Hotel Del Luna Filming Locations and Sightseeing in Mokpo

Stepping off the KTX high-speed train at Mokpo Station, the salty breeze from the southwestern coast hits you right away. While many travelers head straight to the port for fresh seafood, K-drama enthusiasts instantly feel a surge of recognition. This historic port city in South Jeolla Province harbors one of the most breathtaking sights in modern Korean television: the actual exterior facade of the legendary ghost sanctuary from Hotel Del Luna.

Starring Lee Ji-eun (IU) as the fiercely stylish hotelier Jang Man-wol and Yeo Jin-goo as the earnest manager Gu Chan-sung, Hotel Del Luna captivated global viewers with its dark fantasy aesthetics and emotional storytelling. While the hotel’s velvet-draped interior was constructed on soundstages, its grand, ivy-clad red-brick exterior is very real. It sits atop a gentle hill overlooking Mokpo’s historic district. Beyond the hotel itself, Mokpo’s preserved early 20th-century streetscapes and retro neighborhoods have served as backdrops for numerous period dramas and romantic series. Here is how to plan an unforgettable day trip around these memorable filming sites.

Top K-Drama Filming Locations in Mokpo

Location Name	Drama Featured	Main Attraction
Mokpo Modern History Museum Hall 1	Hotel Del Luna	Hotel Exterior Facade
Seosan-dong Sihwa Village	1987, Pachinko	Retro Alleys & Supermarket
Mokpo Marine Cable Car	Various Variety & Dramas	Panoramic Coastal Views

Mokpo Modern History Museum Hall 1 (Hotel Del Luna Exterior)

In Hotel Del Luna, this imposing building serves as the main exterior of the magical hotel during the daytime and across historical flashbacks. Viewers watch Jang Man-wol stand proudly outside its grand entrance, as well as Gu Chan-sung walking up its stone steps to accept his destiny as the human manager for deceased souls.

In reality, this stunning structure was built in 1900 as the Japanese Consulate during the Japanese colonial era. Later transformed into the Mokpo City Hall and a public library, it now operates as Hall 1 of the Mokpo Modern History Museum. The combination of classic Renaissance revival architecture, dramatic red-brick masonry, and lush greenery clinging to the walls gives it an otherworldly charm. Inside, visitors can view curated historical artifacts detailing Mokpo’s growth as a major port town and its resilience during the modern era.

How to Get There

From Mokpo KTX Station, the museum is remarkably close. You can take a scenic 15-minute walk through the historic district heading west along Yeongsan-ro. Alternatively, hop on City Bus No. 1, 2, or 60 from the station forecourt and get off at the Mokpo Modern History Museum stop. A taxi ride takes under five minutes.

Seosan-dong Sihwa Village & Yeonhui’s Supermarket

While best known for its prominent role in the historical film 1987: When the Day Comes and scenes in period dramas like Pachinko, this neighborhood captures the exact retro atmosphere seen in Hotel Del Luna‘s flashback sequences set in 1970s and 1980s Korea. The winding stone steps, bright pastel rooftops, and vintage signs take you back in time.

The village was constructed along the steep slopes of Yudalsan Mountain by local fishermen and laborers decades ago. Today, it remains an active residential area where elderly citizens have written poetry and painted colorful murals on their own exterior walls. At the bottom of the main staircase stands Yeonhui’s Supermarket, a perfectly preserved shop set with nostalgic candy, old advertisements, and retro household items.

How to Get There

From the Mokpo Modern History Museum, you can reach Sihwa Village via a 10-minute taxi ride or a 15-minute bus trip on City Bus No. 1. Get off at the Seosan-dong / Sihwa Alley stop. Because this is a quiet residential neighborhood, please keep noise levels down and refrain from taking photos directly into private home windows.

Mokpo Modern Culture and Arts Street

Throughout Hotel Del Luna, Man-wol and Chan-sung stroll past quaint, early 20th-century storefronts during their outings away from the hotel grounds. The neighborhood immediately surrounding the museum represents one of Korea’s best-preserved modern heritage zones, making you feel as though you are stepping straight onto a television set.

