if you’re an IVE or MONSTA X fan visiting Seoul, your starting point is Gangnam (Cheongdam), home of their agency, Starship Entertainment. I’ll be honest, though. You can only see the building from the outside, and there aren’t many spots made specifically for these two groups. So this guide uses the Starship building as a starting point and links it to the best K-pop stops in Gangnam to make one full day.
Why Gangnam?
Gangnam used to be where K-pop agencies clustered. SM moved to Seongsu in 2021, and JYP has also left the area.
The official Gangnam-gu tourism site (Visit Gangnam) lists Starship, FNC, P Nation and Fantagio as the agencies still based in Gangnam. Starship is the home of both IVE and MONSTA X.
That means fans of either group can see the same building on the same route. It’s also why this is one guide instead of two.
The Starship Building: Exterior Only, So Keep It Quiet
- Address: 4-5 Samseong-ro 146-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
- Getting there: Cheongdam Station, Line 7 (per the official tourism site)
The building is known as the “MW Building,” and it sits deep in a narrow alley, so you can’t see it from the main road. The official tourism page also describes it from an architectural angle.
According to that description, terraces on each floor break up the building’s mass and ease the feeling of a cramped lot. A gap runs from the basement to the top along the back-alley wall for light and ventilation, and shadows from the lower panels handle privacy with neighboring buildings.
The key point is that there is no interior access and no tour. The site’s K-pop guide describes agency buildings as “working offices, not tourist attractions.” It asks visitors to look from the outside only and keep noise down, because the building sits among homes and shops.
Starship’s individual listing also mentions experience programs and English guidance. That doesn’t match the K-pop guide page on the same site, and it reads like boilerplate used for many locations. If you expect to do something inside, you’ll be disappointed. Treat this as a quick stop: a few photos, then move on quietly.
Where Are IVE and MONSTA X Right Now? (As of October 19, 2026)
IVE is heading into a new mini album, “Looks Can Kill.” The title track is released in advance on October 19, and the album follows on October 26. It’s a “girl hero” concept spin-off project, and hero teaser videos set around Seoul got attention first.
Their second world tour, “SHOW WHAT I AM,” started at KSPO Dome in Seoul in October 2025. All announced dates ended with the Taipei shows in September 2026. I couldn’t find any new tour dates as of this writing.
MONSTA X is active as a five-member group (Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon and Joohoney) after I.M enlisted in February 2026. They released their 14th EP, “The Phase,” in September.
Their world tour, “THE X : NEXUS,” began with three nights at KSPO Dome in Seoul. The 10-city North American leg ends in Seattle on October 24.
Both groups are busy, so check their official social accounts for pop-ups or events before you travel.
Ktown4u COEX: Albums and Merch in One Place
If you want to see albums and merch in Gangnam, Ktown4u at COEX Artium is the easiest choice. The official tourism site calls it “the largest K-pop complex culture space in Korea.”
- 2F: Permanent store. K-pop albums, stationery and artist merch (10:00–20:00)
- 3F: K-pop academy (12:00–22:00)
- 4F: Comeback pop-up stores and a cafe (11:00–20:00)
- Address: 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, COEX Artium
- Getting there: Samseong Station (Line 2) or Bongeunsa Station (Line 9)
Plan on 1–2 hours. The official page shows conflicting hours for the 4th floor (11:00–20:00 in the floor guide, “24 hours” in the intro text), so double-check before you go.
The official description also says idols are “sometimes spotted.” That isn’t guaranteed, so keep expectations low. Whether a particular group is in stock also depends on when you visit.
COEX K-Pop Square: A Free Giant Screen
COEX is home to K-Pop Square, known for its huge curved LED screen. Idol birthday ads and comeback announcements play all day, so what you see changes every visit.
The square is free and open 24 hours, and the screen looks best after dark. Take Exit 6 of Samseong Station (Line 2).
Around a comeback, you might catch an IVE or MONSTA X ad. What plays changes from time to time, so count it as a bonus if you see one.
K-Star Road: What to Know Before You Go
The roughly 1 km “K-Star Road,” from Apgujeong Rodeo Station to Cheongdam intersection, has 17 bear-shaped art toys called “GangnamDols.” Each K-pop group, such as BTS, EXO and Girls’ Generation, gets one.
However, neither IVE nor MONSTA X appears on the official list of these 17 groups. If you’re hoping for a photo with your group’s bear, you may walk away empty-handed. Treat it as a light stroll.
GangnamDols are sometimes moved, so look for them as you walk instead of relying on fixed spots. Take Exit 2 of Apgujeong Rodeo Station (Suin-Bundang Line).
