COEX K-Pop Square
COEX K-Pop Square is in the heart of Gangnam. It has Korea's largest curved LED screen. In Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters, this screen broadcasts Huntrix's debut single "Golden" to a crowd below.
The plaza has become a must-visit spot for fans. Many come here to recreate the film's viral music scenes.
The KPop Demon Hunters Connection
The huge COEX LED screen plays a key role in the film. It shows Huntrix rising to fame.
- "Golden" Debut: The billboard plays Huntrix's first single to the crowd. It mirrors real K-pop comeback events.
- 3D Wave Billboard: The famous optical wave effect appears when Huntrix's power surges.
- Fan Gathering: The plaza fills with fans watching the broadcast. It reflects real fan events held here.
What to See & Do
- K-Pop Square LED Screen: Watch K-pop music videos and visual art on the 80m-wide curved screen.
- Starfield Library: An Instagram-famous library inside COEX Mall with 50,000+ books.
- COEX Aquarium: One of Korea's largest aquariums with 40,000+ marine creatures.
- SM Town artium: K-pop merch and hologram concerts are right nearby.
- Bongeunsa Temple: A 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple sits right behind the modern complex.
Fan Photo Spots
- Center of the Plaza: Get the full LED screen in your shot. Best at dusk when the screen is brightest.
- Starfield Library Balcony: The tall bookshelves make a stunning backdrop.
- Night Reflections: The glass facade reflects the LED content after dark. Great for photos.
Nearby K-Pop Spots
COEX is in Gangnam, Seoul's K-pop hub. Combine your visit with these spots.
- K-Star Road: Just 2 subway stops away. Features bear statues for each K-pop group.
- Cheongdam-dong: Where many K-pop agencies and celebrity hangouts are located.
Practical Information
- Hours: Plaza open 24/7. COEX Mall open 10:30AMโ10:00PM.
- Admission: Free for the plaza and Starfield Library.
- Duration: 2โ3 hours with mall exploration.
- Nearest Station: Samseong Station (Line 2, Exit 5/6). Connected underground.
- Tip: Visit at sunset for the most dramatic LED screen photos.
Why This Place Feels Different at Night
The COEX LED screen is impressive during the day โ at 80 meters wide, it's hard to miss. But the screen's full effect only arrives after dark, when the surrounding plaza loses its ambient light and the content fills your entire field of view. KPop Demon Hunters understood this: the "Golden" broadcast scene is shot at night for a reason. Real fan events at this screen โ album release screenings, idol birthday celebrations โ happen almost exclusively in the evening hours.
If you can only visit once, arrive at the plaza 30 minutes before sunset and stay through the first hour of darkness. The transition is the best part.
Starfield Library: Beyond the Instagram Shot
The library inside COEX Mall has become one of Seoul's most photographed interiors. The bookshelves rise several stories, the lighting is warm, and the geometry photographs well from almost any angle. What's less commonly mentioned is that it's an actual functioning library โ you can browse and read. The seating areas at the base of the shelves are used by locals as a quiet workspace, and the contrast between the grand architecture above and the peaceful study atmosphere below is worth experiencing beyond the photo op.
SM Town artium
The SM Town artium is a short walk from COEX and worth a stop for any K-pop fan. The building houses a museum dedicated to SM Entertainment's artists, a merchandise shop, and a hologram theatre that runs regular performances. The hologram concerts โ featuring digital recreations of artists performing โ are an odd and genuinely memorable experience. Check the schedule and book tickets in advance as performances sell out.
Bongeunsa Temple
The 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple sits directly behind the COEX complex, separated from the modern glass buildings by a line of trees. The contrast is one of Seoul's most visually striking โ ancient stone lanterns and wooden temple halls visible against a backdrop of Gangnam towers. The temple grounds are free to enter and open early morning to evening. The large bronze Buddha statue at the temple's rear is 23 meters tall and visible from outside the walls. Early morning visits (before 8AM) are quietest and most atmospheric.
Making a Full Day in Gangnam
COEX and its surroundings fill a comfortable half-day. For a full day in Gangnam, start at Bongeunsa Temple in the morning, spend midday in the COEX complex including the aquarium or Starfield Library, then walk south toward Apgujeong in the afternoon โ the Rodeo Street area has the concentration of luxury boutiques and the cafes that attract the city's style-conscious crowd. Return to K-Pop Square for the evening LED screen experience before heading to dinner in the Gangnam Station area, which has a dense cluster of Korean BBQ, hot pot, and Japanese restaurants within two blocks of the exit.
