Boys Over Flowers Filming Locations You Can Still Visit

The Drama That Defined an Era

Back in 2009, Tuesday nights across South Korea belonged to four wealthy high schoolers and one stubborn dry-cleaner’s daughter. Boys Over Flowers did not just capture local ratings; it launched the Hallyu wave into overdrive across the globe. Even today, over a decade later, fans traveling to South Korea still keep the iconic romance between Geum Jan-di and Gu Jun-pyo close to their hearts. There is something intensely comforting about stepping onto the exact paved walkways where F4 made their legendary slow-motion entrances.

Visiting these production locations allows you to experience the grand, nostalgic aesthetic of late-2000s Korean television firsthand. From prestigious university campuses doubling as elite high schools to quiet mountaintop plazas overlooking Seoul, these real-world places remain welcoming to visitors. While a few private backdrops have changed over the years, the core locations that made the show feel larger than life are waiting for your itinerary.

Keimyung University Seongseo Campus (Daegu)

When Geum Jan-di receives her scholarship to the ultra-exclusive Shin Hwa High School, she steps into a world of grand red-brick facades, lush ivy foliage, and wide European-style boulevards. Those recognizable exterior shots were not filmed in Seoul at all, but rather in Daegu at Keimyung University’s Seongseo Campus.

In real life, Keimyung University is one of southern Korea’s most beautiful academic institutions. Its signature Western architecture makes it a favorite set for period pieces and modern dramas alike. As you wander through the grounds, you will instantly recognize the majestic library building, the sweeping stone staircases, and the tree-lined avenues where Jan-di stomped along in her uniform. Because this is an active university campus, visitors are free to stroll the outdoor spaces during daylight hours, provided you maintain a quiet atmosphere out of respect for studying students.

How to Get There

From Seoul Station, take the KTX high-speed train down to Dongdaegu Station (roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes). From Dongdaegu Station, transfer to the Daegu Subway Line 1, ride to Banwoldang Station, and transfer to Line 2 heading toward Munyang. Get off at Keimyung University Station and take Exit 1 or Exit 7. The main entrance to the Seongseo Campus is just a short five-minute walk from the station exit.

N Seoul Tower and Namsan Cable Car Plaza (Seoul)

One of the show’s most endearing storylines involves Jun-pyo standing out in a bitter winter snowstorm waiting for Jan-di, stubborn to the core, refusing to leave their meeting spot. Their date eventually leads them to the warmth of the Namsan Cable Car facility and the scenic overlooks of N Seoul Tower.

Perched high atop Namsan Mountain in central Seoul, N Seoul Tower is one of the city’s most recognizable public landmarks. The surrounding wooden viewing decks offer sweeping panoramic views of the urban landscape stretching toward the Han River. You can take the Namsan Cable Car up the slopes just like the main characters, and write your own message on a lock to attach to the famous padlocks of love fencing. The upper plaza area is open public space, though accessing the specific observation tower deck requires an entrance ticket.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 4 to Myeongdong Station and head out of Exit 3. Walk straight along the right side of the Pacific Hotel for about 10 to 15 minutes uphill until you reach the Namsan Cable Car lower boarding station. Alternatively, you can take the Namsan Ormi slanted outdoor elevator near Hoehyeon Underground Shopping Center to reach the cable car terminal without climbing steep stairs, then board the cable car directly up to the plaza.

Farmer’s Table at Heyri Art Village (Paju)

Remember the grand, high-ceilinged school cafeteria where Shin Hwa students dined on gourmet meals under the watchful gaze of F4? Those interior scenes featuring warm wooden posts, towering book-filled display walls, and indoor rock features were filmed at Farmer’s Table inside the creative enclave of Heyri Art Village.

Farmer’s Table is a real Italian restaurant and cafe located in Paju, a city north of Seoul renowned for art and publishing. The space blends organic wood design with stone finishings, creating an airy, rustic atmosphere that feels every bit as luxurious as it appeared on screen. While the dining layout adjusts slightly over time, the distinctive architectural frame and central courtyard garden remain completely recognizable. Visitors can sit down for lunch or coffee, making it a comfortable stop during a day trip outside Seoul.

How to Get There

Head to Hapjeong Station on Seoul Subway Line 2 or Line 6. Take Exit 2 and board Bus 2200 at the designated stop. Ride the bus for approximately 45 to 50 minutes until you reach the Heyri Art Village stop (Gate 1 or Gate 4). Once inside the pedestrian-friendly village, follow local walking signage to the central complex hosting Farmer’s Table.

