Visiting the Campus Filming Locations from The Classic

The Timeless Romance of Kwak Jae-yong’s Masterpiece

Whenever soft autumn rain starts falling over Seoul, my mind automatically plays the soaring acoustic guitar intro of Scenery with Bicycle’s “Me to You, You to Me.” Director Kwak Jae-yong’s 2003 romance masterpiece The Classic defined an entire generation of Korean romantic cinema. Starring Son Ye-jin, Jo In-sung, and Cho Seung-woo, the film weaves a dual narrative connecting a mother’s bittersweet first love in the 1960s with her daughter’s university romance in the early 2000s. Decades after its release, international travelers still travel to Korea specifically to stand in the exact spots where these characters walked, fell in love, and shared umbrellas in the rain.

What makes finding the classic movie filming location so magical is that the film relied heavily on real, historic Korean university campuses. Rather than building temporary film sets, the production crew captured the romantic aesthetic of ivy-draped red brick, stone arches, and grand plazas found across historic educational institutions in Seoul, Daegu, and Gwangju. Visiting these grounds allows you to step directly into cinematic history while experiencing the lively energy of modern Korean campus life. If you are planning a trip to relive these iconic moments, here is your practical field guide to the real-life university locations featured in the movie.

Yonsei University Underwood Hall (Seoul)

This is easily the most famous location in the entire film. In one of Korean cinema’s most celebrated scenes, Sang-min (played by Jo In-sung) and Ji-hye (played by Son Ye-jin) sprint together across a rain-swept green, sheltering under his jacket as the film’s iconic soundtrack swells. They eventually take shelter under the stone arches of a beautiful ivy-draped building.

In real life, this unforgettable scene was filmed in the central courtyard of Yonsei University’s Sinchon Campus, right in front of Underwood Hall. Built in the 1920s and designated as a Historic Site of South Korea, Underwood Hall features stunning Gothic-style stone architecture draped in thick ivy. The central garden in front of the building, flanked by Stimson Hall and Appenzeller Hall, forms a historic courtyard that looks like something out of a European fairytale. Because it is an active administrative building on a working campus, visitors can walk freely around the courtyard and grounds, though interior offices are off-limits to the public.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 2 to Sinchon Station and take Exit 2 or 3. Walk straight down Yonsei-ro, the vibrant university street packed with shops and cafes, for about 10 to 12 minutes until you reach the main gates of Yonsei University. Once inside the main gate, walk straight up the central pedestrian boulevard known as Baekyang-ro for about 500 meters. Underwood Hall sits prominently at the end of this main boulevard, surrounding a central statue garden.

Keimyung University Seongseo Campus (Daegu)

While Yonsei captured the movie’s most iconic rain scene, Keimyung University served as the primary backdrop for the broader campus sequences in both the 1960s past timeline and the 2000s present timeline. The characters walk along retro brick pathways, sit on sprawling library steps, and stroll through quiet tree-lined avenues during their college years.

Located in the southern city of Daegu, Keimyung University’s Seongseo Campus is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful university campuses in South Korea. The campus was specifically designed with 19th-century Western architectural influences, featuring striking red-brick buildings, white window frames, and thick blankets of ivy. Key spots on campus used during filming include the grand Adams Chapel on the hill, the brick arcades surrounding the Humanities College, and Hanhak-chon, a traditional Korean village area located right on campus grounds. It is so photogenic that dozens of other period dramas have filmed here over the years.

How to get there

If you are traveling from Seoul, take the KTX high-speed train from Seoul Station to Dongdaegu Station, which takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. From Dongdaegu Station, transfer to the Daegu Subway Line 1 heading toward Seolhwa-Myeonggok, ride to Banwoldang Station, and transfer to Line 2 heading toward Munyang. Get off at Keimyung University Station and use Exit 1 or Exit 7. The main entrance to the Seongseo Campus is less than a five-minute walk from the exit.

Chonnam National University Yongbong Campus (Gwangju)

In the film’s nostalgic 1960s timeline, Joon-ha (played by Cho Seung-woo) experiences the innocent excitement of his school years alongside Joo-hee. The production team needed historic buildings that felt genuinely preserved from mid-20th-century Korea, choosing vintage brick structures and mature tree-lined avenues to evoke a deep sense of longing and nostalgia.