This pedestrian-friendly district features restored wooden Japanese-style houses, retro brick storefronts, and independent artisan shops. Many of the old residential buildings have been transformed into charming vintage cafes, traditional tea houses, and craft workshops. Walking down these peaceful streets offers a glimpse into the architectural transition of Korea during the early 1900s.

How to Get There

The street encompasses the block directly at the foot of the hill leading up to the Mokpo Modern History Museum Hall 1. Simply walk down the museum staircase and explore the grid of streets expanding toward the harbor.

Mokpo Marine Cable Car & Yudalsan Mountain

Although the primary filming scenes occur at the museum, several establishing shots of Mokpo’s dramatic coastline and urban hills featured in television broadcasts showcase Yudalsan Mountain. To understand the scale and beauty of the city seen in K-dramas, a ride on the cable car is essential.

Spanning 3.23 kilometers, the Mokpo Marine Cable Car is one of the longest cable car systems in South Korea. It connects the city center at Bukhang Station, passes over the rocky peaks of Yudalsan Mountain, and crosses the sea to Gohado Island. The cabin floors are available in crystal-bottom glass options, giving riders an unobstructed, bird’s-eye view of the historic district, the hotel museum hill, and the surrounding archipelagos.

How to Get There

From Mokpo Station or the historical street district, take City Bus No. 1 or No. 20 to the Bukhang (North Port) Cable Car Station, which takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes. Taxis are also plentiful and reach the station in under 10 minutes.

Make a Day of It

A K-drama trip to Mokpo is incomplete without indulging in the city’s legendary culinary tradition. Known across South Korea as a food paradise, Mokpo offers incredible coastal delicacies that satisfy every palate.

• Spicy Crab Meat Rice Bowl (Kkotge-bim-bap): Located just a few minutes on foot from the Hotel Del Luna filming site, local restaurants specialize in fresh blue crab meat tossed in a savory red pepper sauce. Mix the seasoned crab meat directly into warm rice with sesame oil and seaweed strips.
• Colombang Bakery / CLB Bakery: A historic bakery operating since the mid-20th century, located near Mokpo Station. Famous for its signature cream cheese baguettes and soft mustard baguettes, this spot is a mandatory stop for buying baked treats before heading home.
• Gatbawi Rock Promenade: Conclude your evening with a gentle stroll along the wooden pedestrian boardwalk at Gatbawi Rock. These natural sandstone formations resemble two figures wearing traditional Korean brimmed hats (gat) and are illuminated with beautiful ocean lights after dark.

Photo Tips

To capture the ultimate shot of the Hotel Del Luna exterior, stand at the base of the wide stone staircase leading up to Mokpo Modern History Museum Hall 1. Frame your photo aiming upward to incorporate the sweeping stone stairs, the red-brick archways, and the vibrant greenery surrounding the facade.

The best time for photography is late afternoon, approximately one to two hours before golden hour. The sunlight hits the front red bricks directly, highlighting the building’s rich textures. If you stay until dusk, the exterior lantern lights switch on, creating the eerie, romantic mood identical to the evening scenes from the drama.

FAQ

How far is Mokpo from Seoul, and can I visit on a single day trip?

Mokpo is located approximately 300 kilometers southwest of Seoul. Taking the high-speed KTX train from Yongsan Station or Seoul Station takes roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes each way. Because the main filming locations are grouped closely together near Mokpo Station, a day trip is very manageable if you start early in the morning.

Can you tour the inside of the Hotel Del Luna building?

Yes, you can enter Mokpo Modern History Museum Hall 1 by purchasing an admission ticket at the gate. However, please note that the luxurious interior hotel rooms, grand staircase, and bar shown in the drama were filmed on a separate soundstage set in Gyeonggi Province. Inside the museum, you will find exhibits regarding Mokpo’s local history rather than television sets.

Are the filming locations accessible all year round?

Yes, the exterior locations, historic streets, and Seosan-dong Sihwa Village can be visited year-round. However, indoor facilities like the museum and the marine cable car have specific operational hours and may close during severe weather conditions. Operating hours and holiday schedules should always be verified online prior to your visit.

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