Planning a trip to see your favorite K-pop artist perform live in Korea? Possibly IU, TXT, Baekhyun, or any other of the many artists holding concerts in Seoul this year? Then you’re in luck! We’ve gathered up info on the best accommodations and hottest must-visit attractions near major concert venues for the perfect trip. With our guide in hand, all you have to do is decide which concert to attend!

1. Inspire Arena

Inspire Arena opened in December 2023 as Korea’s first venue exclusively for concerts. You might be wondering why that matters; compared with multipurpose arenas, Inspire Arena is able to provide a higher-quality experience through the use of cutting-edge sound technology. Despite having only opened in December of last year, many famous artists, including SHINee’s Taemin, TVXQ, and AKMU have performed here. Inspire Arena also served as the venue for large-scale music events Melon Music Awards (MMA 2023) and SBS Gayo Daejeon! The next big event planned here is a concert in March for popular American rock band Maroon 5.

1) Recommended accommodation: Inspire Entertainment Resort

Inspire Arena is located within Inspire Entertainment Resort, a large complex with a 5-star hotel divided over three towers. The rooms in each tower are uniquely decorated in the themes of ocean, sun, and forest. The many attractions and entertainment options within the resort helped it become a trending location on social media as soon as it opened. In particular, the Aurora light installation is extremely popular. The LED lights in the walls and ceiling create an almost 3D effect, giving off the feeling of walking through the ocean. The indoor water park Splash Bay is another popular attraction, offering thrilling water slides during the day and a fantastic pool party at night.

2) Nearby attractions

Just ten minutes by car is another resort complex, Paradise City, well-known among K-drama fans as a filming site for shows like “Hotel del Luna (2019)” and “Celebrity (2023).” Hop aboard the Yeongjong Seaside Rail Bike for a view of popular Incheon attractions like Incheondaegyo Bridge, Wolmido Island, and Songdo International City. Head to Sky Garden to take pictures with sunny yellow canola flowers in spring or colorful cosmos in fall. When you get hungry, head to one of the jogae gui (grilled clam) restaurants that overlook the sea at Eulwang-ri Beach.

2. Gocheok Sky Dome

Gocheok Sky Dome is the home stadium of the Korean pro-baseball team Kiwoom Heroes. Despite being a baseball stadium, it also hosts many outstanding concerts and events; recent concerts included Seventeen, NCT, BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, and TXT. Gamers worldwide watched the finals of the 2023 LoL World Championship take place here. The 2024 MLB Seoul Series will kick off here on March 20 with the LA Dodgers and San Diego Padres facing off.

1) Recommended accommodation: Ramada by Wyndham Seoul Sindorim

Ramada by Wyndham Seoul Sindorim is just 10 minutes away from Gocheok Sky Dome by bus. With weekday room rates under 100,000 won, it’s also affordable! The hotel is near Hyundai Department Store D-cube City, perfect for shopping, and is just a 5-minute walk from Sindorim Station so you can easily get around to other attractions in Seoul. When staying here, be sure to try out the hotel buffet; it is famous for offering a wide range of dishes that far exceeds what you might expect for the price.

2) Nearby attractions

Sindorim is synonymous with Hyundai D-cube City, a large shopping complex featuring famous brands. The 7th floor is D-cube Art Center, a theater designed for musicals. The current show running until May is Marie Antoinette, a fantastic Korean musical production that leaves nothing wanting. From Sindorim Station, it’s just a short subway ride over to Hongik Univ. Station, a major attraction for K-pop fans. There are plenty of music and K-pop merchandise shops here like With Mu AK PLAZA and K-pop Merchmedom, so you can fulfil all your K-pop dreams!

3. KSPO DOME

KSPO Dome is the largest arena within Olympic Park, built for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. As one of the older arenas in the Seoul metropolitan region, it has naturally served as the venue for a wide range of events, from various sporting competitions to concerts of top artists from Korea and abroad. Despite Gocheok Sky Dome offering more seating, KSPO Dome is seen among artists as a symbol of success due to its long history. Upcoming events include concerts for IU and Baekhyun in March, and the final round of the 2024 LoL Champions Korea Spring in April.

