South Korea Trip 2016 Part 3: KPop Immersion (JYP, FNC, SM & YG Headquarters), Hongdae
September 19, 2016
Parts 1 and 2 can be found here.
Day 3 (April 15, 2016) | JYP, FNC, SM, YG + Hongdae
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Day 3 (April 15, 2016) | JYP, FNC, SM, YG + Hongdae
Our 3rd full day in South Korea started later than usual since 1.) we had no major activities scheduled in the morning and 2.) we wanted to sleep in lol. Two jam-packed days really did our body good and a sound sleep was more than welcome. Jj, being the master planner that he is, allotted this day for our Kpop Pilgrimage (lol) so it was kind of a ~chill~ morning. If my memory serves me right, we woke up at around 9am and after taking a bath and all those necessary preparations, we were able to leave the guest house at 10:30AM.
I also have to say that I was beyond excited for this day's plans because finally, I would be living one of my fangirl dreams! Traveling to South Korea is one of those (breathing the same air with the Kpop idols hello!) but actually seeing the entertainment agencies where my biases usually are is another thing!! For your reference (lol), I am a JYP stan, Jodie is an SM stan, and Kwik is a YG stan. Perfect!
I also have to say that I was beyond excited for this day's plans because finally, I would be living one of my fangirl dreams! Traveling to South Korea is one of those (breathing the same air with the Kpop idols hello!) but actually seeing the entertainment agencies where my biases usually are is another thing!! For your reference (lol), I am a JYP stan, Jodie is an SM stan, and Kwik is a YG stan. Perfect!
{Back to regular programming}
For brunch, we ate in the McDonald's branch near Myeongdong subway station. It's my goal to eat in the McDonald's of every country I visit so I can try their local menu.
Right after brunch, we rode the subway to Cheongdam Station then from Cheongdam Station, we walked to the JYP Entertainment building. This blog served as our guide.
On our way to the JYP Headquarters, we saw this sign which illustrates where the other Kpop-related buildings or landmarks are. This sign is posted on the road on the left side of the Baskins-Robbins store.
Walking further into that road, we spotted the JYP Building. Seeing it in real life was surreal ok! "Am I really here? Is this the actual building that I see in YouTube videos??" were some of the thoughts that were running in my head. You might think I'm exaggerating if you're not a fangirl/fanboy, but I know that all the Kpop fangirls/fanboys all over the universe know what I'm talking about! ;)
So awkward but I wouldn't miss the chance to have my photo taken with the building! I mean GOT7 works there!!
Group photo at Dunkin Donuts~
We ordered some coffee and donuts while anticipating and waiting! Jj just ate to his heart's content because he ain't a Kpop fanboy lol.
A selca is mandatory for this experience! I took this photo for the JYP building background~
Raj and Jodie were able to get Bernard Park's signature and (sweet) message! He was so kind :)
We rode the subway from Apgujeong Rodeo Station to Hapjeong Station since our next destination was the YG Entertainment building! The train ride is an hour long but we didn't mind that since we were able to rest our tired feet during the transit. We arrived at Hapjeong at 4:15PM. From Hapjeong Station, we followed the directions from this blog.
Past 9PM, we decided to head home since we had to wake up extra early the next day. I remember us walking to the subway station for around 20 mins, not entirely sure if we were lost already. We had to ask a local if we were going to the right direction lol.
This was also the last time we visited Hongdae for this trip. Saddd. We even took note of some restaurants in Hongdae we wanted to eat in! Oh well. Next time, next time! It was still an amazing day because ~fangirling dreams~ heehee :)
SPEAKING OF FANGIRLING, PLEASE SUPPORT GOT7'S LATEST COMEBACK ON SEPTEMBER 27!! FLIGHT LOG: TURBULENCE! Second year in a row where GOT7 has promotions for this time of the year + same angsty concept as well (just like last year!). Watch the trailer that was released yesterday! It's connected to FLIGHT LOG: DEPARTURE and it will make you craaaazy, All these theories ahhh! It honestly made me cry -_- Can't wait for the photo teaser to be released at 12AM KST. Also, second year in a row where GOT7 released photo teasers on my birthday yay! :D Please please please watch the trailer, actor Jinyoung (ultimate bias forever) will not disappoint you! :D
I got the McSpicy Shanghai Burger (not available in the PH and it was indeed very spicy!), 2 of my friends got the Deluxe Shrimp Burger (not available in the PH) and someone got a Big Mac! It was a very filling meal.
