An itinerary in the footsteps of K-pop and K-drama

After arriving at Incheon airport, head for Seoul, the birthplace of K-pop, and your accommodation. The first day is devoted to a real classic: K-Star Road in Apgujeong. This road is no Hollywood Boulevard, but its atmosphere is well worth the effort. Located near the upmarket Gangnam district, Apgujeong is known as an entertainment and leisure district. Its restaurants and attractions are frequented by popular Korean celebrities.

The Galleria is a huge shopping centre dedicated to luxury brands and the Gangnam Doll Haus is dedicated to really cute miniature teddy bears featuring favourite K-pop groups such as BTS, 2PM, Miss A, Girl's Generation, EXO...

For fans of EXO, SHINee, or Super Junior, the SMTOWN Coex Artium will be the place to be. What is SMTOWN Coex Artium? It's a mini theme park dedicated to the bands and superstars of SM Entertainment (a world-famous entertainment and talent agency), and consists of 6 floors of shops, shows and even a museum. There are exhibitions of local artists and photographs, as well as shows (to be seen according to the schedule) including hologram projections of artists and concerts.

For the afternoon, head to the LINE Friends Store in the Itaewon district. It's literally a paradise for soft toys and stationery, as well as character clothing and seasonal merchandise from K-pop groups.

Where to sleep

⭐ Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel perfectly combines elegance and comfort, with ultra-modern rooms. Its location is perfect as it is just a 3-minute walk from Itaewon Station. In the rooms, artistic murals and mirrors create a futuristic atmosphere.

Seoul is certainly the hotspot for lively places, but there are also some incredible places in the surrounding area. For the second day, a short trip to Nami Island is a must, especially if you like K-dramas. The island was first made famous in the film Winter Sonata, then appeared in High School King and Rosy Lovers too. The island is beautiful all year round, each season bringing its own floral identity. It's the perfect time for a photo opportunity, especially at Metasequoia.

Where to eat?

Dongmun, a family-run Asian restaurant on the island, serves Korean and South-East Asian dishes such as Jajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce with beef) and spicy Dakgalbi (grilled chicken).

After lunch and a little stroll around the island to digest, we return to Seoul to discover the Myeongdong district, a must-see! This is one of the city's main shopping districts, where you can find everything from familiar international brands to authentic vintage boutiques and small independent shops.

You'll especially find cosmetics shops linked to the world of K-Pop, such as The Face shop and Innisfree. Another shop not to be missed is Buruttrak, which sells K-Pop albums as well as posters, travel cards, calendars, badges, stickers and all sorts of gadgets.

Myeongdong is a temple of food stalls. The stalls offer everything from seafood, cheese and meat to fried foods, bread and pastries.

Where to sleep?

⭐ Myeongdong Misskorea

Myeongdong Misskorea, in the centre of Seoul, offers air-conditioned rooms, a shared lounge, free Wi-Fi and a terrace. A buffet and American breakfast is served each morning. It is just a few minutes from Myeongdong Station, the cathedral and Namdaemun Market.

On the third day, we'll be living the dream of a K-Drama as we visit the magnificent Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul's grandest and most famous palace. You can watch the Royal Guard changing ceremony at 10am and 2pm (Monday to Wednesday) before exploring the palace grounds. The vast grounds and spacious buildings have been preserved since 1395.

The royal tour continues to the village of Bukchon Hanok, just a short walk from the palace. This was once a traditional residential area for the nobility during the Joseon period in the 14th century. Today, it is mainly visited for its traditional houses known as hanok. Get lost in the tiny alleyways while admiring the tiled roofs, cafés and art shops lining the streets. A beautiful mix of old and new.

Where to eat?

At Osegyehyang, a vegan restaurant tucked away in the streets of Insadong.

In the afternoon, perch on the N Seoul Tower. A landmark not to be missed, it offers a popular and spectacular spectacle. As well as having an unbeatable view of the city, you can visit the Hanbok Culture Experience Centre in the tower to try your hand at Korean hanbok.

Where to sleep?

⭐ Ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong-dong

The stylish Ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong-dong is a 2-minute walk from Myeongdong Subway Station (line 4) and a 15-minute walk from N Seoul Tower. The hotel has a modern and colourful décor and all rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, work desk and electric kettle.

On day 4, we explore the Daeo bookshop near Gyeongbokgung Palace. Fans of BTS will recognise this place, which has been visited by rapper RM/Namjoon and has become a viral spot on social networks. The random arrangement of books in the bookshop gives it a rustic feel, and its vintage interior gives the impression of being in another era.

Next stop: a stroll around the campus of Ewha Womans University. With its beautifully organised gardens, sprawling green spaces and neoclassical buildings, the magnificent complex is an attraction in itself.

Where to eat?

At Agak Agak in the popular district of Hongdae, a Malaysian restaurant (for a change from Korean cuisine). You can try Nasi goreng (fried rice), the famous chicken satay and fried noodles.

After lunch, it's time to explore Hongdae shopping street. This university district is full of trendy and affordable bargains, trendy cafés and street artists. Dancers showing off their talents are a common sight.

Where to sleep?

⭐ Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae

Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae offers air-conditioned rooms, a gym, free Wi-Fi and a garden. This 4-star hotel has a restaurant, bar and shared lounge and provides room service. All rooms have a terrace with river and city views.

On the last day in Seoul, K-pop fans will be able to step into their shoes for a dance class. Go to Hongik University Station in Seoul. The classes take place in the Real K-pop Dance Studio. For 90 minutes, professional dancers teach you the moves, the attitude, the style... in the end you'll be able to perfectly execute a fun choreography based on music clips.

All the instructors are professional dancers. They have performed with famous K-pop groups such as Big Bang and Super Junior Star.

Where to eat?

At the Kyochon Chicken Dongdaemun restaurant before heading to the airport for your flight home, where you can choose between jajangmyeon (black bean noodles), Dakdoritang (spicy braised chicken) and fried dishes.

Now it's time to relax and enjoy a leisurely stroll near Cheonggyecheon. This man-made stream is a popular leisure spot, lined with shops, footbridges and greenery. In summer and spring, locals and tourists alike don't hesitate to dip their feet in the cool water!

Afterwards, take a stroll along Seoullo 7017 (also known as Sky Garden) and enjoy a series of footbridges near Seoul station and historic buildings. There are also plenty of green spaces perfect for sitting back and relaxing.

To round off this little K-pop itinerary, what better way than to hold hands with idols... LOTTE Star Avenue is lined with handprints from members of groups such as BTS, EXO, Twice, Stray Kids and more. The avenue also has a LOTTE department stores', perfect for buying the latest memorabilia.