Real Secretary Kim Filming Locations You Can Visit in Korea

Reliving the Romance of What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim

Walking through a tunnel framed by thousands of second-hand books near Jamsillaru Station, it is almost impossible not to picture Vice Chairman Lee Young-joon awkwardly trying to navigate his newly discovered romantic feelings. The 2018 hit rom-com What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim captured the hearts of international drama fans thanks to the crackling chemistry between Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young. But beyond the witty banter and charming office antics, the show served up some of the most striking visual backdrops in modern K-drama history.

As a lifelong K-drama enthusiast living in Seoul, I spent weeks tracing the footsteps of the Yumyeong Group executive board. What makes these settings so memorable is the clever mix of Seoul’s modern architectural landmarks with serene, picturesque escapes just outside the capital. Whether you are rewatching the drama for the third time or preparing your first itinerary for South Korea, visiting these real-life places will bring your favorite scenes to life without needing a vice chairman’s private helicopter.

Seoul Book Bogo

In one of the show’s most heartwarming early episodes, Young-joon and Mi-so explore a grand, arching hallway lined with vintage books during an evening out. The intimate setting allows them to step away from their formal boss-and-secretary dynamic and connect as real individuals.

In real life, this remarkable facility is Seoul Book Bogo, a massive public book complex operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Located in Songpa-gu, it was transformed from an old empty warehouse into a vibrant cultural hub housing over 120,000 pre-loved books supplied by independent second-hand bookstores across Seoul. The main attraction for drama fans is the central aisle, where thirty arched iron bookshelves line up to form a spectacular, wave-like tunnel of literature.

How to Get There

Take Line 2 of the Seoul Subway to Jamsillaru Station. Walk out of Exit 1, turn right immediately, and walk straight for about 150 meters. The large, dark-grey building on your left is Seoul Book Bogo. Operating hours vary depending on the day of the week, and the complex is closed every Monday, so please double-check before heading over.

Forest of Wisdom in Paju

During the planning phase for Yumyeong Group’s new art center, Mi-so visits a breathtaking library space with wooden bookshelves stretching all the way to the lofty ceiling. This scene highlighted Mi-so’s dedication to her career while setting the stage for the dramatic library blackout moment later in the show.

This stunning location is the Forest of Wisdom (Jihye ui Sup), situated in the center of Paju Book City. It is a non-profit foundation that serves as a reading paradise for book lovers and publishers alike. The floor-to-ceiling wooden shelves house tens of thousands of donated books covering every topic imaginable. Because it is an open reading sanctuary with spacious wooden tables and an on-site cafe, visitors can grab a cup of tea and enjoy the warm, ambient atmosphere that feels straight out of a tvN screen capture.

How to Get There

Board the subway to Hapjeong Station (Lines 2 and 6) in western Seoul. Leave via Exit 2 and catch red express Bus 2200. Stay on the bus for approximately 35 minutes until you reach the Asian Publication Culture Information Center bus stop in Paju. The Forest of Wisdom is located right inside that cultural complex.

Everland Theme Park

When Lee Young-joon decides to plan a grand romantic gesture for Kim Mi-so, he goes to extreme lengths by renting out an entire amusement park after closing hours. The scene features a quiet stroll through illuminated gardens, a private carousel ride, and a spectacular fireworks show reserved just for two.

That scene was shot at Everland, South Korea’s largest and most famous theme park located in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. While regular visitors cannot rent out the whole park for themselves, you can experience the exact same romantic atmosphere in the evening when the thousands of decorative lights illuminate the plaza. The European Adventure section and the classic Royal Jubilee Carousel are the primary spots featured during their late-night date scene.

How to Get There

The easiest option from Seoul is taking express bus 5002 from Gangnam Station (Exit 10), which drops you off directly at the Everland bus terminal in about 50 minutes. Alternatively, take the Seoul Subway network to Giheung Station on the Suin-Bundang Line, transfer to the EverLine monorail, and ride it to the terminal station at Jeondae-Everland (Exit 3). Free shuttle buses run constantly from the station to the main theme park entrance.

Hantan River Sky Bridge in Pocheon

When the characters take a brief weekend escape away from office responsibilities, they take a walk across a striking pedestrian bridge suspended high above a lush river canyon. The vast landscape frames their growing emotional bond as they admire the scenery together.

This picturesque backdrop is the Hantan River Sky Bridge in Pocheon, a 200-meter-long suspension bridge hanging 50 meters above ground level. The bridge spans across the dramatic basalt canyon formed along the Hantan River, which is officially recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Walking across gives visitors sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and unique geological rock formations, making it a favorite weekend road-trip destination for locals.

How to Get There

Because Pocheon is situated in northern Gyeonggi Province, public transportation options are limited and take around two hours. From Dobongsan Station (Seoul Subway Lines 1 and 7), take intercity bus 3001 or 3002 toward Pocheon Intercity Bus Terminal. From the terminal, it is best to take a local taxi directly to the Hantan River Sky Bridge (Hantan-gang Haneul-dari). Always confirm return taxi arrangements before setting out.

Make a Day of It

To maximize your travel itinerary, pair these filming spots with nearby sights and local culinary hot spots. Here is a handy guide to making a full-day trip around each filming location:

Filming Location	Nearby Attractions	What to Eat Nearby
Seoul Book Bogo	Lotte World Tower, Olympic Park	Songridan-gil Cafe Street treats
Forest of Wisdom	Heyri Art Village, Paju Outlets	Traditional Korean duck roast
Everland	Korean Folk Village	Yongin central market sundae

If you visit Seoul Book Bogo in the morning, you can spend your afternoon walking around the scenic Seokchon Lake or going up to the observation deck at Lotte World Tower. Afterwards, head over to Songridan-gil, a famous alley full of trendy independent coffee shops and dessert bakeries right behind the lake.

For Paju, combine your trip to the Forest of Wisdom with a visit to Heyri Art Village, an eco-friendly community of artists, writers, and architects. The cafes in Paju are massive and famously aesthetic, making them ideal places to relax after exploring the library stacks.

Photo Tips

To capture the ultimate shot at Seoul Book Bogo, position your camera at a low angle right at the entrance of the iron bookshelf tunnel. Stand slightly off-center to let the grand, circular archways frame your silhouette. Early weekday mornings right after opening are ideal, as you will have clear sightlines down the aisle before fellow readers arrive.

When visiting the Forest of Wisdom, look for the tall timber shelving units near the natural light windows. Sit at one of the rustic wooden tables with a book in hand, asking your travel partner to shoot from a slightly lower perspective to emphasize the enormous scale of the floor-to-ceiling shelves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit Lee Young-joon’s luxury house in real life?

The grand exterior of Lee Young-joon’s mansion seen in the drama is actually a private venue space and wedding center located outside central Seoul, while some residential exterior shots were filmed near private residences in Gyeonggi Province. Because these locations are private property, visitors are not allowed to wander inside the grounds. Fans are strongly advised to enjoy the public sights featured in the show instead to respect local property owners.

Is Seoul Book Bogo free to enter?

Yes, admission to Seoul Book Bogo is completely free. Visitors can freely browse the books, walk along the famous archway aisles, and take photos without buying a ticket. However, because it operates as a quiet reading space and used book market, visitors should keep camera sounds low and maintain a respectful environment for local readers.

When is the best season to visit these Secretary Kim filming locations?

Autumn (October through November) is unquestionably the best season to visit these spots. The outdoor date scenes near Pocheon and Everland look particularly magnificent when surrounded by fall foliage. Furthermore, crisp autumn weather makes walking through Paju Book City and the outdoor river parks an absolute delight.

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