Right after brunch, we rode the subway to Cheongdam Station then from Cheongdam Station, we walked to the JYP Entertainment building. This blog served as our guide.
On our way to the JYP Headquarters, we saw this sign which illustrates where the other Kpop-related buildings or landmarks are. This sign is posted on the road on the left side of the Baskins-Robbins store.
Walking further into that road, we spotted the JYP Building. Seeing it in real life was surreal ok! "Am I really here? Is this the actual building that I see in YouTube videos??" were some of the thoughts that were running in my head. You might think I'm exaggerating if you're not a fangirl/fanboy, but I know that all the Kpop fangirls/fanboys all over the universe know what I'm talking about! ;)
The famous JYP Headquarters facade with the the collage of its artists' most recent album covers (at this time - April 15, 2016)
So awkward but I wouldn't miss the chance to have my photo taken with the building! I mean GOT7 works there!!
Since we would be spending at least an hour (or two) around the area to hopefully see some idols, we stayed in the Dunkin Donuts in front of JYP. Raj followed us there as well. I was hoping to see GOT7 (bias group!) but at this time, they were at Music Bank pre-recording for Home Run promotions. For every van that arrived in the building when we were there, we were hoping it would be GOT7. Unfortunately, they didn't go back to JYP anymore. I think they stayed at the KBS building until it was time for the live Music Bank show. Waiting was still worth it because we saw other JYP artists -- Nichkhun, Chansung and Bernard Park! Yay! Another experience added to my fangirl dreams. Level up lol!
I also have to mention that nope, we didn't harass the idols when we saw them. All we did was wave and say hi... like normal fangirls! Well, we did ask for Bernard Park's autograph but we gauged his mood first before doing so. :)
Group photo at Dunkin Donuts~
We ordered some coffee and donuts while anticipating and waiting! Jj just ate to his heart's content because he ain't a Kpop fanboy lol.
A selca is mandatory for this experience! I took this photo for the JYP building background~
Raj and Jodie were able to get Bernard Park's signature and (sweet) message! He was so kind :)
Those ~2 hours hanging around the JYP building made us conclude how it's so difficult to park your car in JYP?? I think there are 3-4 rows of cars inside. When you have to use the car at the innermost row, you have to move the cars at the outermost rows since these are blocking the driveway. We observed this "moving the cars" thing more than twice in our stay there LOL. Poor driver. We joked that we'd be willing to work as the driver who would move the cars around if that means seeing the idols on a daily basis.... LOL HAHA!
After accepting my fate that I wouldn't be able to see GOT7 within the day, we walked to the FNC building. We really didn't wait around for idols here. FTISLAND was my first ever bias group, with Jaejin as my first ever ultimate bias, so I was happy to see their headquarters!
Next stop would be SM Entertainment! It was just a few minutes walk from the FNC building.
On our way to SM~
The blue SM building! It was pretty empty when we were there -- not much fans around. There is a park in front of the building and you can chill there while waiting for the idols. We didn't stay long though because we really didn't think an idol would be around the area at that time.
From the SM Ent. building, we walked to K-Star Road to see the Gangnamdols (see statues below). On the Gangnamdol path, you would see various Gangnamdols designed to show off your idol groups' personalities. K-Star Road is located near Apgujeong Rodeo Station so it is quite a long walk coming from SM. You will also be able to see SM's old building (now their Global Artist Training Center) in this area and you will know that it's the SM building because of the large posters of SM artists covering the facade. It was being renovated when we were there.
