ARMY in Busan
๐ ARMY in Busan: "They're Coming Home" — The Ultimate 2026 BTS Concert & Hometown Pilgrimage Guide
There is something inherently different about a concert in your own hometown.
You don't need to book frantic flights or stress over which exit to take from an unfamiliar subway station. You already know which local restaurants are truly worth the queue, and you know the secret shortcuts to the venue — you've got all of that covered. But knowing all of that doesn't make the electric excitement any less real.
This June, BTS is coming back to Busan. Two of the members grew up right here, so for them, it is a grand homecoming. The alleyways they walked, the traditional market stalls they ate at, the vast sea they grew up watching — that is all here in Busan.
If you are coming to Busan for the upcoming concert, you are not just visiting a music venue. You are visiting their city. Let a local show you around!
๐ค 1. The Concert: BTS World Tour in Busan
The monumental BTS World Tour comes to Busan on June 12 and 13, 2026, at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium in Yeonje-gu.
This marks their highly anticipated first world tour since all members completed their mandatory military service. All seven members are back together, performing on a spectacular 360-degree stage in support of their fifth studio album, ARIRANG. (If you haven't started streaming the title track “SWIM” yet, now is the absolute time!)
Ticket Information: Tickets are officially available through NOL World, ranging from ₩198,000 to ₩264,000 depending on your section.
The Ticket War: The ARMY Membership presale opens today, April 29, at 8 PM KST, with general ticketing following tomorrow, April 30, at 8 PM KST. If you manage to snag a ticket, consider yourself lottery-level lucky. Congratulations in advance!
Intercity Shuttles: For those staying in the capital, round-trip shuttle buses will run from Seoul (departing from Myeongdong and Hongdae stations) directly to the Busan venue. You can conveniently book these through travel platforms like KKday, Klook, and Trazy.
๐ฅ 2. Before the Concert: Explore Jimin's Busan First
Jimin grew up in Geumjeong-gu, located in the northern part of Busan. It is a quiet, authentic residential neighborhood that tourists rarely find their way to, which makes a visit here feel all the more sacred and special.
Seodong Miro Market (์๋๋ฏธ๋ก์์ฅ): While the elementary and middle schools Jimin attended have since closed down, the surrounding neighborhood remains beautifully unchanged. Nearby, this market is a labyrinth of narrow, warmly worn traditional alleys that Jimin used to visit as a child. Drop by to try some local street food!
Busan Arts High School: This is where Jimin brilliantly studied contemporary dance as a top student before his global debut. It is still an active school, so you cannot step inside the campus — but standing in front of the beautiful building knowing this is where it all started is more than enough to give you goosebumps.
Geumjeongsan National Park [Visit Busan Map #5]: If you have an extra day, explore this stunning mountain beloved by locals and recently designated as Korea's 24th National Park. It features ancient fortress walls, serene bamboo trails, and sweeping views of the city. (Check out my separate dedicated post on Geumjeongsan before you go!)
The "Live-Stream" Beaches: Want to visit the waterfronts where Jimin famously hosted his live streams? Head to Gwangalli Beach [Visit Busan Map #6] (accessible via Subway Line 2 with a quick transfer at Seomyeon) or the breathtaking sunset haven of Dadaepo Beach [Visit Busan Map #2] (a straight shot on Line 1 with no transfers).
Gwangalli Beach, Busan | Photo: Busan Tourism Organization (visitbusan.net)
Dadaepo Beach, Busan | Photo: Busan Tourism Organization (visitbusan.net)☕ The Legendary Family Cafe: ZM-illennial (Formerly Magnate)
Address: 135 Jinnam-ro, Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu (Near UN Memorial Cemetery [Visit Busan Map #19])
How to get there: Take Exit 4 from Motgol Station (Line 2) and walk smoothly for about 13 minutes.
Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 9:50 PM.
Originally known to global fans as Magnate, this spacious cafe run by Jimin's father has been recently renamed to ZM-illennial due to a trademark issue.