Try a K-pop Class Yourself
Gangnam has several classes aimed at visitors. The official tourism site features three.
- MUDOCTOR Academy Gangnam: One-week short camps and one-day classes for overseas visitors, plus daily tours (Mon–Sat 13:00–22:00, closed Sundays)
- Dance Joa Gangnam: A dance academy open since 2005, with level-based and beginner classes (Mon–Thu 11:00–21:00, Fri 11:00–18:00, weekends 12:00–16:00)
- King Studio Seolleung: A recording experience with a producer, with English, Chinese and Japanese interpretation available (daily 10:00–22:00)
Many of these require advance booking. Check schedules and reservation methods before your visit.
Fan-Run Birthday Cafes Are Worth Watching For
Gangnam often hosts “birthday cafes,” where fandoms rent a cafe and decorate it for an idol’s birthday. Anyone can go in, but the cafe is run by fans, not by the agency.
They’re usually announced on fandom social accounts one to two weeks ahead and disappear after a set period. Whether one is running during your trip is something to check on the official fan accounts.
Since it depends on timing, think of it as “stop by if there is one,” not a fixed part of your plan.
Photocards: Head to Hongdae or Myeongdong
For photocards, the go-to spots are POCA SPOT in Hongdae and Myeongdong, not Gangnam. According to Trazy and KKday listings, IVE is among the groups carried.
MONSTA X wasn’t on the listed groups. I couldn’t confirm whether the kiosks have their cards, so if you’re looking for MONSTA X cards, search on site.
- Hongdae: 48-14 Wausan-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu (3F 11:00–21:00, 2F 13:00–21:00)
- Myeongdong: 33 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu (10:30–22:30)
Both are a trip from Gangnam, so I’d suggest splitting this into a separate day.
One Gangnam K-pop Day: Costs and Transit
The official tourism site says that if you stick to landmarks, “it costs almost nothing.” K-Star Road is a public street, and COEX K-Pop Square is free.
Money mostly goes to classes, recording experiences and meals. Your total depends heavily on how much you spend on albums and merch.
The subway makes this easy. Starship is near Cheongdam Station (Line 7), COEX is near Samseong (Line 2) or Bongeunsa (Line 9), and K-Star Road is near Apgujeong Rodeo Station (Suin-Bundang Line). Some legs may need a transfer, so check the route in a map app before you leave.
A One-Day Itinerary (Gangnam Edition)
- Morning: See the Starship building’s exterior from Cheongdam Station (quietly, a few photos)
- Lunch: Eat around Cheongdam
- Afternoon: Head to Samseong for Ktown4u COEX (1–2 hours) and K-Pop Square
- Evening: A K-pop class (reservation required) or a walk along K-Star Road near Apgujeong Rodeo
The building visit is short, so the afternoon at COEX is the center of the day. If you add a class, adjust the rest around its booking time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I go inside the Starship building? No. The official tourism site describes agency buildings as working offices with no tours or lobby. You can only see the exterior.
Q. Are IVE or MONSTA X among the GangnamDols? They aren’t on the official list of 17 groups. GangnamDols can also be moved, so treat it as a rough guide.
Q. Where can I buy IVE and MONSTA X photocards? IVE is among the groups carried at the Hongdae and Myeongdong POCA SPOT stores. MONSTA X isn’t on the listed groups, so check on site.
Q. Can I see either group in concert right now? IVE’s announced world tour dates ended with Taipei in September, and MONSTA X’s North American leg ends in Seattle on October 24. I couldn’t find dates after those as of this writing, so check official channels.
Q. Can I meet an idol? Ktown4u’s description says idols are “sometimes spotted,” but a meeting isn’t guaranteed at the building or the store. I wouldn’t plan your trip around it.
Quick Checklist
- Starship’s building (IVE and MONSTA X) is in Cheongdam, Gangnam, and exterior only (Cheongdam Station, Line 7)
- Agencies still in Gangnam: Starship, FNC, P Nation and Fantagio
- Ktown4u COEX for albums, merch and pop-ups (Samseong or Bongeunsa Station)
- COEX K-Pop Square is free, open 24 hours and best after dark
- Neither IVE nor MONSTA X is among the 17 GangnamDols
- Book K-pop classes ahead, and check fandom accounts for birthday cafes
- Photocards are in Hongdae and Myeongdong, and MONSTA X cards need an on-site check
There’s no flashy attraction made just for these two groups, but a route that starts at the Starship exterior and runs to COEX still fills a day nicely. With a new IVE album and MONSTA X’s tour news coming in, pop-ups and events can change right before your visit.
I’ll update this guide as new information comes in. Once your Seoul dates are set, bookmark it and check back before you leave for the latest details.
