“No more reason to visit Korea”– ARMYs express disappointment as BTS Spring Day MV location faces demolition

On November 1, 2024, a fan shared on X about their attempt to visit a location where BTS filmed their song Spring Day. Iryeong Station in Yangju City, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, is one of the locations where BTS filmed part of the iconic 2017 song. To the fan's surprise, they found demolition machinery at the site, seemingly suggesting that the station might soon be completely torn down.

Spring Day, released on BTS’s 2017 album You Never Walk Alone, quickly became one of the group’s most beloved songs. The music video made Iryeong Station a special spot for ARMYs, BTS's fandom, who have since traveled there to experience it in person. This closed station, shut since 2004, became a tourist destination for fans after the video’s release. Now, however, it appears the site may be permanently dismantled.

As news of the possible demolition spread, many fans expressed their sadness online. One fan on X tweeted:

"I guess i have no more reason to visit korea then quq they’re taking down the bts places i wanted to visit quq"

Several other fans echoed similar sentiments on the social media platform.

"THEY DESTROYED MY HEART WITH THAT WDYM IT'S GONEEEEEE," commented one ARMY.

"with all these memories being removed there's no reason to visit South Korea anymore," shared a X user.

ARMYs shared their experiences of visiting the location of Spring Day and expressed their sadness over its removal.

"I remembered the date I went here; it was the beginning of 2023, January 1st. Happy that I could fullfil my wishlist before it's gone forever 🥹🥹🥹m", shared this ARMY.

"Iryeong Station, you will be missed. 😭😭😭 I'm just glad I was able to go there twice. 🥺," said another fan.

Several ARMYs felt disappointed they may not get a chance to visit. Many wondered why the station was not preserved as a tourist attraction.

"I wonder if their tourism ministry or whatever organization they have doesn't take it into account the famous spots? Specially when you have members of the BTS as visit seoul ambassadors sp," questioned this ARMY.

"IT'S GONE WT*??? THEY CANT DO THIS TO ME I SRILL HAVENT GONE TO KOREA YET WT*??" shared a netizen.

"I know a lot of I-armys visiting SK and having this place as one of their itinerary. Should have been memorialized as on of their attractions for tourism purposes 🤦‍♀️" said one more fan.

"I am so distressed that all the BTS-related destinations are disappearing. If they had been smarter, they would have made them tourist spots by keeping the locations and investing in them," remarked another user.

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BTS's Spring Day: The longest-charting song on Melon Chart

BTS’s 2017 iconic hit Spring Day is an exploration of love, loss, and yearning for the past. The song addresses universal themes of nostalgia and hope. Its lyrics reflect the pain of separation and the desire to reunite with loved ones, making it relatable to many listeners.

The theme of loneliness is evident from the start of the music video, featuring wide shots of BTS' V standing alone in a snowy train station. The emptiness of the station symbolizes feelings of loneliness and longing, setting the emotional tone for the song before it starts.

BTS member V appeared at the snowy station in the opening scene of Spring Day (Image via YouTube/@HYBELABELS)

The visuals are complemented by seasonal imagery in the lyrics. They explore the theme of longing, depicting friends who have grown apart. The narrator compares their situation to winter, expressing a desire for renewal with the arrival of spring. The imagery of snow reflects the narrator’s feelings, including a longing to reconnect with the other person.

Ultimately, the song conveys hope, reassuring listeners that good times will return as nothing lasts forever, just like changing seasons. This metaphor illustrates the passage of time and the healing power of cherished memories.

While BTS has not confirmed the connection, many fans interpret Spring Day as a tribute to the tragic sinking of the Sewol ferry in April 2014, a disaster that occurred three years before the song's release.

In the music video, imagery of water, yellow ribbons, and a mountain of abandoned clothes and shoes serves as a somber reminder of this event. Tragically, 304 passengers, primarily high school students on a field trip, drowned after being ordered to stay in their cabins until it was too late. Only 172 passengers survived.

Musically, Spring Day fuses soft rock and pop elements, resulting in rich emotional depth that amplifies its message. The arrangement features gentle instrumentals that support the heartfelt vocal performances. This blend of melodies and rap highlights BTS's skill in conveying complex emotions through relatable pop music.

Since its release, Spring Day has achieved significant milestones. In 2024, it became the most successful song in MelOn's history, amassing over 8.4 million unique listeners. The track remained on the charts for seven years, setting the record for the longest-charting song on the Melon Chart by both a K-pop group and a Korean artist.

Written by RM, Suga, and Bang Si-hyuk, this track previously won Song of the Year at the 2017 MelOn Music Awards and Best Music Video at the 2017 MAMAs. It also secured four music show trophies during BTS's promotional activities in South Korea. On February 18, 2024, Rolling Stone recognized Spring Day as one of the greatest songs in the history of K-pop music.