Busan KDrama Filming Locations: Iconic Places to Visit

Where Coastal Drama Meets Cinema

Standing on the edge of Ahopsan Forest near dusk, watching light filter through thousands of towering bamboo stalks, you instantly understand why location scouts bypass Seoul when they need deep atmospheric magic. Busan offers a stark, stunning contrast that Korea’s capital cannot match: abrupt mountains dropping directly into the ocean, neon-lit harbor bridges, and winding hillside alleys unchanged since the 1950s.

While Seoul serves as the backdrop for urban corporate dramas, Busan provides the soul for fantasy portals, gritty thrillers, nostalgic romances, and sweeping action films. Visiting these sites gives you a raw look at coastal life while walking directly into scenes from shows like The King: Eternal Monarch, My Name, and Crash Course in Romance. Here are the top busan kdrama filming locations you can easily build an itinerary around.

1. Ahopsan Forest (Gijang)

In The King: Eternal Monarch, this breathtaking bamboo grove serves as the mystic gate between two parallel universes—the modern Republic of Korea and the Kingdom of Corea. It is here that King Lee Gon (played by Lee Min-ho) rides his white horse Maximus through the tall bamboo pillars toward the stone obelisks.

In reality, Ahopsan Forest is a privately owned, 400-year-old natural forest managed by the same family for nine generations. Unlike municipal parks, it was closed to the public for centuries, which kept the massive bamboo groves, red pines, and native flora impeccably preserved. Beyond fantasy dramas, historical masterpieces like Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo and 100 Days My Prince were also shot along these tranquil earth paths.

How to get there

Take Busan Subway Line 1 to Nopo Station (Exit 2). Transfer to Town Bus Geumjeong-gu 2-1 and ride it for roughly 25 minutes to the Midong Village (미동마을) stop. From the bus stop, walk straight up the paved road for five minutes following the wooden signs toward Ahopsan Forest. Alternatively, a taxi from Nopo Station takes about 15 minutes and costs roughly 12,000 KRW.

2. Huinnyeoul Culture Village (Yeongdo)

This cliffside coastal village features prominently in the classic film The Attorney as well as scenes from Just Between Lovers and D.P.. It is where characters often stand on steep staircases looking out over the cargo ships anchored in the blue sea, contemplating crucial life choices.

Huinnyeoul was originally established by refugees fleeing south during the Korean War. Houses were built tightly along the narrow ledge of Mount Bongrae, overlooking the Straits of Korea. Today, local artists and residents have transformed the white-walled alleyways with colorful murals, seaside cafes, and quiet lookout points. Because this remains a vibrant residential area, visitors should keep noise to a minimum while exploring the narrow paths.

How to get there

Take Busan Subway Line 1 to Nampo Station (Exit 6). Walk straight to the bus stop right outside the exit and board Bus 7, 71, or 508. Ride for about 10 minutes and get off at the Huinnyeoul Culture Village stop. The coastal walking trail starts right across the street.

3. Cheongsapo Railroad & Port (Haeundae)

In Crash Course in Romance and Now, We Are Breaking Up, Cheongsapo’s picturesque ocean crosswalk and historic railway track host seaside strolls and dramatic reunions. The view down the sloped street—where the coastal train passes right in front of the turquoise ocean—looks like a scene straight out of an anime.

Cheongsapo is a peaceful fishing hamlet tucked between Haeundae Beach and Songjeong Beach. It is famous for its twin lighthouses (one red, one white) standing guard over the harbor, fresh grilled clam restaurants, and the Haeundae Blueline Park Beach Train, which runs along converted vintage train tracks right past the shoreline.

How to get there

Take Busan Subway Line 2 to Jangsan Station (Exit 7). From the bus stop outside, board Green Town Bus Haeundae-gu 2 and get off at the Cheongsapo bus terminus. You can also ride the scenic Haeundae Blueline Park Beach Train directly from Mipo Station (near Haeundae) to Cheongsapo Station.

4. Jagalchi Market & Bosdong Book Street (Nampo-dong)

For fans of gritty thrillers like Netflix’s My Name or indie romances like Run On, this central neighborhood is mandatory. The sprawling wet market stalls and neon lights of Jagalchi serve as the background for suspenseful chases, while the quiet paper-scented rows of nearby Bosdong Book Street offer a cozy, nostalgic contrast.

