Korean dramas (K-dramas) have transformed global TV in the past decade — and Seoul is the city where most of them are filmed. From Squid Game‘s Yangjae station ddakji scene to Crash Landing on You‘s romantic Han River walks, Goblin‘s buckwheat-flower fields to Itaewon Class‘ Hooker Hill bar, K-drama tourism has become a major reason fans travel to Seoul. By 2026, Seoul Tourism estimates over 30% of inbound visitors cite K-content as a primary motivator for the trip, and a thriving ecosystem of K-drama walking tours, themed cafés, and pilgrimage maps now exists.
This is the comprehensive K-drama filming locations Seoul guide for 2026: every major show mapped to its key Seoul filming sites, addresses, subway access, what to do at each spot, plus self-guided itineraries to walk in your favorite characters’ footsteps.
The beauty of chasing K-drama filming locations in Seoul is that the city does most of the work for you: the subway reaches nearly every site, the most iconic spots are free, and Seoul actively signposts many of them. Below we map the fifteen most recognizable locations with addresses and subway exits, break them down by show, and string them into self-guided day itineraries so you can walk straight into your favorite scenes. Pair this with our K-pop and K-culture guide and the K-pop filming locations guide for a complete fandom trip.
Why K-Drama Filming Tours Are Booming
Three reasons:
- Streaming has globalized K-dramas — Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Viki all push Korean originals to 200+ countries.
- Seoul’s compact filming geography — most major dramas use sites within a 30-minute subway radius.
- Seoul tourism actively promotes K-drama tourism — official maps, themed photo zones, and signage at major filming sites.
For fans, that means most major drama locations are accessible self-guided in a single day. For deeper dives, multiple operators (Trazy, KKday, Klook) run dedicated K-drama tours with bilingual guides and themed lunches.
It helps to know that this isn’t a niche hobby anymore — it’s a pillar of Korean tourism. The “Hallyu” (Korean Wave) has turned ordinary subway platforms and stream-side benches into bucket-list stops, and Seoul has responded with official signage, photo zones, and annual filming-location maps. For fans, that means you can stand on the exact spot where a pivotal scene unfolded, often for free, with a plaque to confirm you’re in the right place. The fifteen locations below are ordered roughly by how recognizable and rewarding they are to visit in person.
The 15 Most Iconic K-Drama Filming Locations in Seoul
1. Yangjae Citizens’ Forest Station — Squid Game
The opening “ddakji” recruitment scene where the Salesman flips a paper square and slaps Gi-hun was filmed at Yangjae Citizens’ Forest Station in southern Gangnam. The exact platform and signage are recognizable.
- Subway: Yangjae Citizens’ Forest (Sinbundang Line)
- Free; expect tourists posing
Stand on the platform and you’ll instantly recognize the curved underground corridor where the recruiter coaxes Gi-hun into a game of ddakji. It’s an ordinary commuter station the rest of the day, so come off-peak and you’ll have space to recreate the slap-game photo without an audience. There’s not much else to do here, so treat it as a quick five-minute stop bolted onto a wider southern-Seoul or Gangnam day — our Gangnam guide covers what’s nearby.
2. Olympic Park — Squid Game Young-hee Doll
A giant replica of Young-hee, the doll from “Red Light, Green Light,” was installed at Olympic Park’s 88 Grass Field in October 2021 to celebrate Squid Game’s success. The replica has remained a Seoul tourism fixture.
- Subway: Olympic Park (Line 5)
- Free; daily 9 AM – 6 PM
Olympic Park is genuinely worth lingering at beyond the doll — it’s a vast, sculpture-dotted green space that’s lovely for a picnic, and the lone “Tree of Hope” on its grassy knoll is one of Seoul’s most Instagrammed spots in its own right. Combine the Young-hee photo with a slow loop of the park and the nearby Lotte World Tower in Jamsil for a full day south of the river. Allow a couple of hours; entry is free.
3. Tapgol Park — Squid Game Season 3
Featured in Season 3 of Squid Game. The historical March 1st Movement park in Jongno gained new fame.
- Subway: Jonggak (Line 1), Exit 3
Tapgol (Pagoda) Park carries real historical weight beyond its drama cameo — it’s where the March 1st Independence Movement was declared in 1919, and the national-treasure stone pagoda still stands at its center. That layering of history and pop culture is very Seoul. It’s a short, free stop a couple of minutes from Insadong, so fold it into a downtown day rather than a special trip.
