15 Iconic K-Drama Filming Locations in Seoul You Can Actually Visit
You’ve binged the show. You’ve saved every screenshot. Now you want to actually stand in those scenes — and Seoul makes that surprisingly easy. Unlike Hollywood sets locked behind studio gates, most K-drama filming locations are real neighborhoods, palaces, and cafes that anyone can walk into.
This guide covers 15 iconic K-drama filming spots in Seoul — complete with the dramas filmed there, how to get there, and whether a guided tour or DIY approach makes more sense. Short on planning time? K-drama Seoul filming location tours on Klook handle all the logistics for you, usually covering 5–8 locations in a single day.
K-drama filming locations Seoul
Quick Summary: K-Drama Filming Locations in Seoul
| Location | Famous Dramas | Neighborhood | Entrance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Namsangol Hanok Village | Mr. Sunshine, Joseon Exorcist | Jung-gu | Free |
| Gyeongbokgung Palace | Mr. Queen, Kingdom | Jongno-gu | ₩3,000 |
| Changdeokgung & Huwon | Jewel in the Palace | Jongno-gu | ₩8,000 |
| Bukchon Hanok Village | Boys Over Flowers | Jongno-gu | Free |
| Ihwa Mural Village | My Love from the Star | Jongno-gu | Free |
| DDP | Memories of the Alhambra | Jung-gu | Free (exterior) |
| Gwangjang Market | Itaewon Class, Vincenzo | Jongno-gu | Free |
| Hongdae | Crash Landing on You | Mapo-gu | Free |
| Nami Island | Winter Sonata | Chuncheon (day trip) | ₩16,000 |
| N Seoul Tower | My Love from the Star | Yongsan-gu | ₩21,000 |
| Petite France | My Love from the Star | Gapyeong (day trip) | ₩12,000 |
| Jogyesa Temple | Hi Bye Mama, Black | Jongno-gu | Free |
| Han River Banpo Bridge | The K2, Strong Woman | Seocho-gu | Free |
| Sindang Tteokbokki Town | Reply 1988 | Jung-gu | Free |
| Yeouido | Extraordinary Attorney Woo | Yeongdeungpo-gu | Free |
For official tourism resources and maps, Visit Seoul’s K-drama location guide is regularly updated and free to use.
Palaces & Historic Sites
1. Namsangol Hanok Village — Mr. Sunshine, Joseon Exorcist
Namsangol is the most accessible traditional village in central Seoul — free entry, well-maintained hanok buildings, and a pavilion pond that you’ll recognize immediately from Mr. Sunshine. The complex was used for multiple Joseon-era drama productions thanks to its authentic architecture and central location.
Getting there: Exit 3, Chungmuro Station (Lines 3 & 4)
Hours: 9am–9pm (Tuesday closed)
Tip: Go at sunset — the lighting here is exactly how it looks on screen
2. Gyeongbokgung Palace — Mr. Queen, Kingdom
Seoul’s largest and most restored palace has been the backdrop for dozens of K-dramas, most recently Mr. Queen (2020) and the zombie epic Kingdom. Renting a hanbok (traditional Korean dress) from nearby shops gets you free entry to the palace — a deal that also makes you feel like you’re actually in a period drama.
Getting there: Exit 5, Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3)
Entrance fee: ₩3,000 (free with hanbok rental)
Best photo spots: Geunjeongjeon throne hall, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion
3. Changdeokgung Palace & Huwon Secret Garden — Jewel in the Palace
Changdeokgung is UNESCO-listed and arguably more beautiful than Gyeongbokgung. The real prize is the Huwon Secret Garden — a 300-year-old rear garden that requires a separate guided tour ticket (available in English). This is the most cinematic palace in Seoul, used heavily in Jewel in the Palace (Dae Jang Geum), the drama that launched Korean Wave interest globally in 2003.
