The appeal of this day is wonderfully specific: you can see the Pyeongchang house where BTS filmed IN THE SOOP, then visit Hyangho Beach and its BTS photo stop. I like that the tour links two real filming locations in one outing, and that an English-speaking guide handles the long drive from Seoul.
I also like the fan-minded touches. Guides such as Jade, Sunny and Zoey have led lively trips with BTS quizzes, songs and help taking photos, while the package includes a snack and an official merchandise set. The main drawback is the distance: this is a long day on the road, and lunch costs extra.
- Key points to know before you go
- What the Seoul day trip really involves
- The IN THE SOOP house in Pyeongchang
- Lunch is a separate part of the budget
- Hyangho Beach and the BTS photo stop
- Guides, group size and the ride
- Is 1.55 good value?
- Who should book this BTS tour?
- FAQ
- How much does the Seoul tour cost?
- What time does the tour leave and return?
- What locations does the tour visit?
- Is lunch included?
- What is included in the price?
- Can the tour be canceled if too few people book?
- What happens if bad weather makes the tour unsafe?
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Key points to know before you go
- Two BTS-linked stops: Visit the IN THE SOOP Pyeongchang filming site and the BTS album photo location at Hyangho Beach.
- A full day away from Seoul: Departure is scheduled for 7:20 a.m., with a return at about 8:30 p.m. Traffic and weather can change the timing.
- Ninety minutes at the filming site: That is the planned viewing time at the IN THE SOOP location, with an English-speaking guide.
- Lunch is on your own: The schedule allows an hour, but food is not included. Bring money and be ready to choose from the available options.
- Transport depends on the group: At least seven people are needed to operate the tour. A small group may mean a smaller vehicle, so confirm vehicle arrangements if this matters to you.
- A fan-friendly extra: The tour includes one set of official IN THE SOOP merchandise and a rest-stop snack.
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What the Seoul day trip really involves
The Seoul option costs from $171.55 and runs from Seoul to Pyeongchang and Hyangho Beach, then back to Seoul. The scheduled day lasts about 13 hours, from the 7:20 a.m. departure to the 8:30 p.m. return. The drive is a substantial part of the experience, not a quick transfer between nearby sights.
That long ride has a practical upside: reaching these locations independently can take more planning, and a bus tour puts the transport, admission and English-speaking guide together. On some trips, guides have made the journey part of the fun with BTS music, quizzes, games and Korean phrases. If you are traveling solo, the shared fan atmosphere may also make the hours on the road feel less like dead time.
The experience is best understood as a BTS fan outing, not a general Pyeongchang sightseeing tour. Its value rests on the meaning of the locations to you, the convenience of getting between them, and the time you have to take photos. If you are not especially interested in BTS, the long drive may be a lot to pay for two specific stops.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Gangwon.
The IN THE SOOP house in Pyeongchang
The main stop is at Phoenix Pyeongchang Snow Park, where the IN THE SOOP BTS ver. filming location is found. The planned visit lasts 90 minutes. That gives you time to look around and take photos without reducing the stop to a quick walk-through, though it is not an open-ended visit.
It helps to set your expectations before you arrive. The filming setting is smaller in person than it may appear on screen. That is part of the charm: you are seeing an actual place associated with the show, rather than a large attraction built to imitate it. For a fan, the details and the connection to the series are the point. For someone without that connection, the scale may feel modest.
A guide can make the visit easier to enjoy. Guides including Jade, Sunny and Eunji have been praised for keeping groups engaged and helping with photos. Some have also shared BTS details or organized activities on the ride. The specific guide changes, so treat those names as examples, not a promise. The English-speaking guide is included, but how much fan trivia or bus entertainment you get may depend on who is leading the day.
The tour includes admission to the attractions and an official IN THE SOOP merchandise set. That is a welcome extra for fans, especially if you want a physical reminder of the day. Merchandise can be a bonus rather than the main reason to book: the details of the set are not specified, and you should not assume it will be a particular BTS member item or photo card.
Lunch is a separate part of the budget
The schedule sets aside one hour for lunch at about 1:30 p.m., but the meal is not included. Keep some room in your budget for food and drinks, and remember that the available choices may depend on the group’s arrangements that day.
A Korean restaurant serving buckwheat naengmyeon and suyuk was one especially appreciated option on a past trip. That is a useful idea if it is offered, but it is not a guaranteed restaurant or menu. If you have dietary needs, the tour information does not specify how meals are handled, so ask the operator before booking rather than counting on a particular choice.
The tour also includes a snack at a rest stop, such as a twist potato. It is a small extra, not a meal replacement. I would bring water and any snack you know you will want during a long day, especially if you prefer not to wait until lunch.
