On March 31, 2026, BTS released the official live clip for "SWIM" โ and within hours, fans were already tracking down the filming location.
The answer: Swiss Grand Hotel Seoul, a well-known hotel in Seodaemun-gu, western Seoul. The entire live performance was filmed in the hotel's pool area, with all seven members performing poolside in what quickly became one of the most visually striking BTS performances of the ARIRANG era.
Swiss Grand Hotel Seoul isn't a flashy five-star luxury brand โ it's a solid, well-established hotel that's been a Seodaemun-gu landmark for years. It's the kind of place Korean families book for staycations and business travelers use for its convenience.
What makes it interesting for international visitors is the ondol room option. Ondol (์จ๋) is Korea's traditional underfloor heating system โ instead of a bed, you sleep on a thick mattress laid directly on a heated floor. It's how Koreans have slept for centuries, and many hotels have stopped offering it. If you want to experience how Korean people actually rest at home, an ondol room is the way to do it.
Swiss Grand Hotel is close to Hongdae (ํ๋) โ one of Seoul's most vibrant and distinctive neighborhoods. If you're visiting the hotel as a BTS fan, Hongdae should be your next stop.
Hongdae has evolved into a hub for Korea's unique subcultures. You'll find K-pop idol merchandise shops, anime and cosplay streets, indie music venues, vintage clothing stores, and some of the most creative cafes in Seoul. It's where young Koreans go to express themselves โ artists, musicians, dancers, and yes, K-pop fans.
The area is especially alive at night. Street performers set up around Hongdae Park, buskers play original music, and the energy is unlike anywhere else in Seoul. For international ARMY visiting Korea, Hongdae gives you a taste of the creative culture that produced K-pop in the first place.