How to Find K-Drama Filming Spots in Seoul: Local Tips

Most first-time visitors in Seoul spend hours wandering through narrow alleys looking for a drama cafe that actually closed down three years ago. As someone who grew up watching K-dramas right here in Seoul and spent years tracking down filming sets, I see international fans make this mistake all the time. Korea moves fast, and storefronts change overnight, but the underlying city landmarks remain eternal backdrops to our favorite television memories.

When you step onto a location you have watched a dozen times on screen, the screen barrier disappears. Whether it is the quiet stone wall path where Ji Eun-tak met the Grim Reaper in Goblin, or the neon-lit rooftop where Park Sae-royi dreamed of starting DanBam in Itaewon Class, visiting these places connects you to the emotional heart of the story. Understanding how to find K-drama filming spots in Seoul comes down to knowing which locations are permanent public landmarks, how to navigate Seoul’s public transit, and how to plan your day efficiently.

Deoksugung Palace Stone-Wall Road (Goblin & Extraordinary Attorney Woo)

In Goblin, this iconic autumn-drenched path serves as the melancholic meeting place between the Grim Reaper and Ji Eun-tak outside her school. More recently in Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Woo Young-woo and Lee Jun-ho stroll along this quiet street while sharing thoughtful conversations after work.

In real life, this romantic walkway wraps along the outer boundary wall of Deoksugung Palace in the Jeong-dong neighborhood. It is famous among locals for its towering ginkgo trees that turn vibrant yellow during autumn, alongside preserved early 20th-century historical brick buildings. It remains a peaceful pedesterian-friendly promenade in the center of the bustling capital.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 1 or Line 2 to City Hall Station. Take Exit 1 or Exit 12, and turn directly onto the pedestrian path running alongside the palace wall. Walk slowly toward the Jeongdong Theater for the exact angles seen on screen.

Ikseon-dong Hanok Village (Hotel Del Luna)

Jang Man-wol glides through retro, moody alleyways lined with traditional wooden tiled roofs in Hotel Del Luna, capturing a nostalgic early 1900s visual aesthetic. The neighborhood’s unique vintage atmosphere complements the drama’s century-spanning fantasy storyline.

In real life, Ikseon-dong is one of Seoul’s oldest Hanok (traditional Korean house) residential neighborhoods, dating back to the 1920s. Over the last decade, local artists and entrepreneurs converted these historic structures into trendy tea houses, vintage clothing boutiques, artisan bakeries, and floral cafes. It retains its narrow maze-like alleys while offering modern cafe culture.

How to get there

Take Subway Line 1, Line 3, or Line 5 to Jongno 3-ga Station. Leave via Exit 4, cross the small road, and step straight into the narrow brick pedestrian alleyways. Verify individual cafe business hours before visiting as vendor schedules vary.

Naksan Park and Fortress Wall (Twenty-Five Twenty-One & Goblin)

Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin share late-night heart-to-heart talks overlooking the sprawling city lights in Twenty-Five Twenty-One. The ancient stone fortress walls curving up the illuminated hillside create an unforgettable romantic backdrop for quiet character moments.

This location is Naksan Park, situated on top of Mount Naksan in the Daehak-ro theater district. It contains a restored section of the historic Seoul City Wall (Hanyangdoseong), built during the Joseon Dynasty. At night, warm yellow spotlights illuminate the ancient stone wall, offering panoramic skyline views across central Seoul without high observation deck fees.

How to get there

Take Subway Line 4 to Hyehwa Station and leave via Exit 2. Walk past Marronnier Park and follow the uphill neighborhood signs leading toward Naksan Park along the mural village. Note that this area borders residential homes, so please keep voices low during evening visits.

Yeouido Hangang Park (Itaewon Class & Strong Girl Bong-soon)

Park Sae-royi goes on late-night runs along the sparkling riverbank while clearing his head in Itaewon Class, while Do Bong-soon and Ahn Min-hyuk enjoy casual picnic dates beside the water in Strong Girl Bong-soon.

Yeouido Hangang Park is a massive public green space running along the southern bank of the Han River on Yeouido Island. It is a premier leisure spot for Seoul residents, featuring wide cycling paths, open lawns, riverside convenience stores, and seasonal food markets. It provides unobstructed views of Seoul’s modern skyline and iconic bridges.

