While You Were Sleeping Filming Locations in Korea

Capturing the Dreamlike Backdrops of While You Were Sleeping

A dusted blanket of spring cherry blossoms falling onto a quiet park bench, or a sharp winter wind sweeping across snow-covered wind turbines in the mountains. While You Were Sleeping succeeded because it took everyday Korean landscapes and turned them into fate-bound, dreamlike spaces. Starring Lee Jong-suk as prosecutor Nam Jae-chan, Bae Suzy as field reporter Nam Hong-joo, and Jung Hae-in as police officer Han Woo-tak, this 2017 fantasy legal romance captured hearts worldwide with its interconnected premonitions and warm character dynamics.

For travelers planning a trip around their favorite shows, tracing the steps of the three dream-seeing protagonists offers a wonderful way to experience South Korea. The production team leaned heavily into real, accessible urban parks, coastal highlands, and peaceful wetlands across Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and Gangwon Province. Here is a detailed field guide to the most famous while you were sleeping locations you can easily add to your Korea itinerary.

Gyeongui Line Forest Trail (Yeonnam-dong Section)

This lush green corridor in western Seoul serves as the backdrop for several memorable daytime walks and evening conversations. In the drama, Jae-chan and Hong-joo often walk along tree-lined park paths near their neighborhood, discussing their overlapping premonitions while waiting for the morning bus or returning home at dusk.

In real life, the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail is an urban linear park built over abandoned railway tracks. Local residents affectionately call the Yeonnam-dong section “Yeontral Park” due to its resemblance to New York’s Central Park on a smaller, neighborhood scale. Spanning across Mapo-gu, this stretch is beloved for its open grassy patches, shallow streamways, and vibrant line of indie cafes, bakeries, and craft shops lining both sides of the park.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 2, the Airport Railroad (AREX), or the Gyeongui-Jungang Line to Hongik University Station. Take Exit 3, which leads directly onto the start of the Yeonnam-dong section of the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail. Walk north along the green path to find the grassy areas and tree-shaded walking corridors seen throughout the show.

Ansan Reed Marsh Park

This peaceful wetland area appears during pivotal emotional moments in the series, featuring golden autumn grasses, wooden boardwalks, and wide open skies. The production crew utilized the quiet, reflective atmosphere of the park to visually emphasize the reflective and premonitory dream sequences shared between the main characters.

In reality, Ansan Reed Marsh Park (Ansan Galdae Seobji Gongwon) is an eco-friendly artificial wetland constructed to naturally purify the water flowing into Lake Sihwa. Located in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, the park spans extensive reed fields, observation decks, and winding wooden walkways where visitors can spot migratory birds and native plant species. It is a peaceful escape from the concrete skyline of greater Seoul.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 4 or the Suin-Bundang Line to Gojan Station or Sari Station. From Gojan Station Exit 2, take local Bus 55 or a quick 15-minute taxi ride directly to the main entrance of Ansan Reed Marsh Park. Note that operating hours vary seasonally, so check local city tourism updates before heading out.

Daegwallyeong Samyang Roundhill (Samyang Ranch)

One of the most visually stunning filming spots in the drama is the dramatic, open highland pasture featured in key winter sequences. Standing among towering white wind turbines on snow-dusted green grass, Jae-chan and Hong-joo share moments that feel entirely removed from the hectic pace of Seoul city life.

Located in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, Daegwallyeong Samyang Roundhill is the largest highland green pasture in Asia. Sitting high above sea level, the farm features vast rolling hills, grazing livestock in warmer months, and giant wind generators that line the crest of the ridges. It is a famous filming site not only for While You Were Sleeping, but for numerous classic K-dramas, films, and music videos over the past two decades.

How to Get There

Take the KTX High-Speed Rail from Seoul Station or Cheongnyangni Station to Jinbu Station (or Gangneung Station). From Jinbu Station, take a local intercity bus or taxi to Hoenggye Bus Terminal. From Hoenggye, the most convenient option is taking a 15-minute taxi directly to the Samyang Roundhill main entrance gate. Shuttle buses operate within the ranch during peak seasons to help visitors travel up to the higher peaks.