I posed with the FTISLAND Gangnamdol because first ever bias group and 2PM because #JYPNation. Too bad there was no GOT7 Gangnamdol!
We rode the subway from Apgujeong Rodeo Station to Hapjeong Station since our next destination was the YG Entertainment building! The train ride is an hour long but we didn't mind that since we were able to rest our tired feet during the transit. We arrived at Hapjeong at 4:15PM. From Hapjeong Station, we followed the directions from this blog.
The architecture of the YG building is modern-looking and has a unique yet aesthetically-pleasing structure. I think it perfectly represents YG as a company.
Another part of the YG Headquarters
This time around, we waited for some idols to appear before our very eyes lol. Good thing there is a GS25 convenience store near the building so we were able to hang out and eat some afternoon snacks.
So they actually sell Piattos in South Korea?? :o
Once again, Jj eating while we were waiting for Kpop idols lol!
One of our favorite Korean snacks introduced by Jodie: Honey Milk Chips!! Oh, and spot Raj super near the YG building haha!
Look at these fangirls waiting and waiting and waiting... it's been more than 30 minutes of waiting now! 화이팅!
Almost an hour of waiting was worth it though because... we saw 3 members from WINNER!
Photos from Kwik!
Not only that... Nam Taehyun even took a photo of us! So sweet and kind waaaah! Video and photo as proof below!
While this was happening, we were absolutely stunned. Who whould've thought an actual interaction with a Kpop idol would occur? WE REALLY ARE LUCKY!
Honestly, before this incident, I wasn't a big WINNER fan. I do like some of their songs and "Sentimental" was in my current Spotify playlist during my Korea trip. After seeing how kind they are (especially Taehyun!), I suddenly became a fan!!!
Since we were able to achieve our goal of seeing Kpop idols (we definitely achieved more than that!), we could finally leave YG with a peace of mind lol.
Dinner would be at Hongdae so we took the subway to Hongik University Station/Hongdae Station, just a station away from Hapjeong.
Taken around the YG building. The sky is getting dark~ The colors remind me of GOT7's Flight Log: Departure album!
I personally like the vibe Hongdae has: young, energetic, and artsy. An area filled with university students, street art, hipster-looking restaurants, stalls selling cool items, and groups dancing to Kpop songs. It has such a happy and lively atmosphere! Kwik and I bought a cheap cap here.
Street art makes a better world
And me, posing with the street art because I belong~ Pastel colors!! Also wearing a big fluffy scarf because the weather got colder!
University students dancing to Kpop songs. They dance so well! I heard Twice's "Like Ohh Ahh" more than twice that night... lol.
The place where we had our dinner
Galbi and cheese??? Yes please! Basically, you have to wrap the galbi with the gooey cheese. It was so yummy! I ate this with kimchi rice.
Photo wall in the restaurant
The street where the restaurant is located
After dinner, we roamed around Hongdae for awhile. We checked out the restaurants and stores, watched the people dancing and singing, etc. We actually wanted to have dessert but I don't know why we didn't push through with that plan?
There was this poop mascot singing Cherry Blossom Ending by Busker Busker -- the ultimate spring song in South Korea!
Vibrant Hongdae
This was also the last time we visited Hongdae for this trip. Saddd. We even took note of some restaurants in Hongdae we wanted to eat in! Oh well. Next time, next time! It was still an amazing day because ~fangirling dreams~ heehee :)
SPEAKING OF FANGIRLING, PLEASE SUPPORT GOT7'S LATEST COMEBACK ON SEPTEMBER 27!! FLIGHT LOG: TURBULENCE! Second year in a row where GOT7 has promotions for this time of the year + same angsty concept as well (just like last year!). Watch the trailer that was released yesterday! It's connected to FLIGHT LOG: DEPARTURE and it will make you craaaazy, All these theories ahhh! It honestly made me cry -_- Can't wait for the photo teaser to be released at 12AM KST. Also, second year in a row where GOT7 released photo teasers on my birthday yay! :D Please please please watch the trailer, actor Jinyoung (ultimate bias forever) will not disappoint you! :D
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