Getting there: Exit 3, Anguk Station (Line 3)
Huwon tour: ₩8,000 — book in advance on the official website
Romantic Neighborhoods & Streets
4. Bukchon Hanok Village — Boys Over Flowers, My Love from the Star
Bukchon’s winding alleys between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung are the most photographed neighborhood in Seoul. The famous Bukchon 8 Gyeongil viewpoint — the steep alley with a long row of hanok rooftops — appeared in Boys Over Flowers and has since become a K-drama pilgrimage site.
Getting there: Exit 2, Anguk Station (Line 3)
Important: Residents live here. Keep noise low, especially before 10am
Best time: Early weekday mornings — weekends are extremely crowded after 10am
5. Ihwa Mural Village — My Love from the Star, A Korean Odyssey
Perched on the slopes of Naksan Mountain, Ihwa Mural Village is a residential hillside neighborhood famous for its hand-painted murals. The uphill paths and rooftop views appeared in My Love from the Star (where the male lead’s penthouse overlooks the city) and several scenes in A Korean Odyssey.
Getting there: Exit 2, Hyehwa Station (Line 4), then 15 min walk
Tip: Combine with Naksan Park for a scenic evening walk
6. Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) — Memories of the Alhambra
The DDP’s alien-spaceship architecture was central to the plot of Memories of the Alhambra — the AR game in the drama frequently used DDP’s curved silver exterior as a battle ground. At night, the LED rose installation around the building makes it one of the most surreal and beautiful spots in Seoul.
Getting there: Exit 1, Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Lines 2, 4, 5)
Hours: Building 10am–9pm; exterior 24 hours
Night visit: Essential — the exterior lighting is stunning after dark
Cafes & Restaurants from Famous Dramas
7. Gwangjang Market — Itaewon Class, Vincenzo
Seoul’s oldest market has had a surge of international visitors since Itaewon Class featured a similar pojangmacha (street tent bar) scene. Vincenzo also used Gwangjang’s maze of fabric merchants and food stalls for atmosphere. Come hungry — bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) and mayak gimbap are the things to eat here.
Getting there: Exit 8, Jongno 5-ga Station (Line 1)
Best food stalls: Raw beef (yukhoe) section, bindaetteok alley
Prefer a local to navigate this for you? Browse K-drama Seoul tours on Klook — many include a street food stop at Gwangjang or a nearby traditional market as part of the itinerary.
8. Hongdae Street & Café District — Crash Landing on You, Itaewon Class
Hongdae’s cafe-dense streets and street performance plazas showed up repeatedly in Crash Landing on You and Itaewon Class. The area around Hongdae Playground and the narrow streets south of Exit 9 are the most drama-recognizable. While you’re here, the best cafes in Hongdae for couples are some of Seoul’s most creative and affordable.
Getting there: Exit 9, Hongdae Station (Line 2, Airport Railroad, Gyeongui-Jungang Line)
Evening vibe: Buskers perform from 7pm most weekends — this is peak Hongdae atmosphere
Parks, Bridges & Outdoor Spots
9. Nami Island — Winter Sonata
This is the one that started the Korean Wave. Winter Sonata (2002) turned Nami Island into the most internationally recognized K-drama location in South Korea. The island’s long tree-lined paths — especially the famous Italian Poplar Road — are still exactly as they appeared on screen, now with a well-run tourist infrastructure to match the demand.
Getting there: ITX train from Yongsan to Gapyeong (1 hr), then ferry (5 min)
Entrance: ₩16,000 (includes ferry)
Day trip: Allow 4–5 hours total from Seoul. Take the ITX from Seoul Station for the easiest connection.
10. N Seoul Tower (Namsan) — My Love from the Star, Boys Over Flowers
The tower and the cable car approach appeared in multiple major dramas, but N Seoul Tower is also famous for the love lock fence — thousands of padlocks left by couples, a tradition popularized in K-dramas. The view of Seoul from the observation deck is the best in the city.
