Myeongdong K-Drama Filming Locations and Walking Map

Where Drama Magic Meets Seoul Street Culture

Back in 2006, two actors stood in the absolute middle of Myeongdong’s busiest pedestrian intersection, sharing a sudden kiss while actual shoppers stopped and stared in utter confusion. That unscripted crowd reaction was completely real—director Hwang In-seo had positioned hidden cameras inside nearby storefronts to capture genuine reactions for the iconic series Goong (Princess Hours). That single scene turned Myeongdong from a mere shopping hub into an bucket-list shrine for international drama lovers.

While millions of travelers head to this lively district every year strictly for sheet masks and street snacks, true fans know that every third street corner has appeared on screen. From high-fashion shopping sprees in blockbuster romance dramas to quiet, emotional moments outside historic landmarks, Myeongdong offers a surprisingly dense cluster of real-life set locations. Exploring these spot requires zero tour buses or expensive tickets—just a comfortable pair of walking shoes and a topped-up T-money card.

Shinsegae Department Store Main Branch

In episode 11 of Crash Landing on You, chaebol heiress Yoon Se-ri takes North Korean officer Ri Jeong-hyeok on an extravagant makeover spree, buying him custom suits to help him fit seamlessly into South Korean high society. The glittering backdrop for this sleek transformation was filmed inside and directly outside the flagship Shinsegae Department Store in Myeongdong. Years earlier, the same department store served as a backdrop for luxury dates in classic series like Boys Over Flowers.

In real life, this grand stone building is the original main branch of Shinsegae, operating on this site since the 1930s. The exterior features classical revival architecture that stands out dramatically against Seoul’s modern glass skyscrapers. During November and December, the store’s exterior façade transforms into one of Asia’s most famous Christmas light installations, featuring millions of LED lights animated into a massive media display that draws thousands of spectators each evening.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 4 to Hoehyeon Station and leave through Exit 7, which connects directly to the underground entrance of Shinsegae Department Store. Alternatively, walk five minutes west from Myeongdong Station (Line 4), Exit 5 toward the central post office area.

Myeongdong Main Pedestrian Street

The high-profile street kiss in Goong between Crown Prince Lee Shin and Shin Chae-kyeong was filmed right along Myeongdong-gil, the core shopping artery. Because the crew filmed without securing a permits-cleared set to preserve natural lighting and raw street energy, the surrounding crowd consisted of real shoppers who gradually realized they were watching two top actors shooting a scene.

This pedestrian corridor is Myeongdong’s central bloodline, lined with multi-story cosmetics flagships, fashion outlets, and neon signs. During the day, the street is open and spacious, but by late afternoon, a parade of street food carts rolls out, turning the entire stretch into a bustling open-air night market. It is one of the most vibrant urban spaces in Seoul and remains practically unchanged from its appearance in mid-2000s classics.

How to Get There

Take Subway Line 4 to Myeongdong Station and exit via Exit 6. Turning left immediately puts you right onto the main Myeongdong-gil pedestrian boulevard.

Myeongdong Cathedral

In the romantic comedy You’re Beautiful, Go Mi-nam visits the peaceful courtyard of Myeongdong Cathedral during moments of deep reflection while trying to hide her identity. The cathedral also makes prominent appearances in melodramatically charged scenes across shows like A Piece of Your Mind and Life on Mars, providing a quiet aesthetic contrast to the hectic commercial zone surrounding it.

Completed in 1898, Myeongdong Cathedral (Myeongdong Seongdang) is the birthplace of the Roman Catholic Church community in Korea and a major historic landmark. Built in a classic Gothic Revival style using red and gray bricks, the cathedral sits atop a gentle hill overlooking the shopping district. It remains an active place of worship as well as a peaceful public sanctuary with manicured gardens, subterranean bookshops, and quiet coffee spots underneath the main plaza.

How to Get There

From Myeongdong Station (Line 4), take Exit 8, turn left onto Myeongdong 10-gil, and walk straight uphill for about seven minutes. The towering brick spire will be clearly visible directly ahead.

Lotte Department Store Star Avenue

Star Avenue featured heavily in the promotional mini-series 7 First Kisses, where a store clerk played by Lee Cho-hee encounters various heartthrob suitors played by Lee Min-ho, Ji Chang-wook, and Lee Jong-suk. The hall serves as the physical portal between her mundane store job and her fantastical romantic encounters.

Star Avenue is an interactive entertainment corridor located right along the exterior pathway connecting Lotte Department Store to the Lotte Hotel Seoul. It features high-definition LED screens, handprint displays of top Korean actors and K-pop idols, and interactive media walls where fans can match their hand sizes against their favorite celebrities. It is completely free to enter and fully sheltered from the weather.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 2 to Euljiro 1-ga Station and use Exit 7 or Exit 8. The entrance to Star Avenue is located right on the ground level walkway between Lotte Department Store Main Branch and Lotte Hotel.

Make a Day of It

Myeongdong is compact enough that you can easily visit all four myeongdong drama filming locations in a single morning or afternoon, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the neighborhood’s legendary culinary and shopping scene. To build an efficient itinerary, start at Lotte Department Store’s Star Avenue near Euljiro 1-ga Station, walk south through the main shopping street toward Shinsegae, and end your walking tour with a peaceful walk up to Myeongdong Cathedral as the sun sets.

When planning your eating strategy, balance quick street snacks with classic seated meals. Myeongdong is world-famous for its food stalls, but it also houses legendary multi-generational restaurants that local office workers and celebrities frequent.

Spot Name	Category	Why Visit
Myeongdong Kyoja	Restaurant	Michelin Bib Gourmand hand-cut chopped noodles (kalguksu) and garlic-heavy steamed dumplings.
Olive Young Town	Shopping	The massive flagship store for testing trending Korean skincare products featured in dramas.
Myeongdong Street Food Carts	Snacks	Try hotteok (sweet pancakes), gyeran-bbang (egg bread), and grilled cheese lobster skewers.

While exploring shops, keep an eye out for cosmetic brand stores like Nature Republic or Laneige. These multi-story flagships often feature dramatic interior lighting and glass escalators that frequently serve as backdrop locations for modern web dramas and romance series.

Photo Tips

To capture the perfect shot at Shinsegae Department Store, position yourself across the street near the Seoul Central Post Office plaza. This gives you a wide, unobstructed view of the majestic stone building facade. If you are visiting between late November and early January, arrive around 5:30 PM just as the holiday lights turn on for crisp, vibrant photos against the twilight sky.

For Myeongdong Cathedral, walk up the main stone stairs and shoot from a low angle near the lower plaza garden. This frames the red-brick spire against the sky while cutting out surrounding modern storefronts. Early morning before 9:00 AM is the best time for photos here if you want empty walkways without surrounding crowds.

FAQ

How much time do I need to visit all these filming locations?

You can comfortably visit all four major locations in about two to three hours on foot, as they are all located within a one-kilometer radius of one another. Adding time for lunch, street food tasting, and skincare shopping makes Myeongdong an ideal half-day or full-day activity.

Are these locations free to visit?

Yes, all the featured filming spots—including Myeongdong Pedestrian Street, Star Avenue, the public grounds of Myeongdong Cathedral, and the public areas inside Lotte and Shinsegae department stores—are free to access and photograph.

Can I still see active drama filming happening in Myeongdong?

While major productions occasionally film short night scenes in Myeongdong, large-scale daytime filming has become rarer due to heavy foot traffic and crowd control challenges. Most crew shoot early in the morning or during late weeknights. Always maintain a respectful distance if you happen to come across an active set.

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