Hyangho Beach and the BTS photo stop
The second featured location is Hyangho Beach, scheduled for about 3:30 p.m. with an hour to spend there. The stop includes the BTS album photo location at the bus stop. This is the moment many fans are looking forward to: you can see the familiar setting, take your own photos and enjoy the coast around it.
The photo stop can draw other BTS fans, so be patient if there is a wait. The schedule allows more time than a quick roadside photo, but an hour is still finite. If taking pictures is important to you, have your phone or camera ready and follow your guide’s directions so the group can make the most of the stop.
This is also a good reason to bring a light layer and check the forecast. The tour may be canceled if weather creates safety concerns, and conditions can affect how pleasant it is to spend time outside. The operator says it will contact you the day before in that situation and issue a full refund.
Guides, group size and the ride
The guide is an important part of a day with so much driving. Past guides have included Jade, Sunny, Zoey, Mark, Atoko, Eunji and Mr. Lee. Fan guides have sometimes added games, BTS songs and photo assistance, while solo participants have found it easy to connect with other ARMYs on the trip. These are useful signs of the tour’s character, but your guide and the activities on board can vary.
The tour requires at least seven participants to operate. If the minimum is not met, it may be canceled, and the operator says it will contact you individually. You should receive a confirmation text three to four days before the trip. Your booking voucher is for reference; the final confirmation comes by text.
One practical point deserves attention: the vehicle may not always be a full-size bus. A small group has sometimes traveled in a minivan, and one traveler found that uncomfortable on the long drive. Other trips have used clean, comfortable buses or smaller vehicles that suited a group of seven. If legroom or vehicle size is important to you, ask the operator what is planned for your date.
The tour departs at 7:20 a.m. from the specified Seoul meeting point. Arrive at least 10 minutes early. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable, so do not plan to arrive at the last minute. The scheduled return to Seoul is 8:30 p.m., though traffic and weather may alter the day.
Is $171.55 good value?
At a starting price of $171.55, this is not a bargain bus ride. But the price includes round-trip transfers from Seoul, admission, an English-speaking guide, a snack and official merchandise. You are also paying for the convenience of connecting two locations that are a long way from the capital, without having to organize the route yourself.
The value is strongest if you are an ARMY and want to visit both sites in one day. You get meaningful time at the Pyeongchang location and Hyangho Beach, plus a guide who may add context and help with photos. The gift is a nice extra, but I would judge the price mainly by the transport and the chance to visit the filming locations.
If you are comparing packages, the available choices also include Busan to IN THE SOOP and back, and Busan to IN THE SOOP with a return to Seoul, both from $216.50. The detailed schedule and inclusions described here apply to the Seoul to IN THE SOOP to Seoul option. Check the details for the Busan packages before booking, as their route and arrangements differ.
The price is the same for all ages, and the activity has no age limit. Meals, personal expenses and travel accident insurance are not included. Changes are allowed until seven days before the activity, subject to the stated exceptions. A full refund is available if you cancel at least seven days before the activity date.
Who should book this BTS tour?
I would book this if the IN THE SOOP house and Hyangho Beach matter to you enough to justify a very long day. It is especially well suited to fans who want the photos, the official gift and the company of other ARMYs, or to solo visitors who would rather have transport and a guide arranged.
Think twice if you are mainly looking for general scenery, dislike long bus rides or need a guaranteed large vehicle. The trip is built around two fan locations, and the drive takes up much of the day. For BTS fans, though, that trade can make sense: the locations are the reason to go, and the tour makes reaching both of them far simpler.
IN THE SOOP BTS ver. Pyeongchang Filming Location Tour
“Sarah was amazing! This is a must do tour for any true ARMY!”
FAQ
How much does the Seoul tour cost?
The Seoul to IN THE SOOP to Seoul option starts at $171.55. The listed price applies to all ages.
What time does the tour leave and return?
Departure is scheduled for 7:20 a.m., and the return to Seoul is scheduled for about 8:30 p.m. Arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before departure.
What locations does the tour visit?
The tour visits the IN THE SOOP BTS ver. filming location at Phoenix Pyeongchang Snow Park and the BTS album photo location at Hyangho Beach.
Is lunch included?
No. The schedule allows one hour for lunch, but meals are not included.
What is included in the price?
The tour includes admission to the attractions, an English-speaking guide, a snack, one set of official IN THE SOOP merchandise and round-trip transfers from the meeting point.
Can the tour be canceled if too few people book?
Yes. At least seven participants are required for the tour to operate. If the minimum is not met, the tour may be canceled and the operator will contact you.
What happens if bad weather makes the tour unsafe?
The tour may be canceled if weather creates safety concerns. The operator says it will contact you the day before and provide a full refund.
