Walk the Seoul City Wall: Naksan Park KDrama Spots

Naksan Park Central Observatory and City Wall Trail

In Because This Is My First Life, Nam Se-hee and Yoon Ji-ho take quiet evening walks along this stone trail as their pragmatic apartment-sharing arrangement turns into genuine affection. More recently in Doctor Slump, Nam Ha-neul and Yeo Jeong-woo lean against these centuries-old battlements, gazing at the sprawling city lights while working through professional burnout and emotional healing.

In real life, this elevated walking path forms part of Hanyangdoseong, the historic Seoul City Wall built during the Joseon Dynasty to defend the capital. Mount Naksan takes its name from the Korean word for camel ("nak-ta") due to its rounded ridge profile. Today, the restored stone battlements offer a romantic, elevated walk above the city. The park is completely free and open year-round, serving as one of the best night-view platforms in central Seoul.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 4 to Hyehwa Station and exit through Exit 2. Walk through Marronnier Park, turn left onto Naksan-gil, and follow the uphill road for roughly 15 minutes until you reach the park’s central summit plaza and stone wall trail.

Ihwa Mural Village Overlook

In Encounter, Cha Soo-hyun and Kim Jin-hyuk wander past colorful neighborhood artwork and quiet hilltop terraces during their dates in Seoul. The area also appears in Record of Youth, setting the tone for contemplative late-night walks through classic hillside residential streets.

Ihwa Mural Village is situated on the steep slopes directly below Naksan Park. Originally a aging hillside neighborhood, local art initiatives added wall paintings, iron sculptures, and small cafes along the stairs. While several painted staircases have been restored or changed over time to protect local residential privacy, the stone alleys, local craft shops, and wide cityscape view remain charming. Because local residents live here, visitors should be respectful, keep noise to a minimum, and refrain from taking photos directly into residential windows.

How to Get There

From the upper plaza of Naksan Park, walk down the southern pedestrian path following the signs toward Ihwa Mural Village. The stroll downhill takes about five to seven minutes.

Daehak-ro Naksan Hill Staircases

In Fight for My Way, Dong-man and Ae-ra navigate the shift from lifelong friends to something more while walking up and down these steep urban steps after long work shifts. In True Beauty, these same granite steps set the stage for quiet evening conversations and youthful banter near the local theater quarter.

These granite stairways form the main pedestrian link between the energetic university theater district of Daehak-ro and the peaceful height of Naksan Park. Lined with indie theater posters, brick walls, and warm streetlamps, the steps give film crews a dramatic gradient that frames characters against background city lights.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 4 to Hyehwa Station, Exit 2. Walk past the Arko Arts Center toward Daehak-ro 8ga-gil, turning right onto the stair paths heading up the hill toward the Naksan perimeter.

Heunginjimun Park and Dongdaemun Wall Ridge

In Find Me in Your Memory and Healer, this sloping section of the wall provides panoramic night shots where characters look toward the illuminated Dongdaemun Gate and the futuristic curved outline of Dongdaemun Design Plaza in the distance.

Located at the southern foot of the Naksan segment of the city wall, Heunginjimun Park features a grassy hillside where the historic fortification winds down to meet Heunginjimun Gate. The sharp contrast between 600-year-old stone, open park space, and hyper-modern surrounding buildings makes this a favorite location for television directors capturing the modern spirit of Seoul.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 1 or Line 4 to Dongdaemun Station, Exit 1. Walk straight out toward Heunginjimun Park, where the stone city wall rises up the hill toward Naksan Park.

Make a Day of It

To experience these naksan park kdrama spots like a local, build a relaxed afternoon and evening itinerary around the Hyehwa and Dongdaemun districts.

Start in the early afternoon around Hyehwa Station in Daehak-ro, Seoul’s theater heartland home to over 100 small playhouses. Enjoy lunch at a local eatery serving hand-cut noodles (kalguksu) or braised short ribs (galbi-jjim), followed by coffee at a renovated traditional house cafe in the nearby alleys.

Around 4:30 PM, head uphill toward Ihwa Mural Village. Spend an hour browsing tiny craft shops and sitting at an open-air terrace cafe with an iced Americano. As twilight approaches, continue up to Naksan Park and the Seoul City Wall just as the sky turns deep blue.

Trail Section	Est. Walking Time	Highlight
Hyehwa Stn to Naksan Summit	20-25 mins	Marronnier Park & Hillside Slopes
Naksan Summit to Ihwa Village	10 mins	Murals & Hillside Terraces
Naksan Ridge to Dongdaemun Gate	25-30 mins	Lit Stone Wall & Night Skyline

Conclude your walk by following the lit fortress wall downhill to Dongdaemun Station. By the time you reach Heunginjimun Park, the entire wall is illuminated by soft warm spotlights. Wrap up your day with a hot pot of whole chicken stew (dak-hanmaru) in the nearby Dongdaemun food alleys.

Photo Tips

Timing makes all the difference when photographing the Seoul City Wall. Plan to arrive on the ridge 20 to 30 minutes before sunset. This lets you catch the warm golden light on the stone battlements before the sky transitions into deep navy blue and the wall spotlights turn on.

For the classic K-drama frame, stand on the outer wall trail near the hilltop pavilion. Position your travel companion on the inner path so the curving stone wall wraps around them with the flickering city lights of Daehak-ro spread out below. Using portrait mode on your phone or a wider lens aperture will soft-focus the distant streetlamps into a realistic background glow.

FAQ

Is Naksan Park open late at night?

Yes, Naksan Park and the Seoul City Wall walking trail are open 24 hours a day with free admission. However, the architectural lights illuminating the fortress wall generally turn off around 11:00 PM, so visit during the early evening hours for the best lit scenery.

Is the walk up to Naksan Park physically demanding?

The walk involves continuous uphill slopes and stone stairs, but it is manageable for most people wearing comfortable sneakers. If you wish to skip the climb, take Jongno Village Bus 03 from Hyehwa Station or Dongdaemun Station directly to the top plaza of Naksan Park.

Can I visit Ihwa Mural Village and Naksan Park together?

Yes, Ihwa Mural Village is directly adjacent to the park on its southern slope. You can easily stroll through the village artwork on your way up to or down from the main city wall trail within 10 to 15 minutes.

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