K-drama University Spots Seoul: 4 Iconic Campus Locations

Step Into Your Favorite Campus K-Dramas in Seoul

Walking through the ivy-draped archway of Underwood Hall on a crisp October afternoon feels less like strolling across a working Seoul university and more like stepping straight into a youth drama scene. Korea’s top higher education campuses are world-famous among directors for their cinematic charm. From red-brick gothic arches and grand marble staircases to tranquil lakes lined with weeping willows, these grounds provide the backdrop for iconic coming-of-age stories, romantic fantasy thrillers, and tender college romances.

For international fans traveling to Korea, exploring these university campuses offers a rare double benefit: you get to stand in the exact footsteps of your favorite screen characters while experiencing genuine Korean youth culture firsthand. Surrounding each of these institutions are bustling college towns filled with budget-friendly street eats, aesthetic study cafes, vintage clothing shops, and late-night photo booths. If you want to plan an unforgettable pilgrimage centered around K-drama university spots Seoul, these four historic locations belong on your travel itinerary.

Yonsei University: The Iconic Ivy-Covered Quad

In Extraordinary You, comic book character Eun Dan-oh navigates her sudden self-awareness along the stone arcades of Yonsei University, while in True Beauty, Jugyeong and Su-ho encounter pivotal moments across these same historic paths. Show directors consistently select Yonsei when they need a setting that feels timeless, prestigious, and deeply atmospheric.

In real life, Yonsei University’s Sinchon campus is one of Korea’s oldest and most prestigious private universities. The heart of its media fame is Underwood Hall and the surrounding quadrangle, where historic granite buildings wrapped in vibrant green ivy enclose a perfectly manicured lawn and bronze statue. Walking up the main central pedestrian boulevard, Baekyang-ro, gives you an immediate sense of the expansive scale and academic tradition that draws filmmakers year after year.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 2 to Sinchon Station and head out through Exit 2 or Exit 3. Walk straight up Yonsei-ro—a lively pedestrian-friendly street—for about 10 to 12 minutes until you arrive at the university’s main entrance gate. From the main gate, walk straight down the central paved avenue (Baekyang-ro) for approximately five minutes until you reach the central courtyard and Underwood Hall on your left.

Konkuk University: Lakeside Romance and Serene Walks

In Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God), Ji Eun-tak meets her college baseball crush Tae-hee right by the edge of campus, prompting a hilariously jealous Kim Shin to wander nearby holding a bat. The broad water reflection and tree-lined walkways give these scenes an open, reflective mood that fans instantly recognize.

The location behind these moments is Konkuk University, located in eastern Seoul’s Gwangjin district. Unlike the steep hillside layouts of many Seoul campuses, Konkuk features a flat, accessible layout dominated by Ilgamho, a large natural lake sitting directly in the middle of campus. Wooden walkways, footbridges, stone benches, and resident ducks turn this campus into an urban oasis that feels miles away from the city’s frantic pace.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 2 or Line 7 to Konkuk University Station and use Exit 2 or Exit 3. Turn into Neungdong-ro and walk toward the main campus entrance gate, which takes about three minutes. Once inside the main gate, walk northeast toward the center of campus for five minutes to reach the shores of Ilgamho Lake.

Kyung Hee University: European Gothic Campus Magic

In Record of Youth, Sa Hye-jun walks past dramatic cathedral-like towers during pivotal moments of personal growth, while Love Alarm uses sweeping stone steps to accentuate emotional high-school-to-college transformations. The grandeur of the architecture instantly gives any scene an elevated, romantic quality.

Located in Dongdaemun-gu, Kyung Hee University is renowned nationwide for having one of the most visually stunning campuses in East Asia. Built in neoclassical and Gothic revival styles, the campus features towering stone columns, sculpted fountains, and the breathtaking Grand Peace Palace—a massive concert hall modeled after medieval European cathedrals. During autumn, golden ginkgo trees frame the grey stone facades, creating a stark, beautiful contrast that draws travelers and local photographers alike.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 1 or the Gyeongui-Jungang Line to Hoegi Station and leave via Exit 1. From there, you can either walk up Hoegi-ro for about 15 minutes to reach the main gate, or hop on Dongdaemun Maeul (local neighborhood) Bus 01 directly outside Exit 1, which drops you off directly at the Kyung Hee University campus bus stop inside the grounds.

SeoulTech: The Sports Grounds of Youth Drama

In Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, Bok-joo and Joon-hyung share athletic banter, emotional breakthroughs, and romantic realization across open sports fields, brick instructional halls, and shady campus lanes. The open layout and classic brick structures lend the production a warm, nostalgic feeling that captures the ideal college experience.