4. Cheonggyecheon Stream — Many Dramas
The 11 km restored stream features in Goblin, Vincenzo, My Love from the Star, Squid Game, Itaewon Class, Crash Landing on You, and dozens more. The lit nighttime walking path is the universal “main couple has a serious conversation” backdrop.
- Best entry: Cheonggye Plaza near Gwanghwamun
- Free
Because Cheonggyecheon threads right through downtown, it’s the easiest “I walked where they walked” moment in the city — step down from street level near Gwanghwamun and you’re suddenly on the lamplit stone path that has hosted a thousand on-screen heart-to-hearts. Go at dusk when the water catches the city lights, then walk it east toward Dongdaemun, stitching together several drama scenes in a single riverside stroll. It links neatly to the markets and palaces of our Jongno guide.
5. Bukchon Hanok Village — Goblin, Mr. Sunshine
The traditional hanok lanes appear in Goblin, Mr. Sunshine, Sky Castle, Reply 1988. The Bukchon-ro 11-gil view is iconic.
- See our complete Bukchon guide
The money shot is the steep cobbled lane of Bukchon-ro 11-gil, where the hanok rooftops stack down toward the modern skyline — the exact frame used in Goblin and a hundred other dramas. Remember that real families live here: signs ask visitors to keep quiet, and volunteer “keepers” gently shush noisy crowds, so visit before 10 AM both for the empty streets and out of respect. Combine it with neighboring Samcheong-dong’s cafés and the palaces just downhill. Our full Bukchon Hanok Village guide has the quiet-route map.
6. Gyeongbokgung Palace — Mr. Sunshine, The Crowned Clown
Joseon-era dramas frequently use Gyeongbokgung, especially the throne hall and side courtyards. Mr. Sunshine, The Crowned Clown, Empress Ki, and many sageuk (historical dramas).
For the full sageuk fantasy, time your visit for the changing-of-the-guard ceremony at the main Gwanghwamun gate (roughly hourly, 10 AM–3 PM) — the costumed guards and drums are exactly the pageantry these historical dramas dramatize. Here’s the insider move: rent a hanbok from one of the shops outside the walls and your palace admission becomes free, which is both a saving and the single best K-drama-cosplay photo opportunity in Korea. Gyeongbokgung is huge, so allow two hours, and pair it with adjacent Bukchon and our Seoul temples and shrines guide.
7. Han River — Crash Landing, Goblin, Itaewon Class
The Han River appears in countless dramas. Crash Landing on You filmed Yoon Se-ri’s running scenes near Banpo. Goblin‘s buckwheat-flower meets at the river bank. Itaewon Class showed crucial scenes at Banpo Bridge.
- See our Han River activities guide
The Han River is less a single location than a recurring mood, but Banpo Hangang Park is the one to target: it’s where Crash Landing on You staged its riverside runs, and on summer evenings the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain puts on a free light-and-water show straight out of a romance montage. Rent a bike, grab convenience-store ramyeon and a picnic mat like the locals, and watch the sunset. Our Han River activities guide lists the best parks and what to do at each.
8. Itaewon — Itaewon Class
The drama “Itaewon Class” was set and filmed largely in Itaewon. The DanBam (now closed but the building remains) at Hooker Hill, Bogwang-dong streets, and the iconic Hamilton Hotel area all feature.
- Subway: Itaewon (Line 6)
- See our Yongsan guide
Walking the Itaewon Class strip is a slightly bittersweet pilgrimage — the fictional DanBam pub has closed, but the building and the steep Bogwang-dong streets remain instantly recognizable, and the wider neighborhood’s mix of global food and bars is a fun place to end a day. Come in the early evening for the on-screen neon glow. The area sits within our Itaewon guide and the broader Yongsan guide.
9. Ihwa Mural Village — My Love from the Star, Rooftop Prince
Hilltop neighborhood with painted murals near Naksan Park. Featured in romantic K-dramas from the 2010s.
- Subway: Hyehwa (Line 4), Exit 2
10. Namsan Tower & Cable Car — DOTS, Goblin, Memories of the Alhambra
The N Seoul Tower love-locks scene appears in many romance dramas including “Descendants of the Sun” and “My Love from the Star.” Cable-car rides are filmed for date scenes.
The walk or cable-car ride up Namsan to the tower is a date-scene staple, and the terraces fenced with thousands of padlocked “love locks” are pure K-drama shorthand for a couple making it official. Go at sunset for the city-to-night transition, bring a lock if you’re feeling sentimental, and consider walking down through the wooded Namsan park paths that themselves appear in countless shows. It’s an easy add-on to a Myeongdong afternoon — see our Myeongdong guide.