It intentionally does not look like a loud fan cafe. There is no purple overload or oversized photo zones. Instead, you'll find a massive, calm, industrial-chic space filled with dark wood, high ceilings, and beautiful artwork.
Yet, any true ARMY will instantly spot the heartwarming details: Jimin’s personal hat collection proudly displayed on a shelf, signed albums, artistic portraits, and a long table near the entrance overflowing with handwritten letters and delicate gifts left by global fans. The coffee is exceptional, and the carrot cake has a legendary reputation. If you are lucky, you might catch Jimin’s father behind the counter—fans worldwide know him to be incredibly warm, humble, and unpretentious. You can instantly see exactly where Jimin gets his beautiful personality from.
๐ Local Tip: Go before the official concert day (June 12) if you can. The queue on the concert weekend is going to be absolutely historic.
๐ฐ 3. Next Stop: Head to Jungkook's Busan
Jungkook spent his childhood in Mandeok-dong, Buk-gu — a peaceful, scenic neighborhood tucked against lush green mountains. To start your pilgrimage, take Exit 1 from Mandeok Station (Line 3) and walk slowly through the neighborhood.
Baekyang Elementary & Middle Schools: The schools where Jungkook studied are still actively running. Standing nearby, you can still hear the joyful laughter of kids in the playground. They don't seem particularly bothered that one of the most iconic, famous people in the world once ran around this exact same yard—which feels beautifully grounding. Walking past and imagining a young, bright-eyed Jungkook on his way to class is a lovely experience.
Mandeok Lego Village: A short walk away lies a quirky cluster of 54 detached houses built in 1986. Lined up perfectly side-by-side, their brightly colored rooftops look exactly like stacked Lego bricks from a distance. There are no tourist signs or commercial infrastructure here. Honestly, it is prettier from afar than up close, but that unfiltered, raw authenticity is exactly part of the charm.
Mandeok Duck Village & Seokbulsa Temple: Right nearby is a street lined with incredible, seasoned local duck BBQ restaurants — the absolute perfect Korean meal after a long day of walking. Afterward, take a short taxi ride up to Seokbulsa Temple (์๋ถ์ฌ). It is a breathtaking, quiet Buddhist temple carved straight into a 100-meter sheer rock face, offering sweeping, majestic views over Mandeok-dong. You'll get to look at the very mountains Jungkook grew up looking at, exactly the way he might have seen them.
๐ 4. Getting Around Busan Safely
Busan’s subway system is significantly simpler and less overwhelming than Seoul’s, making it incredibly easy for first-time international visitors to navigate.
Navigation Apps: Download Naver Maps or Kakao Maps before you arrive (Google Maps does not provide walking transit routes in Korea). A standard T-money card works perfectly on all Busan subways and buses.
Time Budgeting: If you are planning to visit Geumjeong-gu (Jimin's area), Mandeok (Jungkook's area), and Gamcheon Culture Village [Visit Busan Map #13] all in one single day, make sure to budget around an hour of travel time between each major region.
Note on Gamcheon: Gamcheon Culture Village is nestled high on a hillside and is not directly accessible by subway. Taking a local bus or a quick taxi from Togu Station is the best way to go.
Concert Day Internet Tip: On the massive concert days, cellular data signals near the Asiad Stadium may become highly unreliable due to the tens of thousands of gathered fans. Make sure to screenshot or download your mobile ticket in advance!
๐ A Final Note from a Busan Local
I live here. I get to see the stunning sea that Jimin and Jungkook so passionately sang about in their legendary track “Ma City” regularly, without even thinking about it.
Busan is wonderfully loud, incredibly warm, a little rough around the edges, and blissfully less chaotic than Seoul. That raw, passionate energy is exactly what makes it Busan, and that is exactly why I love it.
Two incredibly talented boys who grew up running around these very hillsides took everything that makes Busan Busan, and proudly carried it all the way to the absolute top of the world.
June 2026 is going to be a phenomenal month to be in Busan. Welcome home, ARMY. ๐๐พ
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