These period-accurate campus scenes were captured on the Yongbong Campus of Chonnam National University, located in the southwestern city of Gwangju. Established in the early 1950s, the campus features several preserved red-brick buildings from the post-war era, nestled among massive Metasequoia trees and peaceful green lawns. The area around the historical museum building and the old library grounds retains an authentic vintage atmosphere that feels completely detached from modern city life, making it a favorite spot for retro film productions seeking an authentic mid-century aesthetic.

How to get there

From Seoul, take a KTX train from Yongsan Station or Seoul Station to Gwangju-Songjeong Station (roughly 1 hour and 50 minutes). From Gwangju-Songjeong Station, take Gwangju Express Bus 02 directly to the Chonnam National University Back Gate stop, which takes around 40 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a taxi directly from the KTX station to the university campus in approximately 25 to 30 minutes.

Make a Day of It

Exploring the classic movie filming location spots across Korea offers the perfect excuse to dive into the surrounding local neighborhoods and food scenes. Each campus is located in a distinct neighborhood filled with unique culinary specialties and sights.

Location	Nearby Culinary Specialty	Recommended Local Sight
Sinchon (Yonsei)	Sinchon Dak-galbi (Spicy Stir-fried Chicken)	Ewha Womans University Shopping Street
Seongseo (Keimyung)	Daegu Makchang (Grilled Pork/Beef Gut)	Gangjeong-Goryeong Weir (ARC Cultural Center)
Yongbong (Chonnam)	Gwangju Songjeong Tteokgalbi (Grilled Rib Patties)	Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall

In Seoul, after exploring Yonsei University, spend your afternoon wandering through Sinchon and neighboring Hongdae. Grab a hot, sizzling plate of dak-galbi at one of Sinchon’s long-standing alley restaurants, or relax at a cozy indie cafe along the nearby Gyeongui Line Forest Park. If you visit during autumn, the ginkgo trees lining Yonsei-ro turn a brilliant golden yellow, creating a stunning walking corridor straight from the subway to the campus gates.

In Daegu, pair your morning walk at Keimyung University with a trip to the local food alleys. Daegu is famous across Korea for its incredible food culture. Try regional specialties like makchang or spicy dongin-dong galbi-jim (braised short ribs). Near the campus, the Seongseo neighborhood offers plenty of relaxed student-friendly cafes where you can rest after walking the vast campus grounds.

For those visiting Gwangju, Chonnam National University is located near vibrant local arts districts. Take time to explore the city’s rich history and vibrant culinary scene, particularly its famous tteokgalbi (grilled minced beef patties) served with aromatic side dishes that show off the famed culinary tradition of the Jeolla region.

Photo Tips

To recreate the iconic umbrella scene at Yonsei University’s Underwood Hall, position your photographer near the central garden lawn looking back toward the building’s arched entrance. Use a slightly low angle to capture the full grandeur of the Gothic facade and the ivy-draped arches behind you. The absolute best time of day for lighting is late afternoon during the golden hour, when soft sunlight filters through the surrounding trees and illuminates the stone exterior.

If you want to catch the campus look from the film, visit during two key seasons: late May to July when the ivy clinging to the brick walls is at its lush, deep green peak, or late October to early November when the ivy transforms into a rich crimson red while ginkgo trees shower the grounds in gold. Because these locations are active universities, aim to visit on weekend mornings when student pedestrian traffic is low, allowing you to capture clear landscape photos without crowds in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can visitors freely enter these university campuses?

Yes, the outdoor grounds of Yonsei, Keimyung, and Chonnam National Universities are open to the general public. Visitors are welcome to walk through the plazas, gardens, and outdoor pathways. However, keep in mind that these are active educational institutions. Interior classrooms and administrative offices are restricted to students and faculty, so visitors should maintain a quiet atmosphere and avoid disturbing classes or events.

What is the best season to visit the filming locations from The Classic?

Autumn (late October through mid-November) is undeniably the best season to visit. The film relies heavily on nostalgic, romantic autumn imagery, and during this time, the ivy covering the historic brick buildings turns vivid shades of red and orange. Spring (April) is also wonderful, as cherry blossoms bloom along the main pedestrian paths of all three campuses.

Are there guided tours available for movie locations outside Seoul?

While there are no official guided tours sponsored by the film production, all featured campuses are easy to visit independently using Korea’s efficient public transit system. High-speed KTX trains quickly connect Seoul to Daegu and Gwangju, making day trips or weekend multi-city itineraries simple for international travelers. Be sure to check operating train schedules online before traveling.

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