11. Common Ground (Konkuk) — She Was Pretty, Strong Woman
The shipping-container retail complex near Konkuk Univ. Station featured in lifestyle K-dramas.
12. Garosu-gil (Apgujeong) — Many Dramas
The tree-lined café strip in Apgujeong appears in coffee-date scenes across romance K-dramas.
- Subway: Sinsa (Line 3), Exit 8
Garosu-gil’s appeal on a K-drama trail is its everyday glamour — the kind of tree-lined café strip where on-screen couples bump into each other over coffee. Come for brunch, browse the boutiques, and you’re essentially living a romance-drama montage. The genuinely interesting shops have migrated one street over to “Serosu-gil,” and the whole area pairs naturally with the K-pop label geography of our Gangnam guide.
13. Sungkyunkwan University — Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Korea’s oldest university hosted the period drama bearing its name. Original Munmyo Shrine and adjacent academy buildings still standing.
14. Lotte World — Stairway to Heaven, You Are My Sunshine
The indoor theme park appears in many “first date” scenes in romantic K-dramas.
- Subway: Jamsil (Line 2/8)
Lotte World’s indoor rink and parade route have hosted “first date” scenes since the Stairway to Heaven era, and the all-weather setting makes it a reliable rainy-day pilgrimage. The adjacent Seokchon Lake — ringed with cherry blossoms each April — and Lotte World Tower round out a full Jamsil day that mixes drama nostalgia with genuinely fun attractions.
15. Ssangmun-dong — Squid Game, Reply 1988
The residential neighborhood in Dobong-gu where Gi-hun lives in Squid Game. The same area was the setting for nostalgic family drama Reply 1988. The narrow stair-lined alleys remain authentic.
- Subway: Ssangmun (Line 4)
Ssangmun-dong rewards fans willing to go off the tourist track: these are ordinary, lived-in Dobong-gu alleys, the same nostalgic backdrop that made Reply 1988 feel so real and where Gi-hun’s story begins in Squid Game. There’s little “to see” in the tourist sense — the appeal is simply standing in the unglamorous, authentic Seoul that so many dramas use for their emotional beats. Keep your voice down and your camera respectful; people live here.
K-Drama Filming Locations by Show
Here’s a quick reference that flips the map around — grouped by show, so you can build a pilgrimage around your personal favorite. Mix and match these into the area-based day routes further down; most fans happily combine two or three shows in a single day since the sites overlap geographically.
Squid Game
- Yangjae Citizens’ Forest Station — recruitment scene
- Ssangmun-dong — Gi-hun’s home
- Olympic Park — Young-hee doll
- Tapgol Park — Season 3
Crash Landing on You
- Banpo Hangang Park — Se-ri’s running scenes
- Cheonggyecheon — couple walks
- Various Gangnam restaurants — meetings
Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God)
- Cheonggyecheon Stream
- Bukchon Hanok Village
- Han River pedestrian bridges
Itaewon Class
- Itaewon main strip
- Hooker Hill area (DanBam)
- Banpo Bridge
Vincenzo
- Sejong-ro government district
- Cheonggyecheon Stream
Reply 1988
- Ssangmun-dong residential alleys
- Old-school Seoul markets
Mr. Sunshine
- Gyeongbokgung & Deoksugung Palaces
- Bukchon hanok
- Coastal scenes outside Seoul
Boys Over Flowers
- Lotte World (date scenes)
- Various Gangnam high-end venues
The Glory
- Cheonggyecheon
- Specific Gangnam offices
My Love from the Star
- Ihwa Mural Village
- N Seoul Tower
- Various Hannam restaurants
New K-Drama Filming Locations Seoul Added Recently
Seoul’s filming map refreshes with every breakout hit, and the late-2024 and 2025 wave gave fans fresh pilgrimage targets. The return of Squid Game for its second and third seasons sent fans back to the show’s Seoul touchpoints and spawned new official photo zones and pop-ups around the city. Mega-hit romance Queen of Tears leaned on glossy department-store and luxury-district settings that fans have been geotagging on Naver Maps. Time-slip favorite Lovely Runner, revenge drama Marry My Husband, and the period monster series Gyeongseong Creature (set in 1945 “Gyeongseong,” old Seoul) all added to the map, the latter mostly via constructed sets rather than walk-up streets.
The smart way to chase the newest locations is to go to the source rather than rely on any single list: search the Korean drama title plus 촬영지 (chwal-yeong-ji, “filming location”) on Naver Maps, cross-check the geotag against fan posts on Naver Café (Papago translates them), and grab the Seoul Tourism Organization’s annually updated K-content map from any tourist information center. Because hit dramas come and go, this DIY method keeps you current long after any guide is published. For the wider fandom calendar of concerts, pop-ups, and events, see our K-pop concerts and events guide.
