Squid Game Filming Locations in Seoul for Real Fans

When Netflix dropped Squid Game, most viewers were captivated by the surreal, candy-colored arenas and deadly childhood games. Yet for those of us living in Seoul, the series felt most grounded during the quiet, gritty scenes shot on our everyday neighborhood streets. While the giant game sets were constructed on private soundstages in Daejeon, the heart of the show’s real-world drama belongs entirely to authentic Seoul neighborhoods like Ssangmun-dong and Seongbuk-dong.

Walking through these unassuming residential corners offers a completely different perspective on the Korean capital. You won’t find flashy neon signs or towering skyscrapers here. Instead, you will experience the warm, nostalgic atmosphere of older Seoul neighborhoods filled with red-brick villa apartments, traditional markets, and sloped alleyways. Visiting these squid game filming locations seoul spots gives international fans a genuine glimpse into the daily life that framed Seong Gi-hun and Cho Sang-woo’s characters before they ever stepped foot on the island.

Baegun Market in Ssangmun-dong

In the series, this traditional street market serves as the emotional anchor for Cho Sang-woo’s back-story. It is where Sang-woo’s hardworking mother operates her modest fish stall, proudly displaying photos of her prestigious Seoul National University graduate son while Seong Gi-hun frequently drops by to say hello.

In real life, Baegun Market (백운시장) is a classic, unpretentious neighborhood market tucked away in Dobong-gu, northern Seoul. Unlike tourist-heavy markets like Gwangjang or Myeongdong, Baegun Market primarily caters to local residents buying daily groceries, fresh produce, and home-cooked side dishes. Banners welcoming drama fans were hung by local shop owners after the show became a global phenomenon, but the market retains its quiet, authentic local charm.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 4 to Ssangmun Station and exit through Exit 3. From there, you can take a local neighborhood bus (Dobong Bus 02 or Dobong Bus 04) for about five minutes directly to the Baegun Market entrance. Alternatively, it is a pleasant 15-minute walk straight through the residential streets of Ssangmun-dong. Keep in mind that market vendor hours vary, though most stalls open around 9:00 AM and close near 8:00 PM.

Seongbuk-dong Convenience Store

This setting hosts one of the show’s most heartwarming early interactions. Seong Gi-hun sits outside under a green plastic awning drinking cheap soju and eating uncooked instant ramen sprinkled with seasoning powder, where he unexpectedly bonds with the elderly Player 001, Oh Il-nam, on a rainy evening.

The actual location is a real, functioning CU convenience store branch located in the peaceful hillside neighborhood of Seongbuk-dong (specifically the CU Seongbuk Uchon branch). Seongbuk-dong is famous for housing traditional Korean homes, historic art museums, and foreign embassies, making this cozy residential convenience store stand out with its relatable everyday aesthetic. The exact plastic table setup from the show was placed temporarily for filming, but the store exterior remains immediately recognizable to sharp-eyed viewers.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 4 to Hansung University Station and head out through Exit 5. Transfer to local green bus Seongbuk 02 and ride it uphill for roughly six stops, alighting near the Seongbuk-dong residential zone. The walk from the main bus stop takes less than three minutes along a scenic residential street. Because this is an operating retail business, please purchase a drink or snack before taking photos nearby.

Shinpung Station on Subway Line 7

This location marks the precise moment Seong Gi-hun’s life changes forever. While waiting for the last subway train home after a long, frustrating day, he is approached on the brightly lit platform by a suited Salesman who invites him to play a game of ddakji for cash slaps.

The iconic scene was filmed inside Shinpung Station (신풍역), an active stop on Seoul Subway Line 7 located in Yeongdeungpo-gu. The sleek tiled walls, yellow safety gate lines, and subterranean lighting captured in the series reflect the exact late-night atmosphere of Seoul’s sprawling underground metro network. While thousands of commuters pass through daily without a second thought, fans can easily spot the tiled pillars near the platform edges.

How to get there

Simply board Seoul Subway Line 7 and travel directly to Shinpung Station. The scenes were shot along the train platform boarding area. To see the platform layout clearly without bumping into busy commuters, aim to visit during off-peak hours between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, or late in the evening before the final train runs.

