BTS fans, this bus day hits different. You get real access to In The Soop filming spots tied to the Pyeongchang version, plus easy photo time at Phoenix Blue Canyon and Hyangho Beach. I especially like the included official merchandise set and the way the day stays organized with a professional English guide. One drawback: it’s a long 12–13 hour ride, and traffic can push the return past 9 p.m.
This isn’t a rushed “grab-and-go” day. The itinerary is built around comfortable roundtrip bus time, a couple of scenic breaks by the coast, and a bigger chunk of time at the filming location so you can actually look around, take photos, and follow the onsite rules without stress. If you want a group outing with music, quizzes, and other ARMY energy, this format really fits.
There’s also real value baked in: you don’t just pay for admission; you get transport, an English guide, snacks, and an event snack experience with instant cup noodle. Just remember lunch and dinner aren’t included, and you’ll want to plan your own meals around that long day.
In This Review
- Key highlights at a glance
- From Insadong to Gangwon: the 12–13 hour bus logistics that matter
- Phoenix Blue Canyon: a filming-location visit with real photo time
- Hyangho Beach and the BTS bus stop vibe: make the most of 1 hour
- The main event: visiting the In The Soop Pyeongchang filming location
- Merchandise, snacks, quizzes, and the guide factor
- Price and value: what $138.97 really buys you
- Your best preparation: small choices that prevent big stress
- Should you book the In The Soop full day tour?
- FAQ
- FAQ
- How long is the Full Day Tour In The Soop BTS Ver in PyeongChang?
- What time does the tour start and where do I meet?
- Where does the tour end?
- What stops are included in the itinerary?
- Is the admission ticket included for the In The Soop filming location?
- Is lunch or dinner included?
- What food or snacks are included?
- Do I receive official merchandise?
- How many people are on the tour?
- Is the tour dependent on weather and minimum group size?
Key highlights at a glance

- Phoenix Blue Canyon stop: filming location visit with a scheduled 1 hour 30 minutes and admission free
- Hyangho Beach bus stop photos: white sand beach + BTS bus stop vibe, with 1 hour to roam
- In The Soop filming location entry: entrance ticket included for the Pyeongchang version set
- Official IN THE SOOP merchandise: one set per person included with your tour
- Snack + instant noodle moment: included snack at rest areas plus a review event with instant cup noodle
- Small-ish groups: maximum 40 people keeps the day from feeling too chaotic
From Insadong to Gangwon: the 12–13 hour bus logistics that matter

This is a full-day excursion that starts in Seoul and reaches the filming area in Gangwon Province. Your meet-up is at AMID Hotel Seoul (38 Insadong 5-gil, Jongno District), with a start time of 7:20 a.m. Return is listed back at the same hotel around 8:30 p.m., and it can end after 9 p.m. depending on traffic.
What you’re paying for is time, comfort, and less hassle than DIY transport. A roundtrip bus tour means you don’t have to figure out schedules, transfers, or parking near filming sites. And because the group size is capped at 40, you’re usually not fighting a crowd for bus doors, bathroom breaks, or guide attention.
Your day is designed around the realities of a long drive. You’ll have at least one scheduled snack moment at rest areas (with choices like twist-potato or sottoek-sottoek) and an added instant noodle event. That helps, because lunch and dinner are not included. Pack snacks you like too, if you’re the type who needs a safety net between a morning start and an evening return.
Comfort-wise, guides keep the bus experience moving. In the recent tour group feedback, I saw comments about modern buses with handy charging access (like USB ports) and BTS music playing during the ride. Even if the bus setup varies by departure, the goal is the same: keep you comfortable while the scenery changes from Seoul city energy to the coast and filming-zone drives.
And one more practical note: the tour requires good weather and also needs a minimum group size (at least 7 people) to operate. If the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be contacted for an alternative or a full refund. If it’s canceled due to weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Seoul
Phoenix Blue Canyon: a filming-location visit with real photo time

