Fans heading to Seoul for BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG can explore wellness, Italian dining and modern Korean cuisine near Gwanghwamun
As fans from around the world head to Gwanghwamun for BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG on March 21, anticipation is building for the group’s first major live performance in more than three years. For many visitors, the trip to central Seoul will go beyond the concert itself. It will also be a chance to experience one of the city’s most iconic districts, where Seoul’s everyday lifestyle, dining and urban culture converge.
For fans looking to make the most of their time around Gwanghwamun, nearby CJ lifestyle and dining destinations offer an accessible and engaging way to explore another side of Seoul before or after the concert. From wellness and beauty experiences to Italian dining and contemporary Korean flavors, these nearby CJ spaces can serve as ideal stops for visitors hoping to explore Korean lifestyle and food culture beyond the performance itself.
Here are three CJ destinations worth exploring around Gwanghwamun.
Olive Better Gwanghwamun: A New Wellness Space in the Heart of the City
Olive Young is already a must-visit for many travelers exploring Seoul, and Olive Better Gwanghwamun expands that experience into the broader world of everyday wellness.
Built around the idea that better habits begin with small, everyday choices, Olive Better expands Olive Young’s long-established health and beauty expertise into a broader wellness experience. The Gwanghwamun store invites visitors to explore products and content across nutrition, fitness, beauty, relaxation and self-care, offering a new way to engage with wellness in daily life.
Rather than functioning as a conventional retail store, the space is designed as a curated lifestyle destination. For concertgoers spending time in central Seoul, its recent opening adds to the area’s appeal, making it a timely stop for those looking to experience one of CJ’s newest lifestyle spaces while visiting Gwanghwamun.
After visiting Olive Better Gwanghwamun, another unique option is to continue on to Olive Young Anguk Branch, whose traditional concept offers a distinctive experience near Bukchon and the nearby palaces.
- Olive Better location: 17, Jong-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (D-Tower 1F)
- Olive Young Anguk location: 1, Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
OLIPEPE: Italian Bistro with a Special Touch
For those planning a meal near the concert venue, OLIPEPE offers a lively dining experience inspired by the charm of an Italian street.
Created by CJ Foodville, the restaurant combines warm interiors with a menu built around popular Italian dishes, including pizza and pasta. With natural-toned décor, Italian-inspired touches and an open pizza oven, where visitors can watch pizzas being prepared, the space is designed to feel relaxed, inviting and vibrant — evoking the atmosphere of a casual Italian trattoria. A must-try menu item is the Oli Olieve Pizza, topped with three kinds of olives in a nod to the meaning behind the OLIPEPE name.
During the concert week from March 16 to 21, OLIPEPE is set to welcome visitors with a special promotion, offering Russian Jack Sauvignon Blanc as a limited-time menu item. With rich fruit notes and refreshing acidity, the white wine pairs especially well with the Calamari Limone pasta, which features a lemon butter base.
In the heart of bustling Gwanghwamun, OLIPEPE offers a welcoming setting for relaxed conversation and a leisurely meal, making it an especially appealing dining destination in the neighborhood.
- OLIPEPE location: 2F, 11 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Mugyojuga Cheiljemyunso: Modern Korean Dining Near Gwanghwamun
Visitors who want to explore Korean flavors in a contemporary setting may want to stop by Mugyojuga Cheiljemyunso, another distinctive dining space from CJ Foodville.
As the concept store of Cheiljemyunso, the venue reinterprets Korean dining culture with a more refined, modern sensibility. During the day, visitors can enjoy casual meals such as kalguksu (Korean noodle soup), while in the evening the restaurant shifts into a more lively dining atmosphere centered on a wider range of dishes and drinks.
Its appeal lies not only in the menu but also in the overall setting. Combining traditional Korean design elements with a polished modern interior, the restaurant delivers an experience that feels both local and contemporary. From Korean favorites such as tteokbokki and dakgangjeong (Soy Glazed Fried Chicken) to the restaurant’s own signature dishes, visitors can have a chance to experience a variety of Korean flavors in one place.
For fans spending time around Gwanghwamun, it can also be a place to explore Korean seasonal tastes and drinking culture, from traditional Korean liquor to dishes made with spring ingredients. Seasonal offerings such as bomdong (spring cabbage) bibimbap add another local touch to the experience.
- Mugyojuga Cheiljemyunso location: 28 Mugyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Whether fans are looking for a place to browse, recharge, or sit down for a meal, Gwanghwamun offers more than just a concert-day destination. With wellness, Italian dining and modern Korean cuisine all within reach, these three CJ spots offer different ways to experience the neighborhood — and a broader taste of Seoul — before or after the concert.