Ssangmun-dong Residential Alleyways

Throughout the series’ early episodes, Gi-hun wanders through narrow, winding alleys lined with low-rise red-brick apartment buildings, steeply sloped stone staircases, and vintage street lamps on his long walks back to his mother’s basement flat.

These atmospheric streets are scattered throughout the residential blocks surrounding Ssangmun-dong in Dobong-gu. Ssangmun-dong holds a special place in Korean pop culture; besides being the primary backdrop for Squid Game, it is famously the setting for the hit nostalgic drama Reply 1988. The neighborhood represents classic 1980s and 1990s urban Seoul planning, characterized by intimate community vibes, parked scooters, and narrow passageways where neighbors interact daily.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 4 to Ssangmun Station (Exit 2 or 3). Simply wander two or three blocks inland off the main boulevard into the quiet residential blocks. The most recognizable alleyways with traditional brick facades lie between Ssangmun Station and the nearby Deokseung Women’s University area. Because local families live in these homes, always keep voices low and respect private residential entrances.

Make a Day of It

Since several key locations cluster in northern Seoul, you can easily turn your filming location hunt into a full afternoon exploring Dobong-gu and Seongbuk-dong. Start your morning at Baegun Market in Ssangmun-dong. Grab a quick snack from traditional market vendors—you will find delicious handmade dumplings (mandu), freshly fried sweet pancakes (hotteok), and spicy rice cakes (tteokbokki) at very affordable local prices.

After exploring the market and nearby alleyways, take Subway Line 4 down to Hansung University Station to visit Seongbuk-dong. Seongbuk-dong is ideal for a relaxed afternoon walk. After stopping by the famous convenience store, head further up the hill to visit historic cultural sights and charming traditional tea houses.

Time	Activity	Location
10:00 AM	Explore Baegun Market & Snacks	Ssangmun-dong, Dobong-gu
12:30 PM	Walk through retro residential alleys	Ssangmun Station Area
02:30 PM	Visit CU store & drink tea	Seongbuk-dong
05:00 PM	Subway ride to Shinpung Station	Yeongdeungpo-gu

End your afternoon by visiting Kansong Art Museum or taking a quiet break at Simwoojang, a historic hanok house tucked in the trees. To wrap up the tour, hop back on Line 4 and connect to Line 7 to check off Shinpung Station right before dinner.

Photo Tips

Capturing great photos at these real-world locations requires matching the show’s moody, grounded cinematic style while remaining mindful of locals.

• Baegun Market: Stand at the main covered entrance looking down the central aisle for a wide street-level view. Mid-morning light (between 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM) provides great natural illumination without heavy shadows.
• Seongbuk-dong Convenience Store: Frame your photo from across the narrow street looking toward the storefront, capturing the store sign and front seating space. Early dusk just as streetlights turn on offers that authentic rainy-night atmosphere seen in the show.
• Shinpung Subway Platform: Stand slightly back near the structural support pillars looking down the length of the platform screen doors. Use a wide-angle mobile phone lens during off-peak subway hours to keep empty space in the frame.
• Residential Etiquette: Never block doorway steps, do not film directly into private windows, and avoid using heavy camera tripods on narrow pedestrian pathways.

FAQ

Are the actual game arenas from Squid Game located in Seoul?

No, the massive indoor sets used for games like Red Light, Green Light, the maze staircases, and the glass bridge were custom built inside private film studios located in Daejeon, a city south of Seoul. Only the real-world character backstories were filmed on location in Seoul neighborhood streets.

How long does it take to visit all the Seoul locations listed?

Visiting all four locations takes approximately five to six hours total. Since Ssangmun-dong and Seongbuk-dong are located in northern Seoul along Subway Line 4, you can visit them back-to-back easily. Shinpung Station is located in southwest Seoul, requiring roughly 40 minutes of subway transit from northern Seoul.

Are these filming locations free to visit?

Yes, all locations listed are public subway stations, open traditional markets, and neighborhood streets, making them entirely free to visit. Please note that exact shop opening hours or business operations can change over time, so verify local business map apps like KakaoMap or Naver Map before heading out.

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