K-Pop Meets GS25: New Travel Guide Unlocks Korea’s Convenience Store Culture
What happens when your favorite K-pop idols become your tour guides—and convenience store hackers? You get the ‘YAHO X GS25’ K-Store Guidebook, a pocket-sized map to Korean convenience heaven, curated by K-pop stars and crafted for travelers.
The Coolest Collab in K-Tourism Just Dropped
Welcome to your new essential travel buddy. The YAHO X GS25 guidebook is a brilliant blend of language learning, snack hacks, and Seoul secrets—created by music startup Space Oddity and Korean convenience store giant GS25. The guide aims to make the quirky, chaotic wonderland of Korean convenience stores (lovingly called pyeon-uijeom) accessible and thrilling for tourists.
Think: top K-snack recommendations, artist-approved lunch box combos, and a how-to on working GS25’s infamous 1+1 and 2+1 deals. All delivered with flair by rising K-pop girl groups.
Meet Your Celebrity Travel Coaches: LYSAINE & COSMOSY
The English version of the guide is led by rookie girl group LYSAINE, while the Japanese version is handled by COSMOSY, a girl group featuring Japanese members. Both groups star in short-form digital content tied to the guide—think TikTok-meets-TripAdvisor, with a sprinkle of K-pop charm.
In their snack-stagram moments:
- LYSAINE’s Wonnie spotlights GS25’s bento boxes and viral drink combos.
- May dives into coupon culture and limited-time bundle deals.
- Minami shows off the microwave tricks to heat up triangle kimbap, cup ramyeon, and lunch boxes.
COSMOSY turns sightseeing into storytelling:
- Dihana raves about the legendary ‘Hangang ramyeon’ culture—an al fresco feast by the Han River, complete with cheese or eggs.
- Aymei plugs GS25’s newest electrolyte drink, perfect for on-the-go travelers worried about hydration (and hangovers).
Snack Your Way Through Seoul—For Free
The best part? The guidebook is completely free and available at 25 GS25 locations in tourist hotspots like Incheon Airport, Myeong-dong, Seongsu, and Jeju from September 1 through 30. It’s part of a larger effort to make Korea’s convenience store scene as iconic as its temples and K-dramas.
Thanks to the artist collabs, the guide doesn’t just stop at food tips. It also introduces useful Korean words and phrases, pronunciation lessons, and cultural cues—making you feel less like a lost tourist and more like a K-culture insider.
YAHO Gamebooks—The K-Learning Trend Worth Collecting
YAHO first launched in September last year as a Korean learning gamebook series that pairs language lessons with Hallyu content. Each edition is fronted by a different K-pop act—past hosts include KARD, YOUNG POSSE, 82MAJOR, and now LYSAINE and COSMOSY.
Distributed all over the globe—from K-pop stores in New York and London to photo booths in Seoul and Korean eateries in Tokyo—YAHO serves as both a study tool and a fan collectible.
The Mission: Turn Tourists Into K-Culture Converts
Why convenience stores? According to Space Oddity CEO Kim Hong-gi, they’re among the top curiosities for K-pop fans visiting Korea. “We launched this guide to offer fans an unforgettable, local-first experience,” he explains.
GS25, run by GS Retail, sees this as a chance to spotlight emerging K-artists while leveling up Korea’s tourism toolkit. It’s not just about snacks and ramen—it’s about making pop culture tangible in every aisle.
FAQs
What is the ‘YAHO X GS25’ guidebook?
It’s a free, bilingual travel companion that helps international travelers navigate Korean convenience stores through tips, K-pop artist recommendations, and cultural insights—available at select GS25 locations.
Where can I get the guidebook?
The guide is available at 25 locations including hotspots like Incheon Airport, Myeong-dong, Seongsu, and Jeju for the month of September.
Who are the K-pop groups involved?
Girl groups LYSAINE (English version) and COSMOSY (Japanese version) are hosting the guide and starring in accompanying content about food, culture, and language.
