wanna expand your horizons about the kpop world🤔

even if you're not a kpop fan, you definitely would have heard of this kpop group call BTS and their agency, hybe (previously known as big hit labels)! today, i'll be sharing with you my experience on visiting the agency's museum (aka hybe insight) and whether you should add this to your korea trip itinerary 🤔

— THINGS TO DO BEFORE THE VISIT

before even going to korea, me being that typical kiasu singaporean decided to check out the website to see if there's anything i've to prep and I WAS RIGHT! to make things simple, here are some things you SHOULD DO before your visit, just so that you won't face much hiccups on the actual day of your visit:

✅ download the hybe insight app and create an account inside it

— super important because you'll be using this app throughout your visit, be it for the QR key (for the entrance) or the exhibition guides/ installation

✅ make a reservation for your visit under the hyde insight app/ website

— remember to opt for photo ticket if you'd like to receive a physical copy of the tickets + a picture of your favourite member from any of the groups under hybe

— click here to get started!

✅ once you've make your reservation, remember to arrive at the museum early (max 30 minutes before the time slot)

— as long as you're there 30 minutes or less before the time slot, all's good because thats when the QR key will be generated for your entrance

— do note that they will not entertain those who come in 10 mins after the selected time slot + you will not get a refund if you don't end up going for the exhibition

once all these are done, you are pretty much set to go for the visit! 🤩

— WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AT HYBE INSIGHT

regardless of the time slot you have chosen, the visit will be conducted within 2 hours and you'll be exploring at 2 different floors. to simplify the process, i'll be breaking down into into 4 parts: the entrance area, the waiting area, the B1 and B2 floor!

🛎 AT ENTRANCE AREA

while walking down the entrance, there are lockers and cubby around the area, allowing me to store my belongings and umbrella during the visit. both the lockers and cubby has its own lock combination so fret not about misplacing your items or someone grabbing yours by mistake!

🛎 AT WAITING AREA

after entering the building, i was brought to a waiting area, where all the other museum-goers are gathered. as i've opted for photo tickets during my reservation, i've picked it up at the counter and you could imagine the excitement i had once i saw the ticket (i picked seventeen's wonwoo)😆 once the time is nearing the given time slot, a staff welcomed the group of us and gave a short briefing about what the museum is about and the do's and don's when experiencing this exhibition. i was also gifted a complimentary coloured bag right before enterting the museum (apparently each time slot has a different colour and mine happened to be blue)!

🛎 AT B1

i was fascinated by the world of music through the eyes of numerous hybe artists on this floor. i was actually impressed by the amount of hard work being put into the craft we see on TV, from the producers' point of view and the process of generating music to the choreography component and even the storylines some of these performers have. while it may appear uninteresting to some because it focuses on the behind-the-scenes effort rather than the artists up front, it is a component that i appreciate and am intrigued about because it is rarely discussed or presented on TV!

🛎 AT B2

i first discovered a special exhibition, which apparently rotates every few months, so keep your fingers crossed for an exciting display during your stay. i wasn't too interested in it, so i only strolled through it briefly before proceeding to the main show. this level concentrates on the artists themselves, with numerous displays showcasing each group's dynamic branding as well as things intimately associated with them. some examples of these displays include the clothes worn during music videos and performances, the rings worn by seventeen and various magazine articles about the artists!

among the zones in this floor, here are some exhibits that i think you should keep your eyes opened on

1️⃣ beat challenge — it's an interactive exhibit that allows you to match the best to the songs on display, think of it as you're playing a beat rhythm game (e.g. tap tap revenge, superstar) but on a larger screen 🤣

2️⃣ let's move — another interactive exhibit! this one allows you to experience the songs through various movements and you'll be able to send a video of this experience to yourself as a souvenir, how cool is that? 😎

there are also zones dedicated to the making of the permission to dance concert in seoul as a special treat for ARMYs (fandom name for BTS). even though i'm not a big fan of BTS, it's amazing to see all these previously unseen photos and videos of them and the staff working hard to put on a spectacular show for their fans and the audience!

to conclude the exhibition, i was charmed by a display containing all of the albums ever recorded by the hybe artists, as well as a shop where you can purchase various merchandise. after much consideration, i ended up purchasing a "euphoria room spray" just because the price seems to justify its purpose 🤭

— PROS ⭕️

• highly recommend this place for those who are specifically fans of kpop artists under hybe (especially BTS) —> you'll really get a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes your favourite groups

• not your ordinary kind of exhibition —> it's filled with lots of interactive elements and really just pushes you to immerse yourself into the experience

• friendly and efficient staff —> you don't have to worry about language barrier as they will conduct the guide in english and korean

• convenient location —> just a few bus stops away from yongsan station

— CONS ❌

• staff are quite strict on photography & videography —> you're not allowed to take any photos or videos at B1 floor + you can only take photos at B2 floor 😔

• ticket price might be costly especially if you choose to opt for the photo ticket option —> tickets are priced around 22,000 to 25,000 krw

• if you're planning to visit because you're a fan of other artists such as seventeen & tomorrow by together, you might wanna reconsider coming because they aren't featured as much as bts (especially since at B2 floor, there are a number of zones dedicated for the bts concert) —> i still think it's worth a shot to visit it at least once but maybe not frequently

• the tour is strictly at 2 hours no more or less —> so if you're not keen on spending that much time here then again, you might wanna reconsider if you should put this in your itinerary

— FINAL THOUGHTS

to sum it up, i would recommend those who are interested in the kpop industry and fans of the artists under hybe to visit this museum due to the pros i've stated! i'll also recommend those who enjoy going to museums to consider this as the exhibition is super interactive and engaging, definitely something that you won't find at the museums in singapore. however since the museum is very centric about the kpop world, i'd suggest those who aren't very interested in this aspect to give this place a skip 👍🏻

📍b1/ b2, hybe yongsan, 42, hangang-daero, yongsan-gu, seoul

⏰ 4pm - 10pm (weekdays), 3 - 9.30pm (sat), 10am - 9.30pm (sun)

🖥 website

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