Songdo Central Park

The modern, sleek legal district setting in the show features gleaming glass skyscrapers, wide pedestrian bridges, and reflective urban waterways. Several evening strolls and long talks between Jae-chan, Hong-joo, and Woo-tak were shot around the clean, futuristic promenade surrounding Songdo’s central waterfront.

Songdo Central Park is a public park located in the Songdo International Business District of Incheon. Inspired by NYC’s Central Park, it was constructed inside South Korea’s first smart city project and features seawater canals fed directly from the ocean. Visitors can ride water taxis, rent kayaks, walk along themed garden paths, or admire the striking contrast between traditional Korean architecture at the nearby Hanok Village and ultra-modern skyscrapers.

How to Get There

Take the Incheon Subway Line 1 to Central Park Station and head out through Exit 4. The exit leads directly into Songdo Central Park. If traveling from central Seoul, you can take the M6405 express bus from Gangnam Station, which goes directly to the Songdo Central Park area in roughly one hour depending on traffic.

Make a Day of It

Maximizing your trip to these filming spots is easy when you pair them with nearby culinary and cultural attractions. Korea’s transit system makes combining filming locations with local neighborhood exploration smooth and enjoyable.

When visiting the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail in Yeonnam-dong, pair your drama pilgrimage with a café hopping tour. Yeonnam-dong is widely considered one of Seoul’s top food and dessert districts. Walk down the narrow alleys branching off from the main park trail to discover specialized drip coffee bars, bakeries serving fresh salt bread, and cozy pasta spots. In the late afternoon, grab a picnic mat from a local convenience store, pick up fresh takeout sandwiches, and sit on the grass like a true Seoulite.

If you head out to Songdo Central Park in Incheon, extend your trip by visiting the Songdo Hanok Village located directly inside the park grounds. The complex houses high-end traditional Korean restaurants and peaceful tea houses built in traditional architectural styles. In the evening, walk over to the nearby Triple Street or Songdo Hyundai Premium Outlets for open-air shopping and casual dining options ranging from Korean fried chicken to traditional stew spots.

Photo Tips for Fans

To capture photos that mirror the dreamy atmosphere of While You Were Sleeping, timing and positioning are everything:

• Yeonnam-dong Forest Trail: Aim for early morning (around 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM) on weekdays. This allows you to snap clean photos along the green tree arches before local crowds gather for lunch picnics. If visiting in spring, frame your shot looking up through the cherry blossom canopy toward the park benches.
• Ansan Reed Marsh Park: Visit during the golden hour, roughly 60 to 90 minutes before sunset during late autumn. The low afternoon sun hits the tall golden reeds, creating a warm, natural lens flare similar to the drama’s cinematography. Position yourself on the wooden boardwalk paths facing west.
• Daegwallyeong Samyang Roundhill: Stand at the East Asia Lookout point near the top of the ranch. Frame your shot with the large white wind turbines positioned on the ridge line behind you while looking slightly downhill. Dress in vibrant colors (like Hong-joo’s red coat or bright knits) to contrast against the white snow or green grass.
• Songdo Central Park: Night photography works best here. Position yourself on the main pedestrian bridge over the canal around 30 minutes after sunset during blue hour. The illuminated skyscrapers reflect on the calm water surface, mimicking the crisp night scenes from the drama.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these While You Were Sleeping locations free to visit?

Gyeongui Line Forest Trail in Seoul and Songdo Central Park in Incheon are public urban parks with free entry 24/7. Ansan Reed Marsh Park is also free to enter, though access hours are restricted to day time. Daegwallyeong Samyang Roundhill is a private agricultural pasture and requires an admission ticket at the gate. Always verify operating hours and admission rules online before your visit.

What is the best season to visit these K-drama spots?

Spring (April to May) and late Autumn (October to November) are ideal. Spring offers cherry blossoms along the Yeonnam-dong trail, while Autumn brings pleasant weather and golden reed beds in Ansan. If you want to recreate the snowy mountain landscapes from Samyang Roundhill, plan your visit between December and early February.

Can I visit all of these filming locations in a single day?

It is not recommended to visit all four in one day due to travel distances. Gyeongui Line Forest Trail and Songdo Central Park can be combined into a single Seoul-Incheon day trip. However, Daegwallyeong Samyang Roundhill in Gangwon Province requires a dedicated full-day trip due to KTX rail travel and mountain transport timings.

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