TL;DR: HYBE Insight, the museum inside HYBE’s headquarters, has been permanently closed since January 2023 and hasn’t reopened or announced a new location — a lot of older blog posts still list it as a current attraction, so don’t build a trip around it. What is open: KWANGYA @ SMTOWN in Seongsu, a free-entry space with artist merchandise, photo zones, and an OLED-panel floor. JYP’s headquarters near Olympic Park is worth a look for the exterior (the giant red coffee cup sculpture) but doesn’t offer public interior access.
This is a case where an outdated blog post can genuinely waste part of your trip — HYBE Insight shows up on plenty of “must-visit K-pop spots” lists that simply haven’t been updated. Here’s what’s actually true as of 2026.
HYBE Insight: closed, don’t plan around it
HYBE Insight — the exhibition space inside HYBE’s Yongsan headquarters — closed permanently in January 2023. The space was converted into practice studios and production facilities for HYBE’s artists, and as of 2026 there’s been no announcement of a reopening or a new location. If you see it recommended somewhere, that source hasn’t been updated recently. There’s no ticket to buy and nothing to walk into at this point.
KWANGYA @ SMTOWN: the one that’s actually open
This is your best current option for an SM Entertainment fan experience. Located in Seongsu (B1F, near Seoul Forest Station — direct underground connection from Exit 4, or an 8-minute walk from Ttukseom Station Exit 8), KWANGYA is free to enter and open 10:30–20:00.
Inside, you’ll find artist merchandise displayed under glass, photo zones with backgrounds chosen by SM’s own artists, four-cut photo booths, and a floor built from 33 OLED panels for a genuinely striking visual setup. It’s less a museum and more an immersive brand space — closer to what HYBE Insight used to be than anything currently associated with HYBE itself.
JYP Entertainment: exterior only
JYP’s headquarters near Olympic Park is a recognizable Seoul landmark thanks to its giant red coffee cup sculpture out front, and it’s worth a photo stop if you’re a JYP fan passing through the area. Public interior access, including the cafe that used to be open to visitors, is now largely internal-only — treat this as an exterior/photo destination rather than a tour.
Building a realistic K-pop agency day
Given the current state of things, the most efficient version of this kind of day is:
– KWANGYA @ SMTOWN in Seongsu as your main stop — pair it with the rest of a Seongsu-dong visit since you’re already in the neighborhood.
– JYP’s building near Olympic Park as an optional add-on if you’re a fan and want the exterior photo, understanding there’s no interior tour.
– Skip planning around HYBE’s Yongsan headquarters entirely unless a specific pop-up exhibition (HYBE has run some exhibitions externally at other venues rather than at HQ) is confirmed running during your dates — check current HYBE announcements rather than assuming.
FAQ
Q: Is there any way to visit inside HYBE’s building?
A: Not for general tourism — the exhibition space is closed and the building now functions as working studios, not a visitor attraction.
Q: Does KWANGYA require a reservation?
A: Based on current information it’s free walk-in access, but check for any updated reservation requirements before your visit since policies can change.
Q: Are there YG Entertainment tour options?
A: Public tour information for YG’s headquarters is limited — treat any YG building visit as an exterior/photo stop rather than an interior tour unless you find current, confirmed information otherwise.
Q: Why do so many travel blogs still recommend HYBE Insight?
A: Because it closed in 2023 but was popular enough beforehand that a lot of older content never got updated — a good reminder to check publish dates on any K-pop travel advice you read.
Q: Is KWANGYA worth visiting if I’m not specifically an SM Entertainment fan?
A: It’s a nice visual stop even for casual K-pop interest, especially since it’s free and easy to combine with a Seongsu-dong visit.
Bottom Line
Skip HYBE’s headquarters — there’s genuinely nothing to visit there right now — and build your K-pop agency stop around KWANGYA @ SMTOWN in Seongsu instead, with an optional exterior photo at JYP’s building if you’re in the area.