Want to relive the moments of your favorite k-drama? You can't meet its characters in real life, but you can visit the sites where important scenes took place. Let’s look at the most popular Korean drama filming locations. There are some spoilers, so be warned!
N Seoul Tower/Namsan Tower (Seoul)
Image Credits: Stefano Scuccimarra via Instagram
It's more than just a radio tower. N Seoul Tower is one of Seoul's most popular dating spots and one of the most-used k-drama filming locations. Boys Over Flowers (2009) fans may recall Jun-pyo and Jan-di’s less-than-smooth trip to the Tower. They get trapped on the gondola and are forced to spend the night there!
N Seoul Tower appears in countless other romantic shows, including True Beauty (2020-2021). Ju-kyung meets Su-ho during the first snow at the Love Locks. It’s a bittersweet scene that made viewers want the same experience for themselves, single or not!
Gwanghwamun Square/Gwanghwamun Plaza (Seoul)
Image Credits: Greg Zimmermann via Flickr
Our next location has great historical and cultural significance for Koreans. Gwanghwamun Square is the site of the King Sejong the Great and Admiral Yi Sun-sin statues and museums, several royal administrative buildings, and a fountain. These landmarks are visible in The King: Eternal Monarch (2020).
However, Gwanghwamun Square’s first major k-drama appearance was in the action thriller Iris (2009, below). After that, the Square appeared in several other shows such as City Hunter (2011) and Queen and I (2012). Besides these series, it’s also hosted concerts, festivals, and other K-pop-related events.
Lotte World (Seoul)
Image Credits: jayparkinseoul via Instagram
If you asked someone which is the best Korean amusement park, they’ll either say Everland or Lotte World. With its outdoor “Magic Island,” aquarium, ice rink, and countless other attractions, Lotte World is a beloved destination for all ages. As the Hallyu show Stairway to Heaven (2003-2004) showed, memories are made there that last a lifetime.
Image Credits: SBS via Wikipedia
However, Lotte World has usually appeared in k-dramas as a dating spot, and why not? With its beautiful carousel, thrilling rides, and mouth-watering treats, it’s sure to please everyone. Business Proposal (2022, below), True Beauty, and Love Alarm (2019-2021) are just some of the shows that had k-drama fans begging their oppas and noonas to take them there.
Image Credits: Netflix via Klook
Gyeongbokgung Palace (Seoul)
Image Credits: David Wilkinson via Flickr
The largest and most important of Seoul’s five palaces, Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of the city’s most popular tourist sites due to the gorgeous buildings, interesting museums, beautiful gardens, and the changing of the royal guard ceremony. It has also been the filming location for several historical dramas (sageuk, 사극), such as Moon Embracing the Sun (2012).
Image Credits: MBC via Dramabeans
The painstakingly restored buildings and well-kept grounds hold an air of timelessness. Gyeongbokgung Palace has appeared in everything from fantasy shows like Guardian: The Lonely and Great God/Goblin (2016-2017, below) to the historical-horror hybrid Kingdom (2019-2021). It’s an amazing location that everyone should visit – people who wear hanboks can enter for free!
Image Credits: tvN via ruffeecola's travel tales
Cheonggyecheon/Cheonggyecheon Stream (Seoul)
Image Credits: TEAM SEOULDAYS via Instagram
Once called Gaecheon, Cheonggyecheon is a stream that flows through downtown Seoul into Jungnangcheon, a tributary of the Han River. It’s a popular area for locals and tourists to walk, and it appears in many k-dramas. Flower of Evil (2020) viewers may remember it from a shocking phone call scene.
Image Credits: tvN via Creatrip
In a more romantic example, Jae-won and Seon-a/Eun-o from Lovestruck in the City (2020-2021) promise to meet again at Cheonggyecheon. If you wish to recreate moments from this show, then walk along the Stream during the evening under the streetlights or at one of the frequent events held at Cheonggye Plaza.
Forest of Wisdom (Paju)
Image Credits: Megan Krueger via Instagram
This next stop is perfect for both k-drama fans and bookworms. Located in Paju Book City, the Forest of Wisdom is a place where you can read books, have a cup of coffee, and learn about publishing at the Letterpress Museum. It’s also a place where some of your favorite k-drama scenes have been filmed, including an intense book signing from It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020).