How to get there

Take Subway Line 5 to Yeouinaru Station and head out through Exit 2 or Exit 3. The park entrance and river promenade open up immediately in front of the station stairs.

Namsan Seoul Tower Plaza (Boys Over Flowers & True Beauty)

Gu Jun-pyo waits in the snow for Geum Jan-di in Boys Over Flowers, and Lim Ju-kyung visits the terrace in True Beauty. Countless dramas feature characters attaching personalized padlocks to the metal railing as a symbol of everlasting love.

Perched on the summit of Namsan Mountain, Namsan Seoul Tower is a landmark broadcast and observation tower. The surrounding plaza offers sweeping 360-degree views across the entire Seoul metropolitan area, complete with dining terraces, gift shops, and the famous padlock fences.

How to get there

Take Subway Line 4 to Myeongdong Station and exit at Exit 3. Walk approximately 10 to 15 minutes uphill toward the Namsan Cable Car station, or catch the yellow Namsan Loop Bus No. 01 directly from the bus stop near Exit 1.

Make a Day of It

Instead of crisscrossing the city and wasting precious vacation time on transit, group your filming locations by geographic cluster. Seoul’s subway system is efficient, but combining adjacent neighborhoods allows you to explore local food culture and historical sights seamlessly alongside your K-drama pilgrimage.

Neighborhood Cluster	Filming Location	Nearby Sight & Local Bite
Jongno & City Hall	Deoksugung & Ikseon-dong	Gwangjang Market (Mung bean pancakes)
Daehak-ro & Hyehwa	Naksan Park Fortress Wall	Ihwa Mural Village & Local play houses
Namsan & Myeongdong	Namsan Seoul Tower Plaza	Myeongdong Kalguksu (Hand-cut noodles)

Start your morning at Deoksugung Palace Stone-Wall Road while the morning sunlight hits the ancient trees. Walk east toward Jongno for lunch at Gwangjang Market to sample warm mung bean pancakes (bindaetteok) and handmade dumpling soup. In the afternoon, explore the retro alleys of Ikseon-dong for a hand-drip coffee inside a converted Hanok. As dusk approaches, head up to Naksan Park to watch the city lights turn on along the ancient fortress wall.

Photo Tips

To capture photos that look like genuine drama screenshots, pay close attention to camera height and perspective. Drama cinematographers love wide-angle, eye-level shots that place the actor in the lower third of the frame, letting the surrounding architecture or scenery dominate the upper two-thirds.

For locations like Deoksugung Stone-Wall Road and Naksan Park, visit during the golden hour—roughly one hour before sunset. The soft, warm light highlights the stone textures and foliage without harsh midday shadows. If you are shooting at Namsan Seoul Tower or Han River, stay past sunset to capture the ambient blue hour glow when neon signs and city lights contrast against the deep twilight sky. Use a stable surface or tripod for sharp night exposures.

FAQ

How do I know if a K-drama cafe location is still open?

Always verify small commercial locations on Korean mapping apps like Naver Map or Kakao Maps before traveling. Global search engines often show outdated information for small businesses in Seoul. If a specific cafe has closed, the surrounding street or neighborhood usually retains the same aesthetic atmosphere seen in the show.

Are K-drama filming locations in Seoul free to visit?

Most outdoor filming locations like public parks, fortress walls, palace exterior streets, and bridge promenades are completely free and open 24 hours. Historical palace interiors require a small entrance ticket, and private venues like themed cafes require purchasing a menu item.

How should I behave when visiting filming locations in residential areas?

Many popular drama locations, such as fortress wall paths and mural villages, run directly alongside private residential homes. Keep noise levels low, refrain from using flash photography near windows, do not leave trash behind, and avoid taking photos of local residents without explicit permission.

Keep Reading

• Step Into History: Iconic Palace KDrama Filming Locations in Seoul
• Han River K-Drama: Picnics, Ramyeon, Romantic Night Views
• Ihwa Mural Village K-Drama: Visit “Rooftop Prince” Spots
• N Seoul Tower: K-Drama Dates from “Star” to “Crash Landing”