gu, near Samseong Station. This is where SEVENTEEN spent their trainee years, and it appears frequently in early 'SEVENTEEN Project' vlogs—the practice room, the narrow hallway, the rooftop where they'd sit and talk. It's no longer used as Pledis offices, but the building still stands and longtime fans occasionally stop by for photos. The 'Yongridangil' food street around the HYBE building is also covered in the BTS pilgrimage guide. SEVENTEEN fans often follow the same route—the photocard trading shops and fan cafes serve all HYBE groups. That said, the members' main activity radius is centered more around Seongsu-dong and the Gangnam-Apgujeong area, so plan your day accordingly. The area between the HYBE building and Seoul Station is walkable—about 20 minutes—and passes through Yongsan Electronics Market and Shukmyung Women's University neighborhood, which has affordable restaurants and cafes.

Going Seventeen changes location every episode, so the filming spot list keeps growing. Here are some that are easy to visit. Clover Bowling Alley (440 Siheung-daero, Geumcheon-gu) is where the 'Heng:garæ' album photos were shot. Vernon, The8, Mingyu, Wonwoo, Woozi, and Jeonghan all filmed here. A retro-style bowling alley with neon lighting that photographs well. Open weekdays 11:00–03:00, weekends 10:00–03:00. One game costs around 5,000 won, shoe rental included. DARKROOM Photomatic (27-2 Apgujeong-ro 4-gil, Gangnam-gu) appeared in the 'Let's Hang Out with Seventeen' vlog, where The8, Mingyu, and Vernon took film photos. It's a self-photo studio where you shoot on actual film cameras—you get the developed photos mailed to you later. Open daily 14:00–21:00. A roll of film plus development costs around 15,000–20,000 won. Per Se Flower & Style (19 Dosan-daero 99-gil, Gangnam-gu) is where Hoshi worked a part-time shift at a flower shop for the 'What if SEVENTEEN Shows a 17% Miracle?' episode. It specializes in real flower cakes—edible decorations made with actual flowers. Open 10:00–19:00, closed Sundays and Mondays. Cakes range from 50,000 to 80,000 won. Ttukseom Hangang Park is where Wonwoo, Vernon, Hoshi, and Woozi filmed a Reels challenge for Going Seventeen Episode 83. The park runs along the Han River—free entry, open 24 hours. Great spot for photos with the river and city skyline in the background. Accessible from Ttukseom Station (Line 2) or Ttukseom Park Station (Suin-Bundang Line).

Ki Bakery (11-2 Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu) is the bakery S.Coups, Vernon, and Mingyu visited in Going Seventeen Episode 75. Located in Seongsu-dong's café district, it's known for sourdough bread and pastries. Opens at 09:30, closes at 19:30, closed Sundays. Their croissants sell out by early afternoon, so go in the morning if that's what you're after. Podong Pudding (21 Seoul-sup 2-gil, Seongdong-gu) is a pudding shop that became famous after Seungkwan posted his photo in front of its yellow shutters. Near Seoul Forest, good for a walk-and-snack combo. Their signature custard pudding is around 5,500 won. Open daily 11:00–20:30. New York Lots O Bagels (28 Apgujeong-ro 48-gil, Gangnam-gu) is the bagel shop DK posted on Instagram with the caption 'Bagels are always a win.' They do New York-style bagels with cream cheese spreads and sandwiches. Weekdays 08:30–20:00, weekends 08:00–20:00. Expect weekend lines—it's popular beyond just the fan crowd. L'INCONNU (24 Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu) is a French-style ice cream shop where Mingyu posted a photo with his dog. A hidden gem near Dosan Park—small and easy to miss from the street, but the gelato is well-made. Around 6,000 won per scoop. Daebongjib (669-1 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu) is famous as the spot where the members gathered for a group live broadcast over drinks. Serves both grilled meat and gopchang (intestines). The atmosphere is classic Korean BBQ—smoke, soju, and conversation. Portions are generous.