Shinsegae Department Store Main Branch (Seoul)

To show off his wealth and give Jan-di an unexpected makeover, Jun-pyo whisked her away to a high-end luxury shopping mall. The sleek glass displays and grand stone plazas featured in these spending sprees belonged to the Shinsegae Department Store Main Branch in central Seoul.

Located between Myeongdong and Namdaemun, the Shinsegae Main Branch consists of an elegant classic stone building dating back to the early 20th century alongside a modern main building tower. Beyond its television history, it is a premier shopping destination famous for its elaborate seasonal lights display every winter. Fans can wander through the lower food halls, stroll the designer retail levels, or enjoy the rooftop garden spaces, all while reliving the drama’s glitzy moments.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 4 to Hoehyeon Station and head toward Exit 7, which connects directly to the department store via an underground passageway. Alternatively, you can easily walk south from Myeongdong Station (Line 4, Exit 5) for about five minutes along the main street.

Make a Day of It

Because these filming spots are spread across different regions, pairing them with nearby cultural hubs makes your sightseeing seamless and rewarding.

• Daegu Exploration: After photographing the red bricks at Keimyung University, take Daegu Line 2 back toward the city center to explore Seomun Market. Try local street food favorites like 납작만두 (flat pan-fried dumplings) or 막창 (grilled intestines). Finish your afternoon walking through the historic alleys of the Daegu Modern History Streets.
• Central Seoul Combination: Combine the Shinsegae Department Store and N Seoul Tower into a single late-afternoon itinerary. Start with lunch in Myeongdong or the retail halls of Shinsegae, then take the short stroll uphill to the Namsan Cable Car in the late afternoon so you arrive at N Seoul Tower right as the sun sets over the Seoul skyline.
• Paju Art Excursion: Heyri Art Village in Paju is a sprawling destination filled with unique architecture, private museums, and independent bookshops. After dining at Farmer’s Table, spend a few hours exploring the nearby Paju Book City or walking along the quiet trails of the village before catching Bus 2200 back to Seoul.

Photo Tips

To recreate the nostalgic framing of the 2009 series, pay close attention to your angles, lighting, and simple hand props.

• Keimyung University Arches: Position your camera at a low angle near the main library steps or under the ivy-draped brick arches. Late afternoon sun creates warm, soft backlighting through the foliage, matching the dreamlike golden hour glow used during Jan-di’s quiet walking scenes.
• Namsan Lock Deck: Capture your shot from the upper deck looking out over the Seoul city panorama. Hold a classic yellow or brightly colored umbrella—a subtle head-nod to Jan-di’s iconic rainy day moments—and frame yourself slightly off-center to let the urban skyline fill the background. Nighttime offers vibrant city lighting, while hour before sunset gives you warm natural light.
• Farmer’s Table Interior: Shoot from a seated position looking up toward the multi-story wooden bookshelves or interior stone walls. Using a wider smartphone lens angle helps capture the grand ceiling heights that made the Shin Hwa cafeteria look so impressively opulent on camera.

FAQ

Can you tour the inside of the buildings at Shin Hwa High School?

Because the exterior scenes were shot at Keimyung University, you can freely walk around the university grounds, outdoor plazas, and main pathways. However, interior university classrooms, faculty offices, and academic spaces are active functional spaces closed to tourists. Stick to outdoor areas and publicly accessible corridors, keeping noise levels low.

Is Farmer’s Table in Paju still open to the public?

Yes, Farmer’s Table operates as an active dining venue within Heyri Art Village. However, business hours and menu offerings can vary seasonally. It is always wise to verify current opening hours via Korean navigation applications like Naver Map or KakaoMap before taking the bus trip out to Paju.

How many days should I set aside to visit all these locations?

You can easily visit the Seoul locations (N Seoul Tower and Shinsegae Department Store) in half a day. Heyri Art Village in Paju requires a full half-day trip from central Seoul. If you wish to visit Keimyung University in Daegu, dedicate a full day to the trip, taking an early morning KTX train south and returning to Seoul by late evening.

Keep Reading

• Winter Sonata Locations: Nami Island Day Trip
• Jeju Island KDrama Spots from Our Blues and Samdal-ri
• Business Proposal Drama Locations in Seoul and Incheon
• Real Hotel Del Luna Filming Spots You Can Visit in Korea