1987 Movie Filming Locations in Korea You Can Visit

Discovering the Historic Setting of 1987

Walking up the narrow hillside alleyway toward Yeonhee-ne Supermarket on a quiet afternoon, the faded hand-painted signboards and vintage glass bottles on display feel like stepping directly through a rift in time. Director Jang Joon-hwan’s 2017 masterpiece 1987: When the Day Comes captured a pivotal chapter of modern South Korean history with raw tension and moving humanity. Featuring an ensemble cast including Kim Yoon-seok, Ha Jung-woo, Kim Tae-ri, and Kang Dong-won, the film chronicles the real events following the tragic death of a college activist during police custody and the nationwide public outcry that followed.

While the film portrays intense historical struggles, visiting its real-world filming locations gives cinema enthusiasts and travelers an extraordinary connection to both South Korean filmcraft and modern history. Many of the streets, academic halls, and grand architectural landmarks seen on screen are publicly accessible today. Exploring these sites allows you to experience authentic retro urban landscapes and historic Seoul neighborhoods that continue to thrive long after the camera crews packed up.

Yeonhee-ne Supermarket in Mokpo

In the film, this cozy neighborhood shop serves as the home and workplace of Yeon-hee (played by Kim Tae-ri), representing the everyday citizens who found themselves swept into historical events. It is the backdrop for key character interactions, quiet family dinners, and dramatic street encounters right outside the front doors.

In reality, the building is known as Yeonhee-ne Supermarket (연희네 슈퍼) and stands at the entrance of Sihwahalmoeni Village in Mokpo, Jeollanam-do. The shop was built inside an authentic post-war coastal neighborhood that retains the low-rise slate roofs and winding stone alleys typical of mid-20th-century Korea. Following the movie’s success, local preservation efforts kept the store set intact. Inside the small glass windows, you can see vintage 1980s candy jars, retro cigarette boxes, old posters, and classic household goods that bring the set to life. The surrounding alleyways feature heartwarming poetry and colorful murals created by the neighborhood’s long-time senior residents.

How to Get There

Take the KTX high-speed train from Seoul Station to Mokpo Station, which takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. From Mokpo Station, walk to the nearby bus stop and take local city bus 1, 2, or 60. Ride for about 10 minutes and get off at the Seosan-dong / Yeonhee-ne Supermarket stop. Alternatively, a quick 5-minute taxi ride from Mokpo Station costs around 4,000 to 5,000 KRW.

Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul

During the movie, this majestic gothic church provides a high-stakes sanctuary where political activists, religious figures, and journalists meet secretly to protect evidence and coordinate public announcements safe from authorities.

Myeongdong Cathedral is one of Seoul’s most famous spiritual and architectural landmarks. Built between 1892 and 1898, the cathedral features a striking red and gray brick Gothic Revival structure with a 45-meter-tall spire. Beyond its architectural distinction, the cathedral played an actual, crucial role in South Korea’s pro-democracy movements during the 1970s and 1980s as a safe refuge for activists. Today, the peaceful stone plaza and arched interior offer a quiet space for reflection directly alongside the vibrant energy of the surrounding Myeongdong commercial district.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 2 to Euljiro 1-ga Station (Exit 12) or Line 4 to Myeongdong Station (Exit 8 or 10). Walk along Myeongdong-gil street for approximately 5 to 7 minutes toward the hill. The cathedral stands prominently at the top of the walkway.

Former Namyeong-dong Interrogation Center

This stark, dark-brick building serves as the setting for the opening act of the film, where high-ranking officials attempt to cover up critical events inside specialized interrogation rooms.

Originally constructed in 1976 and designed by renowned architect Kim Swoo-geun, this facility in Yongsan-gu was historically used by the anti-communist branch of the national police force. The building was purpose-built with disorienting spiral staircases leading directly to narrow fifth-floor rooms with tiny windows. Today, the location has been transformed into the Democracy Human Rights Memorial Hall (민주인권기념관). Visitors can walk through preserved corridors and see Room 509, which remains kept as a historical memorial space to commemorate human rights movements. The site offers visitors a solemn, educational look into Korea’s journey toward modern democratic governance.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 1 to Namyeong Station (Exit 1) or Line 4 to Sookmyung Women’s University Station (Exit 7). Walk along Hangang-daero 71-gil for roughly 3 minutes. The dark brick building is located just a short block from the main street.

