Visiting The Outlaws Filming Locations in Garibong Seoul

The Raw Energy Behind Seoul’s Iconic Crime Thriller

Step off the subway at Namguro Station, and the shift in atmosphere is instant. Red lanterns sway outside Chinese grocery stores, shopfront signs are printed in bold Mandarin characters, and the rich, mouth-numbing scent of toasted Sichuan peppercorns fills the air. This distinct pocket of southwestern Seoul provided the backdrop for the iconic 2017 hit action film The Outlaws, starring Ma Dong-seok (Don Lee) as the powerhouse Detective Ma Seok-do and Yoon Kye-sang as the ruthless gang leader Jang Chen.

When the film shattered box office records, it was not just the legendary slaps delivered by Ma Dong-seok that captured the imagination of cinema fans worldwide. It was the movie’s authentic setting. Garibong-dong and neighboring Daelim-dong were depicted not as glossy, camera-ready tourist hubs, but as vibrant, working-class neighborhoods brimming with history and local character. For fans who want to walk the same streets where Detective Ma kept the peace, visiting these real-world locations offers a fascinatng look at a side of Seoul rarely featured in standard travel brochures.

Before planning your itinerary, keep in mind that these locations are active residential and commercial areas. Visiting with an open mind, an appetite for fantastic regional food, and respect for the local community will make your pilgrimage both memorable and rewarding.

Garibong Traditional Market and Surrounding Alleyways

In The Outlaws, Garibong Market serves as the epicenter of Detective Ma’s daily beat. Early in the film, Ma Seok-do casually strolls past vibrant market stalls, grabbing snacks from vendors while effortlessly defusing tensions between local rival gang members without ever drawing a weapon.

In reality, Garibong Traditional Market is a historic neighborhood market deep within Guro-gu. During Korea’s rapid economic expansion in the 1970s and 1980s, the nearby Guro Industrial Complex drew thousands of factory workers to this area. As manufacturing shifted over time, the neighborhood welcomed Korean-Chinese (Joseonjok) immigrants and foreign workers, transforming Garibong into a unique multicultural enclave. Today, the market features stalls selling fresh produce, traditional Korean side dishes, and authentic ethnic Chinese spices, street snacks, and dry goods.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 7 to Namguro Station and leave via Exit 3 or Exit 4. Walk straight for approximately five minutes along Garibong-gil until you reach the main entrance of Garibong Traditional Market. Because this is a residential shopping district, please maintain a quiet demeanor, avoid blocking narrow alleyways, and always ask permission before taking close-up photos of stall owners or shoppers.

Daelim-dong Chinatown

While much of the fictional story centers on Garibong, several exterior street shots and atmospheric neighborhood scenes from The Outlaws were filmed across the district line in neighboring Daelim-dong. The neon-drenched streets, crowded eateries, and bustling evening foot traffic in Daelim-dong provided the exact visual texture needed to establish the film’s tense, urban thriller mood.

Daelim-dong is widely recognized as Seoul’s largest Chinatown. Located just one subway stop away from Garibong, the main thoroughfares around Daelim Station feature dozens of specialized restaurants serving northern Chinese specialties, hand-pulled noodles, spicy hot pots, and charcoal-grilled lamb skewers. Walking down the main street of Daelim Central Market feels completely different from popular tourist zones like Myeongdong or Hongdae, making it a favorite spot for film location scouts seeking grit and authenticity.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 2 or Line 7 to Daelim Station. Head toward Exit 12, which opens directly onto Daelim-dong’s primary commercial street (Digital-ro 27-gil). The market area extends along the alleyways running parallel to the main road.

Gimpo International Airport Terminal

The climax of The Outlaws builds toward a thrilling confrontation at an airport, where Detective Ma traps Jang Chen inside a public restroom before their final showdown. While the interior bathroom fight was filmed on a movie studio soundstage built specifically to accommodate heavy stunt choreography, the broader exterior sequences, terminal corridors, and departure gate atmospheres reflect the real layout of Gimpo International Airport.

Gimpo Airport is Seoul’s primary hub for domestic flights and short-haul international routes to destinations like Tokyo, Shanghai, and Taipei. Located in western Seoul, its modern, spacious terminal concourses offer a striking aesthetic contrast to the tight, crowded alleyways of Garibong-dong seen throughout the rest of the film.

How to Get There

Gimpo International Airport is exceptionally easy to reach via public transit. Take the AREX (Airport Railroad Express), Subway Line 5, Subway Line 9, or the Gimpo Goldline directly to Gimpo Int’l Airport Station. The station connects seamlessly to both the International and Domestic terminals via underground walkways.

Make a Day of It

Exploring the locations from The Outlaws takes about half a day, leaving plenty of time to experience the food and shopping highlights nearby. Turn your film tour into a full day out with these local recommendations:

• Sample Authentic Regional Dishes: Garibong and Daelim are among the best places in Seoul for authentic Korean-Chinese cuisine. Try yangkkochi (charcoal-grilled lamb skewers spiced with cumin and chili), mala xiang guo (spicy stir-fried hot pot), or jianbing (crispy savory Chinese crepes sold at street stalls).
• Shop at Gasan Digital Complex: Just one station away from Namguro on Line 7 (or a 15-minute walk from Garibong Market), Gasan Digital Complex has transformed from an industrial factory hub into a major outlet shopping district. Malls like Mario Outlet, W-Mall, and Hyundai City Outlet offer discounted global and Korean fashion brands.
• Relax along the Dorimcheon Stream: After navigating the busy market alleys, take a quiet walk along Dorimcheon, a pleasant urban stream running past Daelim Station with paved walking paths and bicycle lanes.

Photo Tips

Capturing the cinematic mood of The Outlaws requires paying attention to lighting and camera positioning. Here is how to get the best shots while respecting local residents:

• The Low-Angle Alleyway Shot: Position your camera low to the ground pointing upward in the narrow market corridors under red lanterns. This framing mimics the dramatic, grounded camera work used during Detective Ma’s walk-and-talk scenes.
• The Golden Hour to Dusk Transition: Visit Daelim Chinatown around 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. As twilight approaches, the glowing neon signs and shopfront lights create a vivid contrast with the darkening blue sky, matching the noir tone of the movie.
• Mindful Photography: Avoid photographing children, private residence entrances, or individual faces up close without permission. Focus your lenses on architectural details, street signs, and atmospheric wide shots.

FAQ

Is Garibong-dong safe to visit for international tourists?

Yes. Although media depictions in movies like The Outlaws present the area as violent and gritty for dramatic effect, Garibong-dong and Daelim-dong are safe urban neighborhoods monitored by local law enforcement. Standard urban travel precautions apply: stay aware of your surroundings, keep your personal belongings secure, and be polite to local shopkeepers.

Are there English signs available in Garibong and Daelim markets?

English signboards are limited in these neighborhoods compared to major tourist centers like Myeongdong. Most signs are written in Korean and Chinese characters. However, using smartphone translation apps or pointing at menu items makes ordering food and navigating simple and straightforward.

How long should I budget for visiting these locations?

Budget around three to four hours total. This provides ample time to walk through Garibong Market, explore the Daelim Station commercial strip, take photos, and enjoy a sit-down meal at one of the local restaurants.

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