Namsan Tower K-Drama Locations: 4 Iconic Seoul Spots

Where Seoul’s Sky Meets Screen Romance

Standing at the base of N Seoul Tower as dusk settles over the city, you can hear the faint metallic clink of thousands of padlocks swaying in the mountain breeze. For decades, Namsan Mountain and its crowning broadcast tower have served as the ultimate backdrop for romance, heartbreak, and dramatic reunions in Korean television. Watching Seoul light up from these hills feels like stepping directly into a favorite scene.

Namsan Tower K-drama locations hold a special place in the hearts of long-time viewers. Because the tower sits in the center of Seoul, directors frequently use its silhouette to anchor stories in the capital. From early 2000s classics that built the Hallyu wave to modern global hits, walking these mountain slopes lets fans retrace steps taken by iconic characters. The best part is that almost all of these spots sit within a single public park system, making a full day of location hunting easy for travelers.

The Love Locks Roof Terrace at N Seoul Tower

In My Love from the Star, Cheon Song-yi mentions wanting to lock a padlock on Namsan Tower like lovers do, leading to a memorable date night with Do Min-joon overlooking the twinkling skyline. Years before that, Gu Jun-pyo and Geum Jan-di left their mark in Boys Over Flowers at this exact vantage point.

This location is the public roof terrace on the T2/T3 levels surrounding the base of N Seoul Tower Plaza. Dozens of colorful fence panels and giant key-shaped trees are wrapped entirely in padlocks written with names and wishes from couples and fans worldwide. The terrace offers an unobstructed panoramic view of downtown Seoul, framed by the tower rising directly above you.

How to get there

Take the Seoul Subway Line 4 to Myeongdong Station and head out Exit 3. Catch the Namsan Sunhwan Shuttle Bus No. 01 from the bus stop near the exit. Ride the bus straight up the mountain to the N Seoul Tower stop, then walk uphill for roughly five minutes toward the main tower plaza plaza.

Namsan Cable Car and Boarding Station

In Boys Over Flowers, Gu Jun-pyo waits endlessly in the freezing cold for Geum Jan-di near the lower station, leading to a scene where they end up stuck inside the cable car cabin overnight. The cable car also makes a nostalgic appearance in True Beauty, where the characters visit Namsan during winter snowstorms.

Operating since 1962, the Namsan Cable Car carries passengers from the foot of Mt. Namsan in Hoehyeon-dong up to the crest of the park near the tower base. The ride takes less than ten minutes and gives riders a floating view over the lush mountain trees and surrounding city neighborhoods. The lower station building houses ticket counters, while the top station opens right onto the wooden stairs leading to the summit plaza.

How to get there

From Myeongdong Station (Line 4), walk out Exit 3 and head toward the Pacific Hotel. Walk up the street on the right of the hotel for about 10 to 15 minutes until you reach the main road. Alternatively, use the Namsan Ormi, a free inclined outdoor elevator located near the Hoehyeon Underground Shopping Center entrance, which delivers you directly to the lower cable car station.

The Namsan Library Staircase

In the classic rom-com My Name is Kim Sam-soon, the final scene features Kim Sam-soon and Hyun Jin-heon sharing a tender, iconic kiss on a long flight of outdoor stairs after climbing them together.

This famous flight of stairs is situated outdoors directly beside the Namsan Public Library in the Yongsan-gu area. Surrounded by mature trees that change drastically with the seasons, the long stone-and-wooden stairwell connects the lower avenue near the library to the upper pedestrian trails of Namsan Park. It remains one of the most visited television spots in Seoul despite the show airing years ago.

How to get there

Take Subway Line 4 to Hoehyeon Station and leave via Exit 4. Walk uphill along Sowol-ro for about 15 minutes toward Namsan Public Library, or board Namsan Sunhwan Shuttle Bus No. 01 from Hoehyeon Station and alight at the Namsan Library bus stop. The stairs sit right next to the main library entrance.

Baekbeom Square Park Fortress Wall

In Itaewon Class, Park Sae-royi and Jo Yi-seo walk alongside the glowing historical stone wall at night, discussing their dreams and business ambitions against the backdrop of N Seoul Tower beaming in the distance.

Baekbeom Square is a wide hilltop park on the western slope of Namsan Mountain that contains a beautifully restored section of the Hanyangdoseong, the original Seoul City Wall built during the Joseon Dynasty. The park features rolling grassy lawns, walking paths, and expansive views looking toward Myeongdong and Seoul Station. At night, warm yellow footlights illuminate the ancient masonry, creating a dramatic pathway that frames the tower behind it.

How to get there

Take Subway Line 4 to Hoehyeon Station and head out Exit 4. Walk toward the foot of Namsan Mountain for about five to seven minutes. You will see the grassy slopes and rising stone walls of Baekbeom Square Park appearing directly ahead of you.

Make a Day of It

Exploring Namsan Mountain works best when you pair filming spots with local food and neighborhood walks. Start your morning on the lower slopes near Hoehyeon Station by visiting Baekbeom Square while the morning light hits the ancient city wall. From there, take a short stroll over to the Namsan Library Staircase before continuing uphill toward the cable car station.

When lunch time arrives, walk down the slope along Sowol-ro to the famous Namsan Tonkatsu Street. This corridor of restaurants has served giant, pounded pork cutlets smothered in savory brown sauce since the 1990s. The cutlets are served alongside a simple green pepper, rice, and warm cream soup, offering classic local comfort food loved by Seoul residents and movie crews alike.

In the late afternoon, take the cable car or shuttle bus to the summit plaza. Spend time browsing the shops at N Seoul Tower, enjoying coffee on the observation deck, and finding a spot on the terrace to watch the sunset over the Han River. Finish your evening descending into Myeongdong to explore bright street markets, cosmetics shops, and night market food stalls serving hotteok (sweet pancakes) and grilled lobster skewers.

Photo Tips

Getting great pictures at Namsan Tower K-drama locations comes down to timing and perspective. For the Love Locks Terrace, visit about 40 minutes before sunset during golden hour. Position your subject near the railing so the glowing metallic locks frame the foreground while the upper body of N Seoul Tower sits in the background. Use a shallow depth of field to make the locks blend into soft light spots behind your subject.

At Baekbeom Square, wait until twilight when the city lights switch on and the stone wall lights illuminate. Stand near the lower end of the fortress wall path and shoot upward. This angle captures the winding curve of the ancient wall, your subject on the path, and the lit tower standing tall in the upper portion of your frame.

FAQ

How much time do I need to visit all these locations?

Set aside roughly four to five hours. This leaves enough time to walk between Baekbeom Square and the library stairs, take the cable car or bus, explore the summit plaza, take photos, and sit down for a meal at the bottom of the hill.

Do I need tickets to see these K-drama spots?

Walking through Baekbeom Square, taking photos at the library stairs, and visiting the outdoor Love Locks terrace at N Seoul Tower are completely free. You only need to buy tickets if you ride the Namsan Cable Car or go up inside the tower’s indoor observation deck.

Can I bring my own lock for the Love Locks deck?

Yes, visitors can bring their own padlocks purchased beforehand from local stationery shops or convenience stores. Locks are also sold at gifts shops inside N Seoul Tower Plaza, complete with markers to write messages.

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