[Report] Visiting HYBE Insight, the Music Museum That Raised BTS

Large Screen Photo Zone at Entrance
Themed Exhibition of Sound, Choreography, and Images
Special Exhibitions with Artist Collaborations Planned

A large trophy wall exhibited at the music museum 'HYBE INSIGHT,' which HYBE opened on the 14th. (Photo by HYBE)

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] On a massive horizontal screen easily measuring 10 meters wide, choreography of the group BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) is being displayed. Suddenly, the screen changes to a 10-second countdown... 3, 2, 1, 0. The large screen abruptly splits vertically in half and folds backward. Beyond it lies a secret space.

Entering inside like exploring a cave, every surface from ceiling to walls and floor is a screen. Suddenly the lights go out and the entire screen fills with stars. For a moment, dizziness sets in as if transported to some space in the universe. When the lights come back on, both walls have transformed into an 8.5-meter-high large trophy wall extending from basement level 2 to level 1.

This is the exhibition hall themed ‘HYBE Music’ installed inside the music museum ‘HYBE INSIGHT’ opened by BTS’s agency HYBE on the 14th. HYBE INSIGHT is a cultural space where HYBE artists and fans meet through music. It is located in the basement levels 1 and 2 of HYBE’s headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, covering a total floor area of 4,701㎡.

Entrance of the music museum 'HYBE INSIGHT' opened by HYBE on the 14th. (Photo by HYBE)

Descending to the entrance floor, basement level 2 of HYBE INSIGHT, large photos of HYBE artists appear on a giant screen. This is a photo zone prepared for fans. Upon entering, visitors encounter a circular networking lounge. Here, visitors receive photo tickets and wait for their exhibition entry time, during which operating crew provide viewing guidance.

Opening the curtain and entering the ‘Portal’ reveals the main exhibition space. The first theme encountered is ‘Innovative Sound.’ HYBE has organized exhibits under the theme of ‘sound,’ the first element of music. Animation videos showing the music production process and photos of actual studio equipment are displayed. On a touch monitor, visitors can rotate 360 degrees with their fingers to explore the personal studios of BTS members RM, Suga, J-Hope, and two others.

Entering the second themed space, ‘Dynamic Movement,’ large screens installed throughout show choreography of BTS and other artists. This area is designed focusing on the second element of music, ‘dance.’ One wall displays choreography photos of HYBE singers taken using the ‘Chronophotography’ technique. Chronophotography is a scientific method capturing continuous movement in photographs.

A large screen displayed at the music museum 'HYBE INSIGHT,' which HYBE opened on the 14th. (Photo by HYBE)

The third themed exhibition, ‘Inspiring Story,’ displays lyric images and various objects related to HYBE artists. This space centers on the third element of music, ‘story.’ A HYBE official explained, “This area deals with a narrative encompassing sound and dance as one story. Visitors can savor music and lyrics organically connected to each artist’s unique story.”

Here, books such as ‘Maps of the Soul’?an introduction to the theories of Swiss psychologist Carl Gustav Jung (1875?1961)?‘Demian’ by German-Swiss author Hermann Hesse (1877?1962), and ‘The Art of Loving’ by German psychologist and philosopher Erich Fromm (1900?1980) are displayed with underlined passages. These books are known to have influenced BTS albums and were once bestsellers.

The music museum 'HYBE INSIGHT,' opened by HYBE on the 14th, is currently hosting an exhibition by world-renowned visual artist James Jean under the theme 'Comfort of Seven Boys.' (Photo by HYBE)

The basement level 1 is a space created through collaboration between HYBE INSIGHT and various art genres. The first special exhibition held to commemorate the opening was curated by world-renowned visual artist James Jean. Under the title ‘Comfort of Seven Boys,’ he exhibits works inspired by BTS.

In the exhibition hall, visitors can see both James Jean’s past works and new pieces simultaneously. The new work ‘Garden’ is a large piece measuring 3.6 meters in height and 1.52 meters in width, depicting BTS members as flower spirits. The artist’s signature dreamy color palette stands out. Additionally, wooden sculptures, sketches, and drawings highlighting BTS members’ characteristics are on display.

A HYBE official stated, “We plan to regularly collaborate with famous domestic and international artists to operate special exhibitions. Our goal is to lower the barriers to art and help visitors enjoy art more easily.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.