Jagalchi Market is Korea’s largest seafood market, operated largely by resilient women known as Jagalchi Ajumma. Just a 10-minute walk away lies Bosdong Book Street, an alley formed after the Korean War when fleeing families sold off personal book collections to buy food. It remains one of the few surviving secondhand bookstore alleys in the country.

How to get there

Take Busan Subway Line 1 to Jagalchi Station (Exit 10 for the market, or Exit 7 for Bosdong Book Street). Jagalchi Market sits directly along the waterfront. To reach Bosdong, walk 10 minutes inland toward the base of Mount Yongdusan.

5. Gwangalli Beach & Diamond Bridge

From the high-octane car chase in Marvel’s Black Panther to romantic seaside night scenes in Now, We Are Breaking Up and D.P., Gwangalli Beach is Busan’s ultimate night backdrop. Characters come here to drink cold beer on the sand while gazing at the glowing suspension bridge spanning the bay.

Gwangalli is famous for its fine sand, trendy oceanfront cafes, and the spectacular 7.4-kilometer Gwangan Bridge (Diamond Bridge). Every Saturday night, the beach hosts a massive permanent LED drone light show over the water, making it a favorite gathering spot for locals and travelers alike.

How to get there

Take Busan Subway Line 2 to Gwangan Station (Exit 3 or 5). Walk down Gwangan-ro directly toward the water for about 10 minutes, and the beach will open up right in front of you.

Make a Day of It

Busan is geographically large, so trying to cross from Gijang in the north to Yeongdo in the south on the same morning will burn through your travel day. Organize your filming location tour into geographic clusters:

• Day 1: Yeongdo & Nampo-dong Cluster — Morning at Huinnyeoul Culture Village, followed by lunch at Jagalchi Market (try fresh raw fish or grilled fish platters). Spend the afternoon browsing Bosdong Book Street and eating hot Ssiat Hotteok (seed-stuffed sweet pancakes) in BIFF Square. Finish with hot Dwaeji Gukbap (pork rice soup) in Nampo-dong.
• Day 2: Haeundae & Gijang Cluster — Head early to Ahopsan Forest while the bamboo path is quiet. Afterwards, take a short taxi south to Cheongsapo for a lunch of grilled clams or sea urchin bibimbap. End your afternoon riding the Haeundae Blueline Park Beach Train, then watch the sunset and bridge lights at Gwangalli Beach.

Photo Tips

Capturing the cinematic feeling of these busan kdrama filming locations requires timing and the right perspective:

• Ahopsan Forest: Arrive right when it opens at 9:00 AM. Sunlight filters through the dense upper canopy at an angle, creating long light beams across the dirt path. Angle your camera low to the ground pointing upward to emphasize the towering height of the bamboo stalks.
• Huinnyeoul Culture Village: Visit during golden hour (an hour before sunset). Frame your photo through the Huinnyeoul Coastal Tunnel entrance to capture your silhouette against the shimmering ocean background.
• Cheongsapo Railroad Crosswalk: Stand slightly up the hill on the sidewalk facing the sea. Wait for the green or blue Beach Train to enter the frame as it crosses the road, with the ocean filling the upper third of your photo. Always stay safely on designated pedestrian sidewalks.

FAQ

Are these Busan filming locations easily accessible using public transport?

Yes. Busan has an excellent, English-friendly subway and city bus system. Major spots like Gwangalli Beach, Jagalchi Market, and Huinnyeoul are directly accessible via subway or a short city bus ride. Remote spots like Ahopsan Forest are easiest reached by combining the subway with a short local bus or taxi ride.

Do I need to buy tickets or pay entry fees for these drama locations?

Public areas like Huinnyeoul Culture Village, Gwangalli Beach, Cheongsapo, and Jagalchi Market are completely free to walk around. Ahopsan Forest is a privately preserved property and charges a small admission fee at the entrance gate (around 5,000 KRW, cash or local card). Always verify operating hours before heading out.

Are visitors allowed into the residential areas shown in dramas?

Yes, but with strict courtesy. Places like Huinnyeoul Culture Village are actual living communities where local residents reside. Keep conversations quiet, refrain from looking directly into private doorways or windows, take trash with you, and stick to clearly marked public walking trails.

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