Gwanghwamun Square K-Drama Locations: The King to Iris

Where Royalty and Modern Seoul Intersect

Walking out of Exit 9 at Gwanghwamun Station on a clear autumn morning feels like stepping directly onto a K-drama film set. The majestic peak of Mount Bugaksan towers behind Gwanghwamun Gate, while Seoul’s glass skyscrapers frame a wide, bustling pedestrian plaza. For local drama lovers and international travelers alike, this central avenue is much more than a historical landmark. It is the visual epicenter of Korean television.

Gwanghwamun Square has served as the back-drop for some of the most memorable scenes in K-drama history. Because the plaza bridges 600 years of Joseon Dynasty history with modern metropolis energy, directors love using it to convey grandeur, time travel, and high-stakes drama. Whether you are imagining a king on a white horse or a tense secret agent standoff, walking through this plaza brings your favorite screen moments to life without costing a single won.

1. King Sejong Statue and the Central Plaza

In The King: Eternal Monarch, this exact spot hosts one of the most iconic opening encounters in recent fantasy drama history. Emperor Lee Gon (played by Lee Min-ho) crosses over from the parallel-universe Kingdom of Corea and rides his majestic white horse, Maximillian, right into the middle of modern Seoul. He halts directly in front of the giant bronze statue of King Sejong, bewildered by the neon signs and traffic before meeting police inspector Jung Tae-eul (Kim Go-eun).

In real life, the King Sejong Statue honors the fourth monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, who created Hangul, the Korean alphabet, in 1443. The sitting bronze figure is one of Seoul’s most recognized public monuments. Beneath the statue lies a quiet, underground museum dedicated to King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin, accessible via stairs behind the pedestal. The newly renovated square offers expansive walking paths, lawns, and seating areas where locals gather during lunch breaks.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 5 to Gwanghwamun Station and head toward Exit 9. The exit opens directly into the underground concourse beneath the plaza, with escalators taking you straight up to the base of the King Sejong Statue.

2. Admiral Yi Sun-sin Statue and 12-23 Fountain

Action fans will instantly recognize the southern end of Gwanghwamun Square from the blockbuster espionage thriller Iris. In a groundbreaking sequence filmed over several days, downtown Seoul was shut down for Kim Hyun-jun (Lee Byung-hun) and Choi Seung-hee (Kim Tae-hee) to engage in a massive, cinematic shootout against terrorist forces right around the statue and surrounding intersections.

The statue depicts Admiral Yi Sun-sin, Korea’s legendary naval hero who defended the nation during the Imjin War using his famous ironclad turtle ships. In front of the statue, the 12-23 Fountain sprays streams of water into the air. The numbers honor the 23 naval battles Admiral Yi fought without a single defeat, as well as the 12 warships under his command at the battle of Myeongnyang. On warm days, local children love running through the water jets, offering a cheerful contrast to the dark suspense seen in Iris.

How to get there

From Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), use Exit 7 or Exit 9. Walk south along the central plaza path for about two minutes toward the southern tip of the square facing the main Sejong-daero intersection.

3. Gwanghwamun Gate Crosswalk

Time-travel romantic comedy Queen In-hyun’s Man features a classic scene where Joseon Dynasty scholar Kim Bo-dung (Ji Hyun-woo) suddenly materializes in modern-day Seoul directly facing Gwanghwamun Gate. Standing in his traditional robes amidst roaring cars and blinding streetlights, his utter shock captures the exact sensation of time jumping that makes historical fantasy dramas so compelling.

Gwanghwamun Gate is the primary gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. The city recently restored the historical Woldae (a elevated ceremonial stone stage) in front of the gate, connecting the palace grounds directly to the wide pedestrian crosswalk of Gwanghwamun Square. Walking across the broad crosswalk toward the giant wooden doors of the gate gives you the same panoramic perspective featured in the drama.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 3 to Gyeongbokgung Station (Exit 5), or Line 5 to Gwanghwamun Station (Exit 2). Walk north toward the massive wooden palace gate at the top end of the square.

4. Cheonggye Plaza and the Headwaters Stream

Located just a three-minute stroll south of Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonggye Plaza marks the starting point of Cheonggyecheon Stream. This area appears in numerous hit shows including Vincenzo and Goblin. In Vincenzo, antihero lawyer Vincenzo Cassano (Song Joong-ki) and Hong Cha-young (Jeon Yeo-been) walk along the stone pathways near the waterfall while discussing their legal battles. In Goblin, Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) and the Grim Reaper (Lee Dong-wook) stroll nearby after grabbing coffee.

Cheonggye Plaza is easily spotted thanks to Spring, a striking red-and-blue spiral sculpture created by artist Claes Oldenburg. From the plaza, stone stairs lead down to a sunken urban stream that stretches over 10 kilometers through downtown Seoul. It is a peaceful green oasis tucked beneath towering bank offices and corporate headquarters.

How to get there

From the Admiral Yi Sun-sin Statue at Gwanghwamun Square, walk south across Sejong-daero toward the bright spiral sculpture. Alternatively, take Line 5 to Gwanghwamun Station, Exit 5.

Make a Day of It

Because Gwanghwamun Square sits at the heart of Jongno-gu, you can easily turn your filming location tour into a full day of sightseeing, dining, and cultural exploration.

• Morning Palace Walk: Start early at Gyeongbokgung Palace before the crowds arrive. Rent a traditional Hanbok near the palace entrance for free entry and fun photos.
• Rooftop Panorama: Visit the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History located on the eastern side of Gwanghwamun Square. Head to the 8th-floor rooftop garden for a breathtaking, high-angle view over Gwanghwamun Gate and Mount Bugaksan.
• Local Dining near Seochon: Walk ten minutes west into the neighborhood of Seochon. Try warm ginseng chicken soup at Tosokchon Samgyetang, or sample traditional street snacks at Tongin Market using old brass coins.
• Evening Stream Stroll: Finish your day walking along Cheonggyecheon Stream as the city lights turn on, catching seasonal lamp festivals or street performance art.

Spot	Closest Drama	Best Feature
King Sejong Statue	The King: Eternal Monarch	Mount Bugaksan backdrop
Admiral Yi Statue	Iris	Water fountains & city views
Cheonggye Plaza	Vincenzo / Goblin	Sunken stream & walkways

Photo Tips

To capture the ultimate shot inspired by The King: Eternal Monarch, stand roughly 20 meters south of the King Sejong Statue. Position your camera low to the ground pointing upward toward the north. This angle frames the bronze monarch, Gwanghwamun Gate, and the sharp peaks of Bugaksan Mountain directly behind you in one continuous vertical shot.

For bright, clean photography without large crowds blocking your frame, visit between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM on weekdays. If you prefer dramatic cinematic lighting, visit at blue hour—roughly thirty minutes after sunset. The street lamps illuminating the palace gate light up, contrasting beautifully with the deep blue sky and high-rise office windows.

FAQ

Is Gwanghwamun Square free to visit?

Yes, Gwanghwamun Square is a public pedestrian park open 24 hours a day with no admission fee. Visitors are free to explore the plaza, photograph the statues, and enjoy the surrounding gardens anytime.

Can you ride horses or film freely in Gwanghwamun Square?

While standard personal photography and video recording are fully permitted, special activities like horseback riding or commercial filming require official permits from the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Always remain on designated pedestrian walkways.

When is the best season to visit Gwanghwamun Square for drama photos?

Autumn (October to November) is ideal. The yellow ginkgo trees along Sejong-daero turn vibrant gold, and crisp skies offer crystal-clear visibility of Mount Bugaksan behind the palace.

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