K-Drama-Themed Cafés and Spots
- Café Nine and Three Quarters (Hongdae) — Reply 1988 themed
- Itaewon Class Pop-Up Café — limited but recurring
- Boys Over Flowers Café — themed in Apgujeong
- Squid Game-themed Olive Young pop-ups
- Goblin’s Buckwheat-Flower Café
The themed-café scene is delightfully fluid — pop-ups appear to ride a hit drama’s wave and vanish a few months later, so check current listings on Naver or Instagram before making a special trip. The reliable evergreen options are the Reply 1988-style retro cafés around Hongdae and the recurring Squid Game and Goblin pop-ups that big brands stage during new-season hype. For the broader café culture these spots draw on, see our Seoul café guide.
Suggested K-Drama Pilgrimage Itineraries
Squid Game Day
- Yangjae Citizens’ Forest Station — ddakji scene
- Olympic Park — Young-hee doll
- Tapgol Park — Season 3
- Ssangmun-dong — Gi-hun’s residential alleys
Romance K-Drama Day
- Banpo Hangang Park — Crash Landing
- Cheonggyecheon — Goblin walks
- N Seoul Tower love locks
- Itaewon Class strip in evening
Historical Drama Day
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Bukchon Hanok Village
- Sungkyunkwan University
- Insadong evening
On cost and effort: self-guided is free beyond your subway fare and works well for the headline sites, which are easy to find and often signposted. Organized K-drama tours from operators like Trazy, Klook, and KKday typically run from around ₩50,000 for a half-day group walk to more for private or far-flung itineraries, and they earn their price when you want bilingual context, door-to-door transport between scattered spots, or access to a set you can’t reach on your own. Many fans do a mix — a guided day for the deep cuts, self-guided for the famous ones. Whatever you choose, a T-money card and the Naver Maps app are all the tech you really need; our Seoul travel apps guide lists the rest.
How to Find K-Drama Filming Locations
- Seoul Tourism Organization official maps — published annually, free at info centers
- Korean fan blogs (Naver Café) — most accurate; use Papago to translate
- Trazy K-drama tour — guided experience with English bilingual host
- Klook K-drama themed itineraries — themed half-day tours
- Naver Maps geotagging — search “[drama name] 촬영지”
Tips for K-Drama Filming Pilgrimage
- Re-watch your favorite show shortly before to remember exact scenes
- Bring screenshots for posing reference
- Wear comfortable shoes — many sites involve walking and stairs
- Respect residents at residential locations like Ssangmun-dong, Bukchon
- Some sites no longer exist — DanBam from Itaewon Class closed; check before visiting
- Photograph during filming-friendly hours (golden hour 5–7 PM)
- Free walking tours from Seoul Tourism Organization sometimes include K-drama spots
Hanbok, photos and a smart self-guided route
A little planning turns a scattershot list of sites into a satisfying day. Cluster by geography rather than by show: the historic core (Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon, Cheonggyecheon, Insadong) is one walkable day; the southern sights (Olympic Park, Lotte World, Yangjae) form another; and the romance trail (Banpo Han River, Namsan Tower, Itaewon) makes a great evening. Rent a hanbok for the palace-and-hanok day — free palace entry plus the best photos — and wear genuinely comfortable shoes, because Bukchon, Ihwa, and Ssangmun all involve hills and stairs. Re-watch a couple of key episodes the night before so you recognize the exact frames, and screenshot the scenes you want to recreate for posing reference. Most importantly, read the room at residential locations: Bukchon and Ssangmun are real neighborhoods, not sets, so keep noise down and don’t photograph into people’s homes. To weave these days into a full trip, our Seoul itineraries and things to do in Seoul guides slot the pilgrimage around the rest of the city.
One last craft tip for the photos themselves: golden hour (roughly 5–7 PM) flatters the outdoor sites, palace courtyards photograph best in early morning before the crowds, and Cheonggyecheon and Namsan come alive after dark when the lights match the dramas’ nighttime mood. Bring screenshots of the exact scenes for framing reference, and a portable charger — a full pilgrimage day eats battery fast between maps and photos.