Kwangwoon University's Donghae Culture & Arts Center (20 Kwangwoon-ro, Nowon-gu) is the filming location for the 'MAESTRO' music video and the venue for SEVENTEEN's first fan meeting. The building has a grand staircase and columned facade that the MV used to full effect. Ten-minute walk from Kwangwoon University Station on Line 1. For concerts, KSPO Dome (inside Olympic Park) is the main venue. The 'FOLLOW' AGAIN Tour (2024) Seoul shows were held here—KSPO Dome seats about 11,000 and has hosted SEVENTEEN multiple times. Olympic Park Station Exit 3. Gocheok Sky Dome (430 Gyeongin-ro, Guro-gu) has hosted large-scale fan meetings, with capacity around 25,000. SEVENTEEN holds the annual CARAT LAND fan meeting in Seoul, though the venue changes each year. Recent editions have been at KSPO Dome and Inspire Arena (Yeongjong-do, Incheon). CARAT LAND tickets are distributed through the official fan club and sell out almost instantly—international CARATʼs typically need to apply through Weverse. A side note: Seungkwan is from Jeju, so Jeju-related episodes pop up occasionally. His restaurant picks from 'I Live Alone' became hot topics among fans—particularly his black pork BBQ and seafood recommendations in Seogwipo—but those fall outside this Seoul guide. Check the Jeju guide separately.

THE8 (Xu Minghao) is the member who engages most actively with art and culture in SEVENTEEN. He's into calligraphy, ink wash painting, and contemporary art, and frequently posts museum visits on Instagram. Along with RM (BTS), he's considered one of K-pop's most prominent art enthusiasts. Leeum Museum of Art (60-16 Itaewon-ro 55-gil, Yongsan-gu, five-minute walk from Hangangjin Station Exit 2) is a place THE8 is known to have visited multiple times. Run by the Samsung Foundation of Culture, the museum consists of three buildings designed by Mario Botta, Jean Nouvel, and Rem Koolhaas respectively. It's one of the few museums in Seoul where you can see traditional Korean art and contemporary works under one roof. The permanent collection is free; special exhibitions have separate admission. Samcheong-dong Gallery Street (from Anguk Station Exit 1 toward Samcheong-dong) is home to major galleries like Kukje Gallery, Gallery Hyundai, and Hakgojae. Most are free to enter, and exhibitions rotate frequently, so you'll see something different each time. This area is unquestionably the heart of Seoul's contemporary art scene. Wonwoo is the member known for loving films and reading, and he's said to frequent independent bookstores and cinemas around Seoul. Yeonnam-dong (Hongdae Station Exit 3) has a cluster of small indie bookshops, independent cinemas, and cozy cafés that make it a natural fit for tracing Wonwoo's tastes. Walk along the Gyeongui Line Forest Park and you can follow a green corridor stretching from Yeonnam-dong all the way to Yeontral Park.

SEVENTEEN's current agency HYBE is based in Yongsan, but the members' actual activity zone is heavily concentrated in Seongsu-dong. Seongsu-dong is also the neighborhood where SM Entertainment's headquarters is located. SEVENTEEN has connections with both SM and HYBE artists, and Seongsu-dong itself is Seoul's trendiest café and dining district—so members are spotted there regularly. Seoul Forest (273 Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul Forest Station Exit 3) is both the starting point for a Seongsu-dong trip and a destination that can fill half a day on its own. Spanning over 1.15 million square meters, it has an ecological forest, a deer enclosure, a butterfly garden, and a wetland ecology center—all free to enter. Cherry blossoms in spring, fall foliage in autumn, and on weekends it's packed with Seoulites picnicking. Grabbing bread from Ki Bakery (11-2 Seongsui-ro) and eating it in Seoul Forest is a course worth doing even if you're not a SEVENTEEN fan. From Seoul Forest Station, it's a 10-minute walk to Seongsu-dong's café street. Seongsu-dong used to be an industrial zone packed with shoe factories and printing shops. Starting in the mid-2010s, renovated factory buildings began filling up with cafés and galleries, completely transforming the area. Today it's one of the densest café neighborhoods in Seoul. Converted factory cafés like Daelim Changgo are well-known, and pop-up stores open constantly—you'll find something new every time you visit. For CARATʼs, here's the ideal Seongsu-dong route: Ki Bakery (morning, grab bread) → Seoul Forest walk (1–2 hours) → Podong Pudding (snack break) → Seongsu-dong café street exploration → photo in front of the SM building (including KWANGYA shopping). The whole thing takes half a day to a full day. Start from Ttukseom Station (Line 2) or Seoul Forest Station (Suin-Bundang Line) for easy access.