Han River KDrama Filming Spots in Start-Up and Squid Game

Where Korean Drama Magic Meets Seoul’s Iconic River

On warm May evenings after work, I usually head straight down to the riverbanks with a instant ramyeon bowl in hand, watching the city lights shimmer across the water. For Seoul locals, the Han River is our backyard, communal living room, and go-to escape. But for international drama fans, these riverside parks are holy ground where unforgettable TV moments came to life.

From emotional heart-to-hearts under bridge lights to late-night convenience store confessions, the riverfront provides a backdrop like no other. Directors love filming here because the sweeping water views, dramatic bridge structures, and twinkling skyline immediately anchor a story in the heart of modern Korea. Whether you want to recreate iconic scenes from Start-Up or walk the same grounds as the cast of Squid Game, visiting these locations offers a genuine slice of local culture alongside your favorite TV memories.

Nodeul Island: The Sandbox Hub from Start-Up

If you watched Start-Up, you undoubtedly remember the sleek, green, modern complex known as Sandbox, where young dreamers built their tech futures. In real life, those beautiful outdoor courtyard scenes, grassy slopes, and illuminated elevated walkways were filmed on Nodeul Island (Nodeulseom).

This location sits right in the middle of the Hangang Bridge. Formerly an abandoned patch of land, it was transformed into an eco-friendly cultural complex filled with music spaces, bookstores, cafes, and sweeping lawns. Drama characters frequently strolled along the wooden deck paths while discussing their business plans, framed by the breathtaking backdrop of the Yeouido skyline across the water.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 9 to Nodeul Station and exit through Exit 2. Walk straight toward the Hangang Bridge for about 10 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can catch a local city bus from Yongsan Station (Line 1) or Sinyongsan Station (Line 4) that drops you directly at the Nodeulseom bus stop in the center of the bridge.

Yeouido Hangang Park: Convenience Store Bonding and Romantic Strolls

Yeouido Hangang Park is arguably the most famous park along the river, and it appears in dozens of Korean shows and movies. One of its most memorable recent cameos was in Squid Game, where Seong Gi-hun shares a poignant late-night moment eating raw instant noodles and drinking liquor outside a riverside convenience store with Oh Il-nam.

Beyond darker thrillers, Yeouido represents classic Seoul romance. It starred in hit romantic comedies like What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim and One Spring Night, where couples take evening strolls past bright floating stage lights and blossoming trees. The wide concrete plazas, sprawling lawns, and views of the prominent 63 Building make it instantly recognizable on screen.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 5 directly to Yeouinaru Station. Take Exit 2 or Exit 3, and you will step immediately into the heart of Yeouido Hangang Park. To find the convenience store area featured in various dramas, walk along the paved riverside promenade heading toward the mapol-daegyo (Mapo Bridge) direction.

Banpo Hangang Park: The Moonlight Rainbow Fountain

Few places capture the shimmering nighttime atmosphere of Seoul quite like Banpo Hangang Park. Famous for the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain—which holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s longest bridge fountain—this spot featured heavily in classic and modern dramas like Boys Over Flowers, Legend of the Blue Sea, and Strong Woman Do Bong-soon.

Characters often come here when processing big life decisions or sharing romantic moments while watching the colorful water jets dance to music against the illuminated night sky. The nearby floating glass islands, known as Some Sevit, also lend a futuristic, luxury vibe that frequently appears in high-society drama scenes.

How to get there

Take Subway Line 3, 7, or 9 to Express Bus Terminal Station. Use Exit 8-1 and walk straight for about 15 minutes toward the Banpo Bridge junction, following the pedestrians heading to the river via the underpass. You can also catch a short feeder bus from the terminal station straight to the park entrance.

Ttukseom Hangang Park: Riverside Dates and Futuristic Architecture

Located on the eastern side of the river, Ttukseom Hangang Park is famous for its distinctive long, tube-like building called the J-Bug (Ttukseom Culture Complex). This futuristic venue and the surrounding open lawns starred in dramas like 18 Again, Yumi’s Cells, and The King: Eternal Monarch.

It is a favorite location for directors filming daytime picnic scenes, watersport moments, and casual weekend dates. The views looking across to the Namsan Seoul Tower in the distance create a peaceful, cinematic frame that captures everyday Korean youth culture.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 7 to Jayang Station (formerly Ttukseom Park Station). Exit via Exit 2 or Exit 3, which connects directly to the park grounds right below the elevated subway platform.

Make a Day of It

To truly experience these locations like a local drama protagonist, plan a full afternoon and evening along the water. Here is how to construct the perfect Han River itinerary:

• Try Hangang Ramyeon: Visit a riverside convenience store (GS25, CU, or 7-Eleven), purchase a paper bowl noodle kit, and use the automated hot water cooking machines. Top it off with a side of kimchi and a pouch drink with an ice cup.
• Order Chimaek on the Lawn: Download a local delivery app or ask a bilingual tourist service helper to order fried chicken straight to designated delivery zones inside Yeouido or Banpo parks.
• Rent a Bicycle: Locate the public Seoul Bike (Ddareungi) kiosks or private rental booths near subway exits. Wide, flat bike paths run continuously along both sides of the riverbank.
• Take an Evening River Cruise: Book an E-Land Cruise from the Yeouido dock around sunset to see the city lights and bridge installations from the water.

Park Name	Key Features	Nearest Subway
Nodeul Island	Sandbox courtyard, eco-complex, grass hill	Line 9 (Nodeul Station)
Yeouido Park	Squid Game convenience store, 63 Building view	Line 5 (Yeouinaru Station)
Banpo Park	Rainbow Fountain, Some Sevit floating islands	Line 3/7/9 (Express Bus Terminal)
Ttukseom Park	J-Bug structure, river sports, picnic lawns	Line 7 (Jayang Station)

Photo Tips

To catch the exact golden-hour aesthetic seen in K-dramas, timing and angles are everything. For Nodeul Island, position yourself on the western grassy slope about thirty minutes before sunset. Frame your shot looking toward the Yeouido financial district so the setting sun drops behind the high-rises while reflecting across the water.

At Banpo Hangang Park, position your camera at a low angle near the edge of the lower pedestrian deck facing Banpo Bridge. Wait for the night rainbow fountain show to begin, and use a slow shutter speed or portrait mode on your smartphone to capture the water streams lit up in purple and blue lights with the bridge arches stretching into the distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a picnic mat and table at Han River parks?

Yes, rental vendors set up shop right outside major subway exits like Yeouinaru Station and Express Bus Terminal Station during spring, summer, and autumn. They offer rental packages including picnic mats, small foldable tables, mini lanterns, and Bluetooth speakers for reasonable hourly rates.

What is the best season to visit these filming spots?

Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) offer the best weather for exploring the parks. April brings cherry blossoms along Yeouido, while autumn delivers crisp clear skies, warm sunsets, and comfortable evening temperatures ideal for sitting outdoors.

Are Han River parks open 24 hours?

The public park grounds and walking paths remain open 24 hours a day year-round. However, park facilities like convenience stores, rental shops, and public restrooms usually close around midnight or 1:00 AM. Always check operating schedules for specific bridge fountain shows or boat cruises before visiting.

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