1) Recommended accommodation: Seoul Olympic Parktel

Seoul Olympic Parktel is a 3-star hotel that offers a convenient and affordable stay at just over 100,000 won a night and a 20-minute walk away from KSPO Dome. The hotel was recently remodeled, adding even more comfort. With all these great points, it’s no wonder that the hotel quickly gets booked up on days when there are concerts. If you’re planning to attend a concert at KSPO Dome, be sure to inquire about a room here as early as possible!

2) Nearby attractions

Songpa-gu is home to a number of popular and trendy attractions. If you aren’t scared of heights, head to the top of Lotte World Tower for an amazing view over the whole city. If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, then enjoy a walk around Seokchonhosu Lake, taking in the harmony of nature within the city. And don’t forget to plan for time at Lotte World Adventure, the second largest indoor theme park in the world! For food, be sure to stop by one of the cafés or restaurants along Songnidan-gil Street, a popular date location. Just be prepared to wait in line if you want to visit one of the more popular spots!

4. Jamsil Sports Complex

Despite being the home arena for Korean professional basketball team Seoul Samsung Thunders, Jamsil Sports Complex has amazing acoustics and is easily accessible, making it a popular concert venue for artists and the audience alike. Past concerts here include NCT, (G)I-DLE, BTS’ Suga last year, 2PM’s Jungho in January, and ITZY in February. This year also features an all-star lineup.

1) Recommended accommodation: Pharos Tourist Hotel

If you’re looking for a 3-star hotel within a 10-minutes’ walk of Jamsil Sports Complex, look no further than Pharos Tourist Hotel! With comfortable amenities at an affordable price, the hotel is very popular. Being located near Jamsilsaenae Station, it’s easy to visit popular attractions along Seoul Subway Line 2, including Jamsil, Gangnam, and Seongsu-dong. If you love Korean food, be sure to visit the food street behind the hotel. The restaurants here are open until late in the evening, giving you plenty of time to try it all, from Korean soul food “samso” (grilled pork belly and soju) to dakbal (grilled chicken feet) and chimaek (fried chicken and beer).

2) Nearby attractions

Songpa-gu is a must-visit area if you’re a K-pop fan. You can find a wide range of K-pop merchandise from pop-up stores at COEX’s Ktown4u, including albums, photo cards, light sticks, keyrings, and more. Stop by KWANGYA SEOUL in Seongsu-dong to see merch and media art of artists under SM Entertainment. You can take fun pictures with art toys that represent famous singers along K-star road. How about ending your trip with a picnic with ramyeon at Jamsil Hangang Park? This park frequently features as a date spot in K-dramas.

5. Jangchung Gymnasium

Jangchung Gymnasium was Korea’s first indoor sports center, opened in the ‘70s. As the home arena for two pro league volleyball teams, it hosts many volleyball games. Last year’s concerts and showcases that took place here include NMIXX, SHINee’s Minho, BTS’ Jungkook, and fromis_9.

1) Recommended accommodation: Summit Hotel Seoul

Summit Hotel is a five-minute walk from Jangchung Gymnasium. It’s also quite affordable, with weekday room rates at around 100,000 won per night. It is also located in the center of the city, making it easy to reach major attractions such as Myeong-dong, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Namsan Seoul Tower, and Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). With four different subway lines a short walk away, visitors can also travel to more distant attractions with ease. If you’re hungry, head to one of the nearby food streets, such as Jangchung-dong Jokbal Street, which offers a multitude of restaurants serving the tasty Korean dish of braised pigs’ feet.

2) Nearby attractions

Jung-gu, Seoul’s central district, is filled with many traditional and cultural attractions. For a taste of it all, head to Korea Tourism Organization’s tourism promotion hall HiKR Ground. Enjoy various K-content media art displays before taking fun videos in the K-pop music video stages here. Afterwards, head to Myeongdong Underground Shopping Mall to look at all the shops selling K-pop albums and other merchandise. If you’re a fan of BTS, you can’t leave out the National Museum of Korea! This was the filming location for “Dear Class of 2020,” which has over 100 million views on YouTube. Korean millennials and Gen Z like to visit Yongnidan-gil Street for the fashion boutiques and restaurants with great atmosphere.

* This column was last updated in February 2024, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to confirm details before visiting.