Another iconic k-drama, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018), also shot here. Young-joon and Mi-so visit the library and are stuck when the electricity goes off. They bond over books and even hold hands while waiting to be rescued. We hope that our Seoulmates have a less eventful visit to this amazing venue!
Jumunjin Beach Breakwater (Jumunjin)
Image Credits: SERA J via Instagram
Goblin has so many striking locations, like the Sinchon Graffiti Tunnel and the Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway. But the one we wanted to highlight is the Jumunjin Beach Breakwater, an important fishing harbor found on the Sea of Japan. Eun-tak visits this spot to speak to her departed mother, and it's here that she summons Goblin for the first time.
The Breakwater also pops up in More Than Friends (2020) in one scene where Lee Soo tries to prove his feelings to Woo-yeon. ARMYs might be more familiar with this spot, however, from the music video for BTS' “Spring Day” (2017). A replica of the bus stop built for the song can still be visited there today.
Image Credits: JTBC via Creatrip
Bukchon Hanok Village (Seoul)
Image Credits: Nat via Instagram
Bukchon Hanok Village allows visitors to experience Korea in a different way. They can wear hanboks, drink tea, and try various crafts and activities. But the village’s appearance in k-dramas has been slightly more modern. For example, the rom-com Personal Taste (2010) is filmed at the Rakgojae Guesthouse, appearing as Sanggojae, the female lead's house.
Image Credits: MBC via KoreabyMe
Another guesthouse, Samcheong-dong Korea Guesthouse, appears in a more hair-raising scene from Hotel del Luna (2019). Other k-dramas that have filmed romantic, funny, or otherwise memorable scenes include True Beauty, The Heirs (2013), and She Was Pretty (2015). Whatever shows you fancy, you must visit Bukchon Hanok Village where they were filmed!
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Nami Island/Namiseom (Chuncheon)
Image Credits: Shizen Travel via Instagram
You’ve probably already heard of this famous tourist attraction, but in case you haven't: Nami Island is a manmade island and former amusement park. It’s also been the home of the micronation Naminara Republic since 2006. But in 2002, it made its k-drama debut in Winter Sonata.
Note: No English subtitles available
Since then, Nami Island has appeared in shows like Hi Bye, Mama! (2020), which are equal measures heart-warming and heartbreaking. It's a place where couples can steal a few kisses, children can play to their heart’s content, and folks can think or grieve in private. Nami Island is definitely more than it seems.
Seonyudo Park (Seoul)
Image Credits: Jual Kimchi Surabaya HALAL via Instagram
This hidden gem was converted from a water treatment spot to the beautiful yet underrated park you see today. And with its mixture of concrete structures, pipes, water, and thriving greenery, it's no surprise that Seonyudo Park has appeared in several popular k-dramas. Remember the BOF episode where Jan-di and second lead Ji-hu take wedding photos? Yes, it’s at Seonyudo Park.
Thanks to its secluded nature, Seonyudo Park is the perfect spot to make an important phone call (Iris) or take a breather from the duties of being a princess (Princess Hours, 2006, below). While it’s gotten more popular with residents and visitors, it remains a less busy area, and we encourage our Seoulmates to check it out if they’re ever in Seoul.
Note: Seonyudo Park appears at 2:51
Yongin Daejanggeum Park (Yongin)
Image Credits: KTO - Manila Office via Instagram
Fun fact: this “park” was built specifically for MBC k-dramas! First called MBC Dramia, it contains sets reflecting the Samguk, Goryeo, and Joseon eras. The park was renamed Daejanggeum Park in 2015 after the Korean name for Jewel in the Palace (2003-2004), which was filmed there.
Image Credits: MBC via Laa Wardaht Bilaa Syaukaht
Of course, there have been other sageuks that were shot here: Queen Seondeok (2009), Moon Embracing the Sun, Scholar Who Walks the Night (2015), and Mr. Queen (2020-2021, below), to name a few. ARMYs may also recognize the complex from Agust D’s “Daechwita” (2020) music video.
Image Credits: tvN via Annyeong Kimchi Land
Eungbong Mountain Park/Eungbongsan (Seoul)
Image Credits: Au Princena via Instagram
If you’re looking to relive a k-drama moment and get exercise, then check out Eungbong Mountain outside Seoul. It takes 30 minutes to reach the top and has fantastic views. You may recognize this spot from Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2016-2017), where our main couple has some important heart-to-heart moments.