Stop 1 is Phoenix Blue Canyon, and the itinerary gives you 1 hour 30 minutes on-site. The good news is the admission ticket for this stop is listed as free, so you’re not dealing with extra payment or last-minute ticket lines once you arrive.
This stop is important because it’s not just a photo spot name on a map. It’s presented as a real filming location from the In the SOOP BTS ver. world, tied to the Pyeongchang filming concept. In practice, that means you’re looking for angles—walkable viewpoints, “this feels like the scene” framing—and you get enough time to do more than one quick lap.
A smart way to use the full 90 minutes is to treat it like two rounds. First round: take wide shots and find your angles for people photos. Second round: slow down and shoot details, like doorways, signage, or the exact background you want behind you. When your time is limited, it’s easy to spend it all on selfies. This stop is better when you start with one serious “memory photo” first.
If you’re traveling with someone who isn’t as into the BTS connection, this stop still works because it’s a nature-ish setting with a vacation feeling. But if you care most about “exact set replication,” you’ll be happiest when you follow the guide’s directions and move promptly to the recommended areas.
Hyangho Beach and the BTS bus stop vibe: make the most of 1 hour
Stop 2 is Hyangho Beach, with 1 hour scheduled. Admission is listed as free, and the reason people get excited here is simple: the bus stop appeared as an album cover image for BTS’s second full album. On top of that, there are multiple photo zones around the beach, so you’re not stuck searching for a single perfect spot.
The beach part matters because you can walk, sit, and shoot in natural light. The description calls out pristine white sandy beach views of the sea. If you’ve ever had beach photos turn out flat, you know why this matters: coastal light can look softer than city light, and the background gives your photos depth.
One-hour schedules are always tight, so set yourself up early. When you arrive, quickly scan where the bus stop viewpoint is and choose your main photo spot first. Then use the rest of the hour for variety: a couple of beach-background shots, then one or two wider frames with the shore.
Footwear is the hidden variable here. Sand and uneven beach ground can slow you down. Wear shoes that handle walking comfortably, especially if you plan to move between photo points.
Also, plan for the fact that you’re on a tight connection between stops. The tour keeps your day structured, so don’t treat Hyangho Beach like a free afternoon. Treat it like the best kind of break: enough time to create memories, not enough time to forget you’re on a schedule.
The main event: visiting the In The Soop Pyeongchang filming location

The heart of the tour is the In The Soop BTS ver. Pyeongchang filming location, and the entrance ticket is included. This is the part that turns a normal South Korea day trip into something more specific: you’re stepping into the world of the show’s holiday setting as presented through this filming version.
Your timing at the house isn’t listed in the itinerary section you were given, but the tour format is clearly built around giving you enough time to look around and take photos without panic. The vibe inside these filming locations is typically “follow instructions, then enjoy at your own pace.” So I recommend you start by listening closely to the guide’s on-site rules, because those rules control where you can walk and what you can photograph.
Look for small “you’re actually here” details. On-site feedback has highlighted thoughtful touches—like messages left for ARMY—plus a peaceful, slow holiday feel that makes you want to pause and look longer than you expected. If you’re the type who enjoys atmosphere, this is where the tour delivers beyond just check-the-box sightseeing.
There’s also often a warm human-and-animal moment at the property. Some group feedback mentions a friendly dog greeting visitors on arrival. You can’t count on every interaction, but it’s a good sign of the property’s relaxed, welcome-style atmosphere. Either way, keep your focus on respecting the space and following staff guidance.
Most importantly, don’t underestimate how much energy it takes to be “camera-ready.” For these set visits, it helps to decide what you want in your final photo set: one wide shot, a few detail shots, and at least one you can frame with the background you like. That prevents the classic problem where you spend 10 minutes posing and then realize you never got the shot you actually wanted.
Merchandise, snacks, quizzes, and the guide factor
This tour includes more than transport and tickets. You get an official IN THE SOOP merchandise set presented for one per person. You also get snacks at rest areas (twist-potato or sottoek-sottoek options) plus a review event with instant cup noodle.
If you’re budgeting, this is part of the value equation people often miss. Many BTS-themed tours charge for “the experience” but deliver fewer practical inclusions. Here, you’re getting tangible extras that help the day feel like a full package, not just an expensive ride to a gate.
The guide also shapes the day. Recent feedback highlights guides who keep things light while also making sure the schedule works. Names that show up include Sarah, Cherry, Anna, Jaden, Jade, and Mason. Common strengths across those experiences: clear instructions, attention to pacing, and BTS-themed quiz games with prizes.
Even if you aren’t an ultra-quiz person, the point of those activities is to break up the long bus hours and make the day feel shared. That matters on a 7:20 a.m. departure, because the bus ride is long enough that mood can change quickly.
If you do enjoy group games, bring a fun attitude. These tours are built for friendly competition and getting to know other fans from different countries. The instant noodle moment also gives a mini “reset” before you head back into sightseeing.
One practical thing: because lunch and dinner aren’t included, don’t rely on snacks alone to hold you through the day. If you’re sensitive to hunger, bring something small you can eat between official stops (and keep it easy to transport).
Price and value: what $138.97 really buys you