Drama Theme Parks and Studios
- Suwon Hwaseong / Yongin Daejanggeum Park — historical-drama outdoor sets (just outside Seoul)
- MBC Munhwa Broadcasting in Sangam — sometimes runs studio tours
- SBS / KBS / JTBC — public broadcasting tour reservations available
K-drama filming locations just outside Seoul
Some of the most beloved on-screen backdrops sit a short train or bus ride beyond the city, and they make excellent day trips if you have time. Nami Island (Gapyeong/Chuncheon), the tree-lined islet immortalized by the classic Winter Sonata, remains a romantic-drama icon and is reachable in about 90 minutes via the ITX train or a tour bus — combine it with the nearby Garden of Morning Calm and the storybook Petite France, both frequent drama backdrops. South of the city, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage site, ~40 minutes by Line 1) doubles as a sprawling open-air sageuk set, while the Yongin Daejanggeum Park (MBC Dramia) is a purpose-built historical-drama backlot where many palace and village scenes are actually filmed.
These out-of-town sites are where you’ll find the period dramas’ grandest exteriors, since central Seoul’s real palaces can only be closed off for filming so often. Most are easy to reach by public transport, but a half-day tour can be worth it to link several in one trip without the logistics. To plan around them, our Seoul itineraries and getting around Seoul guides cover the trains and passes you’ll need.
K-Drama Festivals and 2026 Events
- Seoul Drama Awards (September)
- Asia Artist Awards (December)
- Korea Brand & Entertainment Expo (October)
- Drama-themed pop-ups in Seongsu and Hongdae year-round
If you specifically want to see how the period dramas are made, the outdoor historical sets are the payoff: Yongin’s Daejanggeum Park and the Suwon Hwaseong area have hosted a huge share of Korea’s sageuk, and walking their recreated palace courtyards and market streets is the closest thing to stepping onto a working set. Several broadcasters (KBS, MBC, SBS) also run occasional studio tours by reservation — check their official sites for current availability, as schedules change seasonally.
What are the newest K-drama filming locations in Seoul?
The Squid Game seasons 2–3 sites and photo zones, plus settings from 2024–2025 hits like Queen of Tears, Lovely Runner, and Marry My Husband. Search the drama title plus 촬영지 on Naver Maps for exact, up-to-date geotags.
Can I visit K-drama filming locations for free?
Most are free — Cheonggyecheon, the Han River parks, Namsan’s outdoor terraces, Olympic Park, and residential streets like Bukchon and Ssangmun. Palaces cost about ₩3,000 (free in hanbok), and theme parks and the N Seoul Tower observatory charge admission.
How do I plan a K-drama filming locations Seoul day?
Cluster sites by area, not by show: pair Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon, and Cheonggyecheon for a historic-drama day, or Banpo Han River, Namsan Tower, and Itaewon for a romance-drama evening. Our Seoul itineraries help.
Should I book a guided K-drama tour or go solo?
Solo works fine for the famous, well-signposted sites using subway and Naver Maps. Book a guided tour (Trazy, Klook) if you want bilingual context, transport between far-flung spots, or access to a set you can’t reach independently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Squid Game filmed in Seoul?
Yangjae Citizens’ Forest Station, Ssangmun-dong, Olympic Park, and Tapgol Park (Season 3).
Can I visit the Squid Game Young-hee doll?
Yes — at Olympic Park’s 88 Grass Field, free entry.
Where was Crash Landing on You filmed?
Banpo Hangang Park, Cheonggyecheon, and various Gangnam restaurants in Seoul.
Are K-drama filming locations free to visit?
Most are. Palaces (₩3,000) and theme parks have admission.
Are guided K-drama tours worth it?
Yes if you want detailed historical context. Self-guided also works for popular sites.
Can I see drama-set studios?
Some yes — Suwon Hwaseong and Yongin Daejanggeum Park outside Seoul. Public broadcasters sometimes offer studio tours.
What’s the best K-drama Seoul tour for one day?
Combine Squid Game pilgrimage (Olympic Park + Yangjae) with Crash Landing on You (Han River) — a complete day with two iconic shows.
Are filming-location addresses public?
Yes — Seoul Tourism Organization publishes K-content tourism maps annually.
Is Itaewon Class’ DanBam still open?
The original location closed but the exterior building still stands and remains a fan photo spot.
What is the most-filmed Seoul location?
Cheonggyecheon Stream — appears in dozens of dramas and music videos.
Final Thoughts
Seoul’s K-drama filming-location landscape is unmatched anywhere. Whether you’re chasing Squid Game’s Young-hee, Goblin’s romance, or Itaewon Class’ bar, the city makes pilgrimage easy via subway and free maps. Pair this with our K-pop filming locations Seoul, the broader K-pop & K-culture hub, and our Seoul itineraries for a complete fandom trip.