Yonsei University Sinchon Campus

The leafy university walkways and classical stone halls appear during critical rally scenes and student gathering moments that highlight campus life during the late 1980s.

Founded in 1885, Yonsei University is one of Korea’s oldest and most prestigious academic institutions. The Sinchon campus is famous for its picturesque ivy-covered Tudor Gothic architecture, particularly Underwood Hall, Stimson Hall, and Appenzeller Hall—all designated as national cultural heritage sites. The long central boulevard, Baekyang-ro, and the surrounding open-air amphitheater are popular filming locations for numerous K-dramas and historical films due to their classic timeless aesthetic.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 2 to Sinchon Station (Exit 2 or 3). Walk straight along Sinchon-ro toward the north for about 8 minutes to reach the main front gates of Yonsei University.

Make a Day of It

Visiting these historical filming locations opens up fantastic opportunities to explore unique neighborhoods, sample regional foods, and experience local culture nearby.

Filming Location	Region / Area	Nearby Local Highlight
Yeonhee-ne Supermarket	Mokpo, Jeollanam-do	Sihwahalmoeni Mural Village & Mokpo Modern History Museum
Myeongdong Cathedral	Myeongdong, Seoul	Kalguksu noodle shops & Namsan Cable Car
Namyeong-dong Site	Yongsan-gu, Seoul	Yongridan-gil trendy cafe street
Yonsei University	Sinchon, Seoul	Sinchon youth shopping district & Ewha neighborhood

If you take the trip out to Mokpo to visit Yeonhee-ne Supermarket, spend the rest of your morning exploring the winding hillside paths of Sihwahalmoeni Village. Stop by the local cafes overlooking the port for fresh drip coffee. For lunch, try Mokpo’s famous local specialty, kkotgetang (spicy crab soup) or grilled octopus, at one of the traditional seafood restaurants near the ferry terminal. Afterward, take a short stroll to the Mokpo Modern History Museum Building 1, a preserved red-brick Japanese consulate building that was also featured in the drama Hotel Del Luna.

For a day around Seoul, pair a morning visit to Myeongdong Cathedral with a bowl of handmade knife-cut noodles (kalguksu) at one of Myeongdong’s decades-old dining institutions. From there, take a pleasant 15-minute walk toward Namsan to catch the cable car up to N Seoul Tower. If you visit the former Namyeong-dong Interrogation Center, you can walk just 10 minutes south into Yongridan-gil, a vibrant dining enclave packed with converted retro brick houses, specialty coffee roasters, and bakery cafes.

Photo Tips

• Yeonhee-ne Supermarket: Frame your shot from across the narrow three-way intersection looking slightly upward toward the store facade. To capture the full vintage ambiance without crowd shadows, visit during mid-morning on a weekday when the light evenly illuminates the retro signage.
• Myeongdong Cathedral: Position yourself at the base of the wide stone stairway leading up to the main entrance. Late afternoon golden hour creates a striking warm glow against the red brick exterior and arched stained-glass windows.
• Yonsei University Underwood Hall: Stand at the central garden courtyard facing the ivy-covered stone building. Early autumn (October to early November) offers brilliant crimson leaves crawling up the stone facade.

FAQ

Are these filming locations suitable for a casual day trip from Seoul?

All Seoul-based locations (Myeongdong Cathedral, Yonsei University, and Namyeong-dong) are centrally located and easily reachable within 15 to 30 minutes via the Seoul subway system. Visiting Yeonhee-ne Supermarket in Mokpo requires a high-speed train trip (2.5 hours each way), making Mokpo ideal for an overnight coastal trip or a full day excursion from Seoul.

Is Yeonhee-ne Supermarket open for visitors to enter inside?

While the interior set elements are visible through the large glass storefront windows, entry into the shop interior can be restricted depending on local maintenance schedules and weather conditions. However, the external facade, retro vending displays, and surrounding street mural paths are accessible to visitors at all times.

Do I need tickets or advance reservations to visit these locations?

None of these public spots require general entrance tickets. Myeongdong Cathedral and Yonsei University grounds are free and open to the public. The Democracy Human Rights Memorial Hall (former Namyeong-dong facility) is generally free to visit, though operating hours for internal exhibit rooms should be verified online prior to your visit.

Keep Reading

• Gyeongju Movie Locations Walking Tour and KDrama Sites
• A Moment To Remember Filming Locations in Seoul
• Visiting The Outlaws Filming Locations in Garibong Seoul
• Real Exhuma Filming Locations You Can Visit in Korea