GUNSAN, Aug. 2 (Korea Bizwire) – In the coastal city of Gunsan, larger-than-life faces of BTS members are transforming urban landscapes into vibrant canvases, drawing fans from across the globe.
The city is capitalizing on this artistic phenomenon with a new tourism initiative centered around these eye-catching murals.
From August 5 to September 8, Gunsan is hosting a photo tour and video contest featuring nine BTS murals scattered throughout the city.
The latest addition to this collection is a spectacular 5-meter high, 60-meter long mural adorning the retaining wall of Jigok Elementary School, showcasing all seven members of the K-pop supergroup.
The artist behind these striking portraits is Lee Jong-bae, who goes by the moniker STAZ. A local graffiti artist, Lee has been painting BTS members’ faces around Gunsan since 2021, collaborating with various businesses to use their exterior walls as his canvas.
“After completing this latest work, I received numerous messages of support from ARMY members worldwide,” Lee said, referring to BTS’s dedicated fan base. “The fact that BTS once filmed a music video in Gunsan seems to have added to the appeal of my work.”
Lee’s BTS project, which began as a gesture of support for the group’s role in promoting South Korea globally, has evolved into a must-visit attraction for traveling fans. The Jigok Elementary School mural marks his 15th BTS-themed creation in the city.
To participate in the photo tour, visitors must capture selfies at seven or more of the nine mural locations and share them on social media.
The city is offering incentives to boost local spending: the first 1,000 participants who post their photos along with a receipt showing a minimum spend of 10,000 won in Gunsan will receive a 10,000 won Gunsan Love gift certificate.
For more ambitious content creators, a “Reels” competition offers a total prize pool of 3.5 million won. Entrants must film themselves at all nine mural sites, with winners selected based on creativity, technical skill, and audience engagement.
“Given BTS’s unparalleled influence and massive fan base, we anticipate this contest will generate significant interest,” said Kim Moon-sook, head of Gunsan’s Tourism Promotion Division. “We hope visitors will create memorable experiences as they explore our city through the BTS mural tour.”
While the BTS project has become his calling card, Lee continues to work on other meaningful projects.
This photo of K-pop boy group BTS is captured from the group’s official Twitter account. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
He has created murals for the set of the popular drama “Itaewon Class” and painted portraits of Korean independence activists in both Gunsan and the United States to commemorate historical milestones.
“As graffiti artists, we use spray paint to create art on walls, floors, and alleys,” Lee explained. “I hope that passersby will pause for a moment to appreciate these works as they go about their day.”
Image credit: City of Gunsan, Artist Jong-bae Lee (Yonhap), BGF Retail (CU) / photonews@koreabizwire.com
