I spent almost twenty minutes waiting for a clear shot at one popular statue near the SMTOWN end, only to find nearly identical statues just a few blocks away completely empty. If I'd known the layout beforehand, I could have started from the quiet end and worked my way toward the busier one.
How Many Statues and Where
K-Star Road features roughly 17-20 GangnamDoll statues spread across about 1km, each one shaped like a giant bear figure decorated in the style of a different K-pop artist or group. The statues aren't randomly placed; they follow the sidewalk in a rough line from near Apgujeong Rodeo Station down toward the SMTOWN COEX Artium building, making the whole street walkable in a single continuous stretch.
Each statue includes a small plaque identifying the artist it represents, which is worth reading if you're not familiar with every group, since some designs are more abstract than others. The statues are updated periodically, so the exact lineup can shift slightly between visits.
Crowd Levels by Section
| Section | Crowd Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Near Apgujeong Rodeo Station | Low | Quick, unhurried photos |
| Mid-street stretch | Medium | Balanced pace |
| Near SMTOWM Artium | High | Popular statues, expect waiting |
Photo Rules and Etiquette
Standing beside or crouching next to the statues for photos is completely fine and expected, but climbing on top of them is prohibited and marked with posted signage in both Korean and English. If a statue has a small line forming, it's common courtesy to keep your photo session to under a minute before stepping aside. Tripods are generally tolerated for solo shots as long as they don't block the sidewalk during busier hours.
Step-by-Step Photo Route
Step 1: Start at the Apgujeong Rodeo Station end where crowds are lightest, and take your time with the first few statues. Step 2: Move through the mid-street stretch at a steady pace, checking plaques for artists you recognize. Step 3: Save the busiest statues near SMTOWN Artium for last, when your patience for waiting is still intact. Step 4: Finish at SMTOWN Artium itself, which makes a natural endpoint before heading back to the subway.
Final Tips and FAQ
Q. Do the statues change over time?
Yes, the lineup is updated periodically to reflect current popular groups, so don't be surprised if a specific statue isn't there on your visit.
Q. Is there a fee to photograph the statues?
No, the entire street and all statues are free to view and photograph at any time of day.
Starting from the quiet end and working toward the busy end saves the most time overall. In the next post, we'll cover whether the SMTOWN COEX Artium ticket is actually worth the price and what's inside.
This content is for informational purposes only. Statue lineup and locations may change without prior notice.
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