Euljiro K Drama Locations: Walk Through Vincenzo’s Geumga Plaza

The Gritty Retro Charm of Seoul’s Hipjiro

When the camera panned up the weathered concrete facade of Geumga Plaza in Vincenzo, Seoul locals instantly recognized the iconic elevated walkways of Sewoon Sangga in Euljiro. For decades, this central neighborhood was known strictly as an industrial grid of printing presses, acrylic fabricators, and hardware suppliers. Today, young Koreans call it "Hipjiro"—a mashup of "hip" and "Euljiro"—where vintage neon signs, narrow alleyways, and industrial backdrops attract K-drama directors searching for raw, atmospheric urban settings.

Walking through these alleys feels like stepping onto a living film set. Productions like Vincenzo, Taxi Driver, and Lovestruck in the City rely heavily on Euljiro’s distinct 1970s aesthetic to ground their stories in authentic Seoul history. Visiting these real-world spots offers international fans a chance to experience the atmospheric heart of the city while following directly in the footsteps of their favorite screen characters.

Sewoon Sangga (Geumga Plaza in Vincenzo)

In the mega-hit drama Vincenzo, this massive building serves as Geumga Plaza, the contentious commercial complex housing eccentric shopkeepers, hidden gold treasure, and the law office of Vincenzo Cassano and Hong Cha-young. It is the central hub where the drama’s major conflict between Vincenzo and Babel Group unfolds.

In real life, Sewoon Sangga is a massive residential-commercial complex built in 1968 as Korea’s first modern multi-use building. Designed by famed modern architect Kim Swoo-geun, the structure spans multiple city blocks. While the lower floors still house traditional electronics repair shops and component suppliers, the upper pedestrian decks (renamed Sewoon Makercity) have been revitalized with boutique cafes, craft workshops, and vintage record stores. The residential units on the top floors remain private homes, so visitors should keep noise levels down when exploring the upper levels.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 2 or Line 3 to Euljiro 3-ga Station. Take Exit 6 and walk straight northbound for approximately three minutes. You will see the towering concrete facade of Sewoon Sangga spanning directly across the main road ahead. Walk up the outdoor staircases to reach the third-floor elevated pedestrian walkway featured prominently in the drama.

Cheonggyecheon Stream (Sewoon Pedestrian Bridge)

The elevated pedestrian bridge connecting Sewoon Sangga to Cheonggye Sangga across the Cheonggyecheon Stream appears in several quiet reflection scenes in Vincenzo, as well as romantic evening walks in Lovestruck in the City and legal investigation scenes in Touch Your Heart. Characters frequently stand against the railing, looking down at the flowing water while contemplating crucial plot decisions.

The Cheonggyecheon is a historic 11-kilometer stream flowing west to east through downtown Seoul. Covered over by concrete highways during Korea’s post-war industrial boom, it was restored in 2005 into an urban park. The section beneath the Sewoon Bridge offers a unique juxtaposition between natural running water, historic concrete bridges, and surrounding skyscrapers. It remains a popular resting spot for local office workers during lunch hours and a peaceful pedestrian path at night.

How to Get There

From Sewoon Sangga, continue walking along the 3rd-floor outdoor pedestrian walkway toward the north. The bridge connects directly over the stream. To access the stream bank directly, use the public staircases located on either side of the Sewoon Pedestrian Bridge to walk down to the water level.

Coffee Hanayakbang and Hyeminseo

While not the main stage of a single storyline, the narrow alley hiding Coffee Hanayakbang provided the vintage backdrop for atmospheric alley shots in Hotel Del Luna and inspired the 1970s aesthetic seen throughout Vincenzo and retro Korean cinema. The dark wood paneling, antique lamps, and hidden courtyard setting capture the exact visual mood used by directors to evoke nostalgia.

This unique location carries real historical significance. The site was once home to Hyeminseo, the Joseon-era medical clinic for common people where the legendary court physician Hur Jun practiced medicine. Today, Coffee Hanayakbang brews hand-drip filter coffee over open flames in a tiny room furnished with restored mother-of-pearl cabinets. Right across the tiny alleyway is Hyeminseo, a partner bakery serving traditional and modern French pastry fusions in a multi-story retro lounge.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 2 or 3 to Euljiro 3-ga Station and leave via Exit 1. Walk straight for about 30 meters, then look for a narrow alleyway tucked between a local pharmacy and a shopfront on your left. The alley is less than one meter wide, so keep a close eye out or you might walk right past it.

