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For ARMY, no trip to Korea feels complete without a pilgrimage to Daegu, the hometown of Kim Tae-hyung, better known as BTS V. At the heart of this fan journey is the BTS V Mural Street, a 58-meter painted wall outside V's old elementary school that has grown from a Chinese fan club birthday project into a government-backed tourist landmark. It is purple, it is starry, and it is unmistakably for ARMY.
Where Is the BTS V Mural Street in Daegu?
The BTS V Mural Street runs along the outer wall of Daesung Elementary School in Bisan-dong, Seo-gu, in western Daegu. This is V's childhood alma mater, located within walking distance of Dalseong Park and Seomun Market. The closest subway stop is Seodae Station on Daegu Metro Line 3, which opened newer access points right next to the wall. A short taxi ride from Seomun Market drops you off at the school gate, where the purple panorama begins.
How the Mural Came to Be
The project started in December 2021 as a birthday gift from V's Chinese fan club, China Baidu VBar, who consulted with HYBE, the school, and the local government before painting. The original 33-meter wall went viral with ARMY worldwide, and in May 2022 the Seo-gu district office partnered with the fan club again to extend it to 58 meters. The local government officially recognized the mural as a Hallyu tourism resource, making it one of the few fan-organized installations to receive city support in Korea.
What You Will See at the V Mural Street
The wall is a mixed-media piece, with the top half painted directly and the bottom half built as a tile mosaic. The background blends V's signature purple with Van Gogh's Starry Night, his favorite painting. Along the length, the mural features 11 of V's solo and self-composed songs, including Christmas Tree and Sweet Night, plus the message "Taehyung, we purple you" translated into more than 20 languages. ARMY have added personalized tiles, signed messages, and seasonal flowers near a small autograph wall. On December 30, V's birthday, the mural is decorated with banners, cakes, and fan-made cards.
How to Get There from Seoul
The fastest way is the KTX high-speed train from Seoul Station to Dongdaegu Station, which takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. From Dongdaegu, transfer to Daegu Metro Line 1, switch to Line 3 at Myeongdeok, and ride to Seodae Station, then walk five minutes. Travelers in a hurry can taxi straight from Dongdaegu for around 15,000 won. If you are already in Busan, KTX brings you to Dongdaegu in under 50 minutes, making Daegu an easy day trip from anywhere on the Gyeongbu corridor.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and autumn are ideal because Daegu summers are famously hot. Weekday mornings stay quiet, perfect for photos without crowds. V's birthday on December 30 brings the biggest ARMY gatherings of the year, with global fans flying in, light-up events, and cafe collaborations. Visit then only if you are prepared for crowds and cold weather. Nighttime viewing is also recommended thanks to the landscape lights installed for the extension project.
Nearby BTS Pilgrimage Spots in Daegu
Make a full day of it. Dalseong Park, a few minutes from the mural, has the tree and benches where young V posed in 2015. Daegu Jeil High School, V's later school, is part of the planned 100-meter V-themed street. Across the city, Suseongmot Lake is a chill cafe and paddle boat spot near where V grew up, while Apsan Park's observatory gives a panoramic view of his hometown. SUGA fans should also stop by the Myeongdeok Station Suga Mural Street, just a few stops away on Line 3.
What to Pack for the Pilgrimage
Bring your ARMY Bomb light stick for the after-dark visit, a wearable BTS hoodie or merch piece for the photo wall, and a good camera or phone with portrait mode for the mosaic close-ups. A small bouquet of purple flowers or sunflowers is a sweet way to leave an offering at the autograph zone. Cash for nearby V-song themed cafes is helpful, as is a translation app for chatting with local ARMY you will inevitably meet.
Respectful Etiquette at the Mural
The mural sits beside an active elementary school in a residential neighborhood. Keep voices low during school hours, avoid blocking the school entrance, and do not climb the wall or stick anything on top of the existing tiles. Take your trash with you, including coffee cups from nearby cafes. Daegu residents have embraced the ARMY presence because fans have generally been respectful, and protecting that goodwill keeps the wall protected too.
Other K-pop Hometown Pilgrimage Spots in Korea
Daegu is only the start. Busan is the hometown of Jimin and Jungkook, with Citizen Park and Gwangalli Beach drawing daily ARMY visitors. Gwacheon and Ilsan host K-pop trainee landmarks for SM and YG fans, and Jeju has IU pilgrimage cafes. Hallyu hometown tourism has grown so much that the Korea Tourism Organization now lists official routes following idol footsteps across the peninsula.
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