King the Land Filming Locations in Seoul to Visit

When Lee Jun-ho and Im Yoon-ah lit up the screen in King the Land, every K-drama fan living in Seoul immediately recognized how brilliantly the production team blended modern Gangnam luxury with classic Seoul charm. Playing heir Gu Won and top hotelier Cheon Sa-rang, the duo made even simple walking scenes feel like high-end romance, drawing millions of global viewers into their sparkling world.

What makes visiting these filming locations so satisfying for international travelers is that almost all of the iconic Seoul spots are incredibly accessible. Whether you want to experience the towering elegance of a VVIP hotel lobby, catch a sweeping night view over the Han River, or stroll down classic stone-walled paths, you can easily build an itinerary around the drama without traveling far outside the city center. Here is your local guide to the best real-life King the Land filming locations in Seoul, complete with practical transit routes and local tips.

1. Josun Palace, Gangnam

In the drama, the ultra-luxurious VVIP atmosphere of the fictional King Hotel is built from a few select real-world high-end properties in Seoul. Among them, Josun Palace in Gangnam provided the soaring art-deco interiors, gleaming marble hallways, and sophisticated aesthetic that defined Gu Won’s workplace and lifestyle. The grand entrance and elevated lounge spaces give you an immediate sense of stepping right onto the set of the show.

In real life, Josun Palace is one of Seoul’s premier luxury hotels, situated in the bustling heart of Yeoksam-dong. It occupies the upper floors of the Centerfield complex, offering panoramic views of Gangnam’s skyline along with fine dining and elegant afternoon tea service. While hotel rooms and private guest floors are restricted to staying guests, non-guests can visit the lounge, restaurant spaces, or publicly accessible lobby areas for a taste of the show’s signature luxury.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 2 to Yeoksam Station. Head out of Exit 8 and walk straight along Teheran-ro for approximately five minutes. The entrance to the Centerfield building housing Josun Palace will be on your left. Always make sure to double-check opening hours for public dining venues if you plan to visit for tea or coffee.

2. Eungbongsan Park Octagonal Pavilion

One of the most memorable emotional scenes in King the Land takes place against a shimmering ocean of city lights. Gu Won and Sa-rang sit together at a wooden pavilion overlooking the Han River, sharing quiet conversation while the city glows below them. That breathtaking panoramic view was filmed at the top of Eungbongsan Mountain in eastern Seoul.

Eungbongsan is actually a modest hill rising above the Han River, famous among local photographers for its spectacular night views of Dongho Bridge and Seongsu Bridge. At the peak stands a traditional wooden octagonal pavilion (Palgajang). During spring, the entire hill is covered in vibrant yellow forsythia flowers, making it a favorite spot for locals year-round, though its nighttime charm is what truly captured the romantic essence of the drama.

How to Get There

Take the Gyeongui-Jungang Line to Eungbong Station and leave through Exit 1. From the exit, follow the signs leading toward the Eungbongsan mountain trail. The climb takes about fifteen to twenty minutes along a combination of paved slopes and wooden stairs. The trail is well-lit at night, but comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended.

3. Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway (Doldam-gil)

No romantic Seoul drama is complete without a scene along a stone-walled path, and King the Land utilized one of the most famous walkways in South Korea. Sa-rang and Gu Won share a peaceful, lingering stroll past historic stone walls and overhanging trees, capturing a quiet pause in their busy hotel lives.

This iconic spot is Deoksugung Doldam-gil, a pedestrian-friendly street that runs along the outer boundary wall of Deoksugung Palace in Jeong-dong, Jung-gu. Rich in modern Korean history, the path is framed by historic red-brick buildings, cozy cafes, and lush foliage that changes dramatically with the seasons. Autumn is particularly magical when the ginkgo trees turn brilliant gold, casting warm light across the traditional gray stone bricks.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 1 or Line 2 to City Hall Station. Take Exit 1 or Exit 12, both of which emerge right near the main entrance of Deoksugung Palace. Turn onto the stone-paved walkway running along the right side of the palace wall to begin your walk.

