Real Hotel Del Luna Filming Spots You Can Visit in Korea

When Jang Man-wol strutted past those ivy-draped red brick arches in a vintage Victorian gown, most international viewers assumed the hotel facade was built inside a studio or generated by CGI. I thought so too until I took an early morning train down to the port city of Mokpo and stood right in front of those exact red walls. Seeing the physical building in person brings back every emotional line spoken by IU and Yeo Jin-goo.

Directed by Oh Choong-hwan and written by the legendary Hong Sisters, Hotel Del Luna captivated fans worldwide with its moody aesthetic, lavish wardrobe, and rich supernatural lore. While interior hotel sets were constructed on soundstages, the production team scouted remarkably distinctive heritage sites, modern cultural spaces, and centuries-old landmarks across South Korea. Visiting these real-world hotel del luna filming spots gives you a whole new appreciation for how the show blended real history with fantasy.

1. Mokpo Modern History Museum Hall 1 (Hotel Exterior)

In the drama, this grand building serves as the exterior facade of Hotel Del Luna in the human world—appearing normal to ordinary passersby while hiding its mystical skyscraper form from human eyes. Goo Chan-sung walks past its iconic front steps in multiple pivotal episodes as he comes to terms with managing a hotel for departed souls.

In real life, this distinctive red-brick landmark is the Mokpo Modern History Museum Hall 1, located in Mokpo, Jeollanam-do. Built in 1900, it originally served as the Japanese Consulate during the colonial period and stands as the oldest western-style structure in the city. The building sits gracefully on a small hill overlooking the old town neighborhood, retaining its original brickwork, arched windows, and elegant entryway.

How to get there

Take the KTX high-speed train from Seoul Station directly to Mokpo Station (approximately 2.5 hours). From Mokpo Station, the museum is easily reachable on foot. Walk out of Exit 1 and head straight up Yudal-ro toward the hillside for about 15 minutes. Alternatively, a local taxi from Mokpo Station takes under five minutes.

2. Seoul Book Bogo (The Ghost’s Bookstore)

Remember episode 2, where Man-wol fulfills the final wish of an elderly ghost who wanted to read every book she never had the chance to finish during her life? The scene takes place inside a breathtaking, seemingly endless tunnel of overflowing bookshelves where Man-wol and Chan-sung stroll together.

This surreal location is Seoul Book Bogo, located in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Opened in early 2019, it is Seoul’s first large-scale secondhand bookstore complex, managed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The interior features a striking 32-meter long metal archway designed to resemble a bookworm tunneling through pages, holding over 120,000 curated used books provided by independent booksellers across the city.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 2 to Jamsillaru Station. Head out of Exit 1 and walk straight for about two minutes. The modern warehouse building is located immediately on your left.

3. Paradise City Resort & Cimer (The Luxury Hotel Scenes)

Several early episodes showcase Chan-sung’s former workplace before Man-wol recruits him, as well as the sleek, high-end swimming pool where Chan-sung gets tossed into the water by an unseen spirit. The sweeping indoor plazas, high ceilings, and contemporary glass art installations set the stage for the show’s signature luxury tone.

These scenes were filmed at Paradise City, an expansive luxury art resort near Incheon International Airport. The outdoor pool and indoor relaxation zones featured in the drama belong to Cimer, the resort’s high-end European-style spa facility. The grand central plaza and hotel corridors display genuine art pieces from internationally recognized artists, creating the exact opulent vibe the show required.

How to get there

Take the Airport Railroad (AREX) line to Incheon International Airport Terminal 1. From Terminal 1, head to the bus stop on the first floor (Gate 3C or 14C) and board the free Paradise City shuttle bus, which runs every 15 to 20 minutes and takes under ten minutes to reach the main entrance.

4. Seongheungsan Love Tree (The Tree of Past Memories)

In emotional flashback sequences, Man-wol sits beneath a massive, ancient tree along a grassy ridge, sharing quiet moments with Chung-myung and Yeon-woo over a thousand years in the past. This specific tree represents the deep roots of her grudge and her long journey toward letting go.

This breathtaking spot is the Seongheungsan Love Tree, a 400-year-old zelkova tree standing at Garimseong Fortress in Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do. Perched at the crest of a mountain ridge, its giant curving branch forms half of a perfect heart shape against the open sky, making it one of the most famous natural filming sites in Korean television history.

How to get there

Take an intercity bus from Seoul Nambu Terminal to Buyeo Intercity Bus Terminal (approx. 2 hours). From Buyeo Terminal, board local bus 301 or 311 bound for Imcheon and alight at the Imcheon-myeon stop. From there, follow the clearly marked walking trail up Garimseong Fortress for roughly 15 to 20 minutes. Due to rural bus schedules, hiring a taxi from Buyeo Terminal directly to the fortress base is highly recommended.

Make a Day of It

Visiting these spots lets you experience distinct regions of Korea, from modern urban neighborhoods to quiet coastal towns. Here is how you can group your travel efficiently across different days:

Location	Region	Travel Time from Seoul
Seoul Book Bogo	Seoul (East)	30 mins (Subway)
Paradise City	Incheon	1 hour (Train/Bus)
Mokpo History Museum	Jeollanam-do	2.5 hours (KTX)
Seongheungsan Tree	Chungcheongnam-do	2 hours (Bus/Taxi)

When visiting Mokpo Modern History Museum, dedicate a full afternoon to the old town district. Walk along Yudal-ro to see colonial-era Japanese houses turned into cozy cafes. Don’t leave Mokpo without trying local specialties like nakji tangtangi (chopped raw octopus) at the near-by fish markets. Always check operating hours for museum interiors beforehand, as Mondays are standard closing days across Korea.

If you head to Seoul Book Bogo, pair it with a stroll around Seokchon Lake or a visit to Lotte World Tower, both situated just one subway stop away at Jamsil Station. The bookstore contains a quiet coffee corner inside, making it a comfortable place to sit and rest between sightseeing stops.

For Paradise City, combine your visit with a spa day at Cimer or dinner inside the resort’s international food hall. It makes an ideal destination on your first or last day in Korea because of its close proximity to Incheon Airport.

Photo Tips

To capture the ultimate shot at Mokpo Modern History Museum, stand across the street at the foot of the entrance stairs. Angle your camera slightly upward to frame the main arched entryway behind you, mirroring the dramatic camera angles used whenever Man-wol steps outside her hotel.

At Seongheungsan Love Tree, take your photo from the left side where the main branch arches outward. If you flip the photo horizontally using a basic editing app and stitch it next to the original, the bent branches combine to create a full, symmetrical heart shape against the sunset sky. Visit during late afternoon to catch golden hour lighting over the Baekgang River below.

FAQ

Is the real Hotel Del Luna a working hotel where I can stay?

No, the primary exterior seen in the drama is a municipal history museum in Mokpo, not a functioning hotel. However, the luxurious indoor scenes were filmed inside Paradise City Resort in Incheon, where you can book real overnight stays, spa packages, and restaurant reservations.

How long does it take to visit the Mokpo filming spot from Seoul?

Taking the KTX train from Seoul Station to Mokpo Station takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes each way. Because the museum is within walking distance of Mokpo Station, you can easily make a comfortable day trip out of it if you catch an early morning train.

Do I need tickets or reservations to enter these locations?

Seoul Book Bogo and Paradise City’s public plazas are free to enter without reservations. Mokpo Modern History Museum requires a small admission fee (usually under 2,000 KRW) to enter the exhibition rooms inside, though viewing the building exterior is free. Cimer Spa at Paradise City requires paid entrance tickets at the venue.

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