Euljiro Nogari Alley (Dry Pollock Alley)

This vibrant outdoor dining corridor has featured in gritty nighttime scenes in Taxi Driver and relaxed after-work drinking scenes in Work Later, Drink Now. The energetic atmosphere of crowded outdoor plastic tables under glowing store signs represents the quintessence of local Korean nightlife culture in television media.

Euljiro Nogari Alley is a designated Seoul Future Heritage site, famous for popularizing cold draft beer paired with nogari (dried young draft pollack) and dried squid served with spicy mayo sauce. Starting every late afternoon, local pubs place hundreds of colorful plastic tables directly onto the pedestrian street. The area fills quickly with local workers unwind after business hours, creating an electric yet welcoming neighborhood vibe.

How to Get There

Take Seoul Subway Line 2 or 3 to Euljiro 3-ga Station and take Exit 3 or 4. Turn immediately into the side alley behind the subway exits. You will find yourself directly inside the main stretch of Nogari Alley within a few paces.

Make a Day of It

Exploring these euljiro k drama locations makes for a seamless half-day or full-day walking itinerary through central Seoul. Because these spots sit close together, you can easily combine location hunting with exceptional local dining and cultural sightseeing.

Time of Day	Activity	Local Food Highlight
Morning	Coffee at Coffee Hanayakbang & Hyeminseo alley explore	Hand-drip coffee & fruit tarts
Midday	Walk Sewoon Sangga decks & shoot Geumga Plaza angles	Euljiro-style Pyeongyang Naengmyeon
Late Afternoon	Stroll Cheonggyecheon Stream & retro print shops	Traditional Golbaengi-muchim (spicy snail salad)
Evening	Night lights at Nogari Alley & Sewoon bridge rooftop	Fresh draft beer with grilled dried pollack

Start your morning around 10:30 AM with a quiet drip coffee inside Coffee Hanayakbang before the afternoon crowd arrives. From there, take a short five-minute walk to Sewoon Sangga. Spend an hour walking the elevated decks on the 3rd floor, taking in the contrast between traditional machinery shops and modern creative studios. For lunch, step into one of Euljiro’s legendary cold noodle restaurants for authentic Pyeongyang-style naengmyeon (buckwheat noodles in chilled broth).

In the afternoon, cross the Sewoon Pedestrian Bridge toward Cheonggyecheon. Walk along the stream bank towards Jongno or Dongdaemun for light shopping. As dusk approaches, return to Sewoon Sangga and head up to the rooftop garden (accessible via public elevator inside the main building) for a panoramic sunset view featuring N Seoul Tower framing the city skyline. Wrap up your day by joining the bustling outdoor crowds at Nogari Alley for casual evening snacks and draft beer.

Photo Tips

To capture the iconic Vincenzo poster shot at Geumga Plaza, stand on the 3rd-floor pedestrian deck of Sewoon Sangga facing south toward the central courtyard. Position your camera at a low angle pointing upward to emphasize the towering retro concrete structure. Bright, overcast daylight works best here to avoid strong dark shadows across the courtyard walls.

For romantic bridge photos reminiscent of Lovestruck in the City, visit the Sewoon Pedestrian Bridge during the "blue hour"—roughly 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. The warm golden lights from the stream path below combine with the dark blue sky to highlight the urban depth of downtown Seoul. Use a portrait lens with a wider aperture (f/1.8 to f/2.8) to blur the distant streetlights into soft background bokeh while keeping your subject sharply focused.

FAQ

Is Sewoon Sangga (Geumga Plaza) open to visitors every day?

Yes, the public pedestrian walkways, outdoor decks, and rooftop garden of Sewoon Sangga are accessible daily. While individual cafes and repair shops have varying operating hours (many small technical shops close on Sundays), the main public walkways remain accessible from morning through evening. Always verify specific cafe opening times before visiting.

Do I need tickets or a tour guide to visit these euljiro k drama locations?

No tickets or guided tours are required. All of these filming locations are public spaces, including the Cheonggyecheon Stream, public building walkways, and street alleys. You can easily walk to every location on a self-guided tour using Seoul’s public subway system.

When is the best time of day to visit Euljiro for filming spot photography?

Late afternoon transitioning into early evening (around 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM) is ideal. This timing allows you to capture clean structural architectural shots in daylight, catch the sunset over Namsan Tower from the Sewoon rooftop, and experience the iconic neon nightlife of Nogari Alley at dinner time.

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