4. Seokchon Lake Park

During the lighter, early-dating phase of Gu Won and Sa-rang’s relationship, several charming outdoor scenes showcase leafy lakeside walks and modern city backdrops. These moments were filmed around Seokchon Lake, located right beside Lotte World in Songpa-gu.

Seokchon Lake is split into an East Lake and West Lake, surrounded by a long tree-shaded walking track, public artwork installations, and views of the towering Lotte World Tower. It is one of Seoul’s premier leisure parks, offering a vibrant atmosphere filled with street performers, cozy cafes along the rim, and gorgeous water reflections at sunset. Because it is an open public park, you can freely explore the exact footpaths seen on screen at any time of day.

How to Get There

Take Subway Line 2 or Line 8 to Jamsil Station. Use Exit 2 or Exit 3 and walk straight for about three minutes until you reach the lake entrance. You can easily loop around both sides of the lake on foot.

Make a Day of It

To maximize your time in Seoul, you can group these King the Land spots into convenient neighborhood clusters. Connecting these locations with nearby local food and culture gives you a full day of drama-inspired exploration without spending hours riding the subway.

Neighborhood	Drama Filming Location	Nearby Must-Visit Spot
Gangnam	Josun Palace Hotel	Starfield Library at COEX
Seongdong-gu	Eungbongsan Pavilion	Seongsu-dong Cafe Street
Jung-gu	Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway	Gwanghwamun Square & Bukchon

Here is how to structure a smooth, full-day itinerary based on these locations:

• Morning in Jung-gu: Start your day with a morning walk down Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway while the path is calm and quiet. Grab a traditional street snack or a warm latte at a local Jeong-dong cafe, then head inside Deoksugung Palace to explore its unique blend of traditional Korean halls and modern Western-style architecture.
• Afternoon in Seongsu & Gangnam: Take Subway Line 2 over to Seongsu-dong, Seoul’s trendsetting warehouse neighborhood. Have lunch at a trendy local eatery and explore boutique pop-up shops. Afterwards, take Line 2 down to Yeoksam Station to view the sleek, modern elegance around Josun Palace and Gangnam’s high-rise district.
• Evening at Eungbongsan: Finish your day by taking a short taxi ride or transit trip to Eungbongsan. Hike up to the pavilion just before twilight to watch the sun set over the Han River and see the city light up, mimicking the drama’s beautiful night shot.

Photo Tips

To recreate the exact romantic aesthetic seen in King the Land, timing and angles are everything. Here is how to capture the best photos at each featured location:

• Eungbongsan Pavilion: Arrive roughly twenty minutes before sunset. Position yourself on the wooden observation deck just below the octagonal pavilion, angling your camera southwest. This frames the traditional pavilion roof on one side while capturing the sweeping curve of the Han River and its illuminated bridges in the background.
• Deoksugung Doldam-gil: Shoot from a low-to-mid angle looking down the curved path. Use a shallow depth of field so the texture of the stone wall remains crisp while the distance softly blurs, giving your photo a gentle, dramatic mood. Early morning hours offer the cleanest shots without large crowds.
• Josun Palace Exterior/Lobby: Focus on symmetry. The interior architecture relies heavily on high ceilings and geometric lines. Stand near the central walkways and shoot upward using a wide-angle lens setting on your phone to convey scale and luxury. Always be mindful of hotel guests and avoid taking photos in private check-in areas.

FAQ

Are these King the Land locations free to visit?

Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway, Eungbongsan Park, and Seokchon Lake Park are public spaces completely free to access 24/7. Josun Palace is a private luxury hotel; while public lobby and dining areas are open, please be respectful and check advance reservation requirements for their lounge or dining venues.

What is the best time of year to visit these spots?

Autumn (October to November) and spring (April to May) are ideal. Autumn brings rich yellow and red leaves along Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway, while spring covers Eungbongsan Hill in yellow forsythia and surrounds Seokchon Lake with cherry blossoms.

How far apart are these locations from each other?

Deoksugung is located in central Seoul (Jung-gu), while Eungbongsan is slightly east, and Josun Palace is south in Gangnam. Traveling between central spots like Deoksugung and Gangnam takes about 25 to 35 minutes via Subway Line 2, making them quick and inexpensive to hop between in a single day.

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