Secretary Kim Filming Locations in Seoul You Can Visit

When Lee Young-joon reserved an entire Han River cruise ship just to impress Kim Mi-so, K-drama fans instantly knew this show was setting a whole new standard for romantic grand gestures. As a Seoul local who watched What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim week-by-week during its original broadcast, I remember how every episode triggered endless group chat messages asking where those stunning night views and charming bookstores were located. The production team chose setting choices that captured both the hyper-sleek corporate side of modern Seoul and the quiet, cozy neighborhoods hidden right behind the skyscrapers.

Visiting these spots today gives you a fantastic mix of famous sightseeing landmarks and atmospheric neighborhood walks. Whether you want to recreate the iconic night scenery along the ancient city walls or walk through the mesmerizing book tunnel from their famous date, searching for these secretary kim filming locations seoul highlights is one of the easiest and most satisfying K-drama itineraries you can plan.

1. Yeouido Hangang Park and Eland Cruise

This is where Young-joon pulls off his legendary grand gesture, renting out an entire cruise boat for an unforgettable private date complete with a private fireworks display and a giant plush doll. The scene captures the sparkling skyline lights reflecting off the Han River, turning a standard evening into pure romance.

In real life, Yeouido Hangang Park is one of Seoul’s most beloved public riverside spaces, and Eland Cruise operates real sightseeing boats from the dock year-round. You do not need the bank account of a narcissistic vice chairman to enjoy the water; regular public cruise tickets are widely available for day tours, sunset cruises, and live music dinner runs.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 5 to Yeouinaru Station and head out through Exit 3. Walk directly down toward the riverbank into Yeouido Hangang Park for about five minutes until you see the wooden docks and cruise terminal ships anchored along the water.

2. Seoul Book Bogo

During their unexpected day date after work, Mi-so and Young-joon explore a distinctive bookstore where they stand side-by-side beneath long, arching rows of dark wooden bookshelves. Mi-so pauses here to read passages from a popular Korean poetry book while Young-joon secretly watches her reaction.

This venue is Seoul Book Bogo, a massive public second-hand bookstore operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government near the Han River. Housed inside a converted industrial warehouse space, its defining architectural feature is a 32-meter central corridor lined with 32 steel archways filled with tens of thousands of pre-loved books donated by independent bookshops across the city.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 2 to Sincheon Station (note: this is Sincheon Station on Line 2, not Sinchon Station near Yonsei University) and leave via Exit 1. Walk straight for less than two minutes, and you will spot the distinctive building entrance on your left.

3. Naksan Park and the Seoul City Wall

Mi-so’s charming rooftop home neighborhood and several late-night walks featuring deep conversations take place along the historic stone ramparts overlooking the dense city below. The glowing lanterns illuminating the ancient wall contrast beautifully against the modern distant glow of N Seoul Tower.

These scenes were captured along Naksan Park, an elevated park built around preserved sections of the Seoul City Wall (Hanyang Doseong). Located right above the energetic Hyehwa university district, Naksan offers some of the most accessible panoramic night views in central Seoul without requiring a strenuous mountain hike.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 4 to Hyehwa Station and take Exit 2. Walk through Daehak-ro’s pedestrian streets heading uphill past the Marunouchi area following signs toward Naksan Park; the uphill walking climb takes roughly 15 minutes, or you can catch local village bus Jongno 08 from the station exit directly up to the park entrance.

4. Cheonggyecheon Stream Plaza

When an unexpected rain shower catches Mi-so and Young-joon walking together after an off-site meeting, they share a sweet moment taking shelter together while holding a blue umbrella near a stone stepping bridge crossing urban running water.

This scene was filmed along Cheonggyecheon Stream, an 11-kilometer modern public recreation stream that runs directly through the heart of downtown Seoul’s business district. Built below street level beneath bustling avenues, the stream features sunken walking paths, stepping stones, small waterfalls, and landscaped greenery that corporate workers and travelers use to unwind day and night.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 5 to Gwanghwamun Station and exit through Exit 5. Cheonggye Plaza and the start of the stream walking path are located directly outside the station exit.

Make a Day of It

Because these main locations wrap around central and eastern Seoul, you can easily combine them into a smooth one-day drama trail without spending hours stuck on public transit.

Start your morning at Seoul Book Bogo in Sincheon when doors open to enjoy quiet photos inside the empty book tunnel. From there, take Subway Line 2 directly into central Seoul for lunch. Spend your early afternoon walking along the lower banks of Cheonggyecheon Stream, stopping at a local cafe near Seochon or Insadong for fresh pastry and coffee.

As late afternoon approaches, head over to Hyehwa Station to explore the university theater scene before hiking up to Naksan Park just before golden hour. Watching the city transition from dusk to night along the fortress wall is incredible. Finally, take Line 4 transfer to Line 5 down to Yeouido Hangang Park to wrap up your night with an evening boat cruise or a riverfront picnic featuring convenience store instant ramen, exactly like local Seoulites love to do.

Photo Tips

To capture the iconic arched bookstore shot at Seoul Book Bogo without crowd distractions, stand right at the entrance of the central aisle and lower your camera angle slightly to accentuate the continuous curved ceiling overhead. Early weekday mornings are essential here, as the space fills up quickly with readers later in the day.

For Naksan Park, arrive 20 minutes before sunset. Frame your shot standing on the stone viewing platform looking south along the illuminated wall section so you capture the ancient stone parapets in the foreground with N Seoul Tower glowing in the distance. Night modes on smartphone cameras perform exceptionally well here once the fortress lighting turns on.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The exterior and garden scenes of Young-joon’s grand mansion were filmed at Maiim Vision Village, a private corporate resort complex located in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. Because this venue is privately owned and primarily used for corporate retreats and production filming (it also featured in Secret Garden), it is generally closed to the public except for special private events.

Where was the Yumyeong Group corporate headquarters filmed?

The exterior shots representing the exterior of Yumyeong Group were filmed at the CJ Blossom Park facility located in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do. Since it functions as an active research facility, tourists are restricted to viewing the modern glass exterior from outer public paths.

Is Seoul Book Bogo free to enter for tourists?

Yes, entering Seoul Book Bogo is completely free. Visitors can browse books, rest in the seating area, and photograph the architecture without buying anything. However, because it is an active quiet reading space for locals, visitors should keep photography silent and polite.

Keep Reading

• Step Into History: Iconic Palace KDrama Filming Locations in Seoul
• Han River K-Drama: Picnics, Ramyeon, Romantic Night Views
• Ihwa Mural Village K-Drama: Visit “Rooftop Prince” Spots
• N Seoul Tower: K-Drama Dates from “Star” to “Crash Landing”