At $138.97 per person, this tour sits in the “you’re paying for convenience plus specific access” category. The included items that justify that price are the ones that reduce your day-to-day hassle:
- roundtrip transportation from Seoul
- professional English guide
- entrance ticket to the In The Soop BTS ver. Pyeongchang filming location
- Phoenix Blue Canyon stop admission listed as free
- Hyangho Beach stop admission listed as free
- an official merchandise set (one per person)
- included snack at rest areas and an instant cup noodle event
If you tried to do this yourself, the time cost would be your biggest enemy. Even if you can figure out transportation, you still lose the value of a guided plan, fixed time slots, and a full schedule that keeps you from wasting half a day.
Where the cost doesn’t help: meals. Since lunch and dinner are not included, you’ll still need to spend your own money on food. Plan for that, so the final cost doesn’t surprise you.
Also consider who this is for. If you’re a big fan of In The Soop or you want a guided, BTS-focused outing, the price starts to feel easier to justify. If you’re only mildly interested, you may find the day’s long drive harder to swallow.
Your best preparation: small choices that prevent big stress

This is the kind of day trip where preparation pays off fast.
First, dress for changing environments. You’re going from Seoul bus time to a beach stop. Even if the day is bright, the wind and sand can feel cooler than you expect. Bring layers you can handle without turning your bag into a mess.
Second, bring a phone charging plan. If your bus has USB ports, you’ll be glad. If it doesn’t, you’ll still want a portable charger so your camera and maps stay alive during long drives and photo breaks.
Third, protect your photo time. Hyangho Beach has photo zones and the bus stop moment is the headline, but you still only get 1 hour. Don’t spend that hour texting or wandering without a plan. Decide on your “must take” shots before you step off the bus.
Fourth, be ready for rain contingency. The tour requires good weather, so if weather changes, your schedule could shift. That’s not something you control. What you can control is packing practical gear and keeping your expectations flexible.
Fifth, arrive at the meeting point early. Your start is 7:20 a.m., and you’re meeting at a specific Seoul hotel. Getting there early reduces the chance you end up running around Insadong for the right pickup group.
Finally, follow the guide at the house. Filming locations can have strict boundaries, and your time is valuable. The people who leave happiest are usually the ones who listen first, then enjoy.
Should you book the In The Soop full day tour?

Book it if you want a guided, BTS-themed day that handles the hard parts for you: transport, filming-site entry, time management, and extras like official merchandise. The mix of Phoenix Blue Canyon, Hyangho Beach, and the In The Soop Pyeongchang filming location turns a long drive into a coherent story arc.
Skip it or think twice if you hate long days on buses, dislike group schedules, or aren’t excited by merch-and-music tour pacing. Also note that it’s weather-dependent and depends on a minimum group size to operate.
My rule of thumb: if you’re the type who wants the real set experience and you’re happy to trade sleep and downtime for a full “BTS holiday day,” this tour makes sense. If you’re more into slow independent exploring, you might prefer a lighter plan where you control the pace.
FAQ
FAQ
How long is the Full Day Tour In The Soop BTS Ver in PyeongChang?
The tour runs about 12 to 13 hours.
What time does the tour start and where do I meet?
You meet at AMID Hotel Seoul (38 Insadong 5-gil, Jongno District) at 7:20 a.m..
Where does the tour end?
The tour ends back at the same AMID Hotel Seoul meeting point. The listed return time is around 8:30 p.m. (20:30), but it may end after 9 p.m. due to traffic.
What stops are included in the itinerary?
The itinerary includes Phoenix Blue Canyon and Hyangho Beach. The day also includes entrance to the In The Soop BTS ver. Pyeongchang filming location.
Is the admission ticket included for the In The Soop filming location?
Yes. The entrance ticket for the In The Soop BTS ver. Pyeongchang filming location is included.
Is lunch or dinner included?
No. Lunch and dinner are not included.
What food or snacks are included?
You get one snack at rest areas (twist-potato or sottoek-sottoek) and there is a review event with instant cup noodle.
Do I receive official merchandise?
Yes. You receive an IN THE SOOP Official Merchandise set presented for one per person.
How many people are on the tour?
The maximum group size is 40 travelers.
Is the tour dependent on weather and minimum group size?
Yes. It requires good weather, and it also requires a minimum of 7 people to operate. If the minimum isn’t met or weather cancels it, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.



























