The Awon Museum & Hotel in Wanju, Jeollabuk-do, and its surrounding destinations have become a “hot place” among Koreans and foreigners alike because BTS visited there for photo shoots in 2019. Immerse yourself in the scenery that BTS admired in Changpo Village with a bridge, where BTS members sat; Wibongsanseong Fortress, where they took photos with its walls as a backdrop; Café BibBi-Nakan in Samnye-eup, where they had a drink overlooking the Mangyeonggang River; Oseongje Reservoir, where they were photographed on the embankment; as well as Awon Museum & Hotel, where they stayed for a few days. It will be a lot of fun to take pictures while mimicking their poses.

“My Garden,” a harmonious blend of hanok and modern architecture

In the past, Wanju used to list Daedunsan Cable Car, a famous place for autumn leaves, as the first place to visit in the area. However, after BTS’ visit, the photo shoot spots have become “hot places,” such as a tree in a small reservoir, a stone bridge over the stream, and a forgotten old fortress. Wanju erected a sign that reads “BTS Healing Place” in each place they visited.

The Awon Museum & Hotel was the main stage for the BTS Summer Package, and during the filming, it was rented out entirely, making it the longest-stayed location. Opened in November 2016, “Awon“ means “my garden.” It is an exquisite blend of a 250-year-old house and modern concrete architecture. The first floor is the gallery, with an impressive concrete structure, a sensual interior, and a ceiling that opens to reveal the blue sky and sunlight. If you go up to the second floor, you can see an authentic hanok (traditional Korean house) space. Manhyudang, which means “a place to put everything aside and rest,” is dominated by nature. The view of Jongnamsan Mountain is dazzling when you sit on the toenmaru (narrow wooden veranda), where BTS members used to sit and take pictures together. Aowon Museum & Hotel is located in Oseong Hanok Village, a quaint village with more than 20 hanok houses. As you walk through the street with tile-roofed houses on both sides, you’ll find a small bookstore and a cute café.

The beautiful view of Wanju BTS captured in their photos

BTS also visited Oseongje Reservoir, which is located below Oseong Hanok Village. The pine tree standing alone on the bank of the small reservoir is the shooting point. Mist fills the water in the morning, the sunset fills the reservoir in the evening, and the view of the blue mountain shadows on the water soothes the soul.

The Wibongsanseong Fortress was built over seven years from 1675 to protect the portrait of King Taejo of Joseon from the Jeonju Gyeonggijeon Shrine in an emergency. There were three fortress gates and eight auxiliary gates, but most of them have disappeared, and the west gate is the only one left. BTS took a photo above the arched stone gate. Wibongsa Temple and Wibongpokpo Falls are located 1 km away from here.

Some of the scenery BTS captured in their photos include Yongam Sanghoe in Changpo Village, a small bridge over the stream in the back; the Gyeonggaksan Mountain in Gui-myeon, where the members paraglided through the sky; and Café BiBi-Nakan in Samnye-eup, where they enjoyed the sunset overlooking the Mangyeonggang River. These are ordinary and simple landscapes, but they are like a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.