In reality, these scenes were filmed on the sprawling campus of Seoul National University of Science and Technology (known locally as SeoulTech) in Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu. Formerly home to historic engineering institutes, the campus blends preserved mid-century modern brick structures, such as Daewon Hall, with sprawling green sports facilities and calm pine-lined pathways. It remains far less crowded with tourists than Sinchon or Hongdae campuses, offering an authentic glimpse into everyday Korean student life.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 7 to Gongneung Station (SeoulTech Station) and take Exit 1 or Exit 2. From the station exit, you can take local Maeul Bus Nowon 03 or walk straight down Gongneung-ro for about 12 to 15 minutes until you see the expansive front entrance of the university campus.

Plan Your Visit

Note: Please verify hours, visitor access rules, and transit lines before visiting.

Campus / Line	Time Needed	Budget Range
Yonsei (Sinchon, Line 2)	1.5–2.5 hours	Free (Food/Cafe: ₩5,000–₩15,000)
Konkuk (Kondae, Line 2/7)	1.5–2 hours	Free (Food/Cafe: ₩5,000–₩15,000)
Kyung Hee (Hoegi, Line 1)	1.5–2 hours	Free (Food/Cafe: ₩5,000–₩15,000)
SeoulTech (Gongneung, Line 7)	1–2 hours	Free (Food/Cafe: ₩5,000–₩15,000)

Campus Fan Checklist

• Suggested Route Order: Start at the main gate, walk up the main central boulevard or lake promenade, stop at key filming spots (e.g., Underwood Hall, Ilgamho Lake, Grand Peace Palace, or Daewon Hall), and end in the surrounding college town.
• Respect Academic Life: Keep noise levels down around active lecture halls and libraries, particularly during midterms and finals season.
• Mind Campus Etiquette: Stick to public outdoor paths and refrain from entering restricted faculty or academic facilities without approval.
• Support Local Towns: Enjoy student-friendly street food, local roasteries, and indie shops in the adjacent neighborhood.

Make a Day of It: Youth Culture, Street Food, and Cafes

Visiting a college filming site in Seoul is only half the fun—the surrounding college towns (known as daehak-ga) offer some of the best energy, dining, and shopping in the entire metropolis. Because these neighborhoods cater directly to university students on a budget, you can enjoy exceptional food and entertainment at lower prices than primary tourist centers like Myeongdong.

• Sinchon & Hongdae (Near Yonsei): After exploring Underwood Hall, walk back down Yonsei-ro into Sinchon. Grab a sizzling pan of dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken with rice cakes and cheese) at a local eatery, try a coin karaoke booth (noraebang), or walk 15 minutes west to Hongdae for indie boutiques, live street music buskers, and photo booths.
• Kondae Area (Near Konkuk): Exit the peaceful lake paths into the energetic Kondae Taste Street (Kondae Mat-jib Alley). This area is famous for trendy dessert spots, Korean BBQ joints, and the nearby Lamb Skewer Alley. Don’t miss Common Ground, a creative shopping complex built entirely out of blue shipping containers located just a short walk from campus.
• Gongneung-dong (Near SeoulTech): After exploring the sports fields, cross over into Gongneung-dong Cafe Street (often called Gong-neat-gil). Built alongside a converted linear forest railway park, this quiet neighborhood is filled with converted home cafes, specialty roasters, and bakeries serving hand-drip coffee and seasonal tarts.

Campus Area	Signature Vibe	Food / Cafe Highlight
Sinchon (Yonsei)	Classic High Energy	Spicy Dakgalbi & Noraebang
Kondae (Konkuk)	Lively & Nightlife-Focused	Lamb Skewers & Dessert Cafes
Gongneung (SeoulTech)	Chill Local Neighborhood	Hand-Drip Coffee & Bakeries

Key Takeaways

• Cinematic Architectural Variety: Seoul’s universities range from Yonsei’s ivy quads and Kyung Hee’s gothic palaces to Konkuk’s central lake and SeoulTech’s nostalgic sports grounds.
• Dual Travel Value: Visiting these campuses lets you walk through filming locations for Goblin, True Beauty, Extraordinary You, and Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo while experiencing real Korean student culture.
• Budget-Friendly College Towns: Surrounding daehak-ga districts offer affordable dining, unique cafes, and shopping within steps of convenient subway stops.
• Mindful Exploration: Verify visitor entry policies beforehand and observe basic campus etiquette to respect current students during your visit.

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