While Eungbong Mountain can be a bit of a climb, it’s also a great spot for a photoshoot or a date, as seen in Are You Human? (2018, below), Find Me in Your Memory (2020), and So I Married An Anti-Fan (2021). Try some rock climbing if you want to go the extra mile!
Image Credits: KBS via Korean Dramaland on Pinterest
Yeouido Hangang Park (Seoul)
Image Credits: Florian Preckwitz via Instagram
Located right along the Han River, Yeouido Hangang Park is both a popular picnic spot (especially during the spring) and an iconic filming location. Besides the green spaces, walkways, and bike paths, there are several outdoor attractions including the E-Land Cruise, which appears in What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim.
Image Credits: tvN via KoreabyMe
Yeouido Hangang Park is where characters have intimate conversations, share happy moments, or make important decisions (such as in Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol, 2020). No matter if it’s a picnic, a nighttime walk, or an unexpected drop-off (à la Squid Game, 2021), you have countless k-drama scenes to draw on if you ever happen to be in Yeouido Hangang Park.
Keimyung University (Daegu)
Image Credits: potato_photo_po via Instagram
If you watched BOF and wished you could attend the same school, then you’re in luck! Shinhwa School is actually Keimyung University, a private university in Daegu with three campuses: Daemyeong, Seongseo, and Dongsan. Daemyeong Campus is the most famous, appearing in around 100 movies, countless k-dramas, and several music videos.
With its red brick buildings, sprawling grounds, and surrounding forest, Keimyung University looks exactly like the posh schools it portrays in BOF and Extraordinary You (2019, below). We recommend that you visit it in the spring, when the cherry trees are in bloom, or during the fall so you catch the gorgeous autumn colors.
Image Credits: MBC via qli on Twitter
Yonsei University (Seoul)
Image Credits: Zulfirah Zhahrah via Instagram
But if you want a university that looks and feels like a castle, look no further than Yonsei University. In real life, Yonsei is one of the SKY universities, which are notoriously difficult to enter. In k-dramas, however, it doubles as a prestigious high school, like Saebom High School from True Beauty (below) and Seuli High School in Extraordinary You.
Image Credits: tvN via Creatrip
But it doesn’t just appear as a high school! Reply 1994 (2013, below) fans will recognize it as the university that the main characters attend. It also appears as a college in Hello, My Twenties!/Age of Youth (2016-2017) and a university in Romance is a Bonus Book (2019). You might not be able to attend Yonsei, but you can at least walk around pretending you’re a k-drama MC.
Image Credits: tvN via Window Seat.ph
Konkuk University (Seoul and Chungju)
Image Credits: Simon T. via Flickr
With two campuses, Konkuk University is another private university that has appeared in your favorite k-dramas. For example, it was where Ha No-ra pretended to be in her 20’s again as a college student in Second 20s (also called Twenty Again, 2015), although it was renamed Woocheon University for the series.
Other k-drama leads have walked its corridors: Eun-tak takes her entrance exam here in Goblin (below) while Hong-joo attempts to save some students in While You Were Sleeping (2017). It also appears in a flashback from when female lead So-ah was a student in The Bride of Habaek (2017). Time stands still at Konkuk, and you’ll experience it the moment you set foot on its campuses.
Image Credits: tvN via ruffeecola's travel tales
Ewha Womans University (Seoul)
Image Credits: go_dh1995 via Instagram
Finally, we have the all-woman’s university that has produced some of the best Korean politicians, scientists, and CEOs. With so many programs available and its high pedigree, it’s one of the most popular schools in Korea, for studying and filming. In fact, Hospital Playlist (2020-2021) used Ewha’s Medical Center for shooting the Yulje Medical Center scenes.
Image Credits: tvN via Creatrip
Like the other universities on this list, Ewha’s buildings are stunning, appearing in shows like Love Alarm. And the campus itself is close to other iconic filming locations, like the Sinchon Graffiti Tunnel we mentioned earlier. With all these factors, Ewha Womans University deserves more recognition from k-drama fans.
Image Credits: Netflix via Creatrip
There are so many other places that we could have mentioned on this list. What’s your favorite k-drama filming location? Let us know and tell us if you’ve visited or hope to visit it soon!