Getting there: Namsan Cable Car from Myeongdong, or bus 02 from Chungmuro
Observation deck: ₩21,000
Tip: After visiting the tower, grab food at the best street food in Myeongdong — it’s a 15-minute walk downhill
11. Petite France — My Love from the Star, Secret Garden
This French-themed cultural village an hour outside Seoul appeared in both My Love from the Star and Secret Garden. It’s best combined with Nami Island on the same day trip — both are accessible from Gapyeong Station.
Getting there: ITX to Gapyeong, then shuttle bus
Entrance: ₩12,000
Best combo: Petite France in the morning + Nami Island afternoon
12. Jogyesa Temple — Hi Bye, Mama!, Black
Seoul’s most important Buddhist temple is right in the city center and free to visit. The 500-year-old white pine tree in the courtyard and the lantern-covered approach have appeared in multiple dramas dealing with themes of life and death — most recently Hi Bye, Mama! (2020). The contrast between the serene temple grounds and the surrounding busy streets is uniquely Seoul.
Getting there: Exit 2, Anguk Station (Line 3)
Hours: Open 24 hours (main hall closes 10pm)
Free: No entrance fee
13. Han River (Banpo Bridge) — The K2, Strong Woman Do Bong-soon
Banpo Bridge’s famous Rainbow Fountain — the world’s longest bridge fountain — appeared in the action drama The K2 and multiple scenes in Strong Woman Do Bong-soon. The fountain runs on set schedules in warmer months and is one of Seoul’s most spectacular free shows.
Getting there: Exit 8-1, Express Bus Terminal Station (Lines 3, 7, 9)
Fountain schedule: Spring/Summer, multiple shows daily (check Seoul city website for current times)
Hangang Park access: Free, open 24 hours
14. Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town — Reply 1988, Street Woman Fighter
This dedicated tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) alley in Sindang-dong has been serving the same dish since the 1950s. It appeared in Reply 1988 as the kind of unpretentious neighborhood food spot that defined that era — and it genuinely still feels that way. A short walk from Dongdaemun makes this an easy add-on.
Getting there: Exit 7, Sindang Station (Lines 2 & 6)
Price: ₩4,000–₩6,000 per portion
Tip: Lunch crowds are lighter than dinner. Go around noon.
15. Yeouido — Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Start-Up
Yeouido’s spring cherry blossom festival and the business district around the National Assembly building appeared prominently in Extraordinary Attorney Woo (the whale scenes were filmed near the park) and Start-Up. The Yeouido Hangang Park section here is also one of the best Han River picnic spots in the city.
Getting there: Exit 5, Yeouido Station (Line 5 & 9)
Best time: Cherry blossom season (late March–mid April) when the walkway is lined with pink trees
How to Plan Your K-Drama Seoul Tour
Option 1: DIY self-guided tour
Group locations by neighborhood for efficiency:
- Day 1 — Historic Center: Gyeongbokgung → Bukchon → Ihwa Mural Village → Jogyesa Temple
- Day 2 — Riverside & Modern: Hongdae → Han River Banpo → Yeouido → DDP at night
- Day 3 — Day trips: Nami Island + Petite France
Option 2: Guided K-drama tour
If you want someone to handle navigation, context, and behind-the-scenes stories, find a guided K-drama tour on Klook — most run half-day (4–5 hours) or full-day (8 hours) and cover 5–8 major locations with an English-speaking guide who knows the exact scenes filmed at each spot.
Getting around Seoul:
The subway reaches every location on this list (except Nami Island and Petite France, which need the ITX train). Buy a T-money transit card at any convenience store — ₩2,500 base card + top up as needed. A single metro ride is ₩1,400–₩1,600.
What to wear:
Renting a hanbok is one of the best decisions you can make for palace visits — it gives you free entry at Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and several other palace sites, and photographs beautifully against the traditional architecture. Hanbok rental shops are concentrated around Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit all 15 K-drama filming locations in Seoul in one trip?
Yes — 12 of the 15 are within Seoul proper and reachable by subway. Nami Island, Petite France, and Gapyeong require a day trip (about 1.5 hours from central Seoul via ITX train). Realistically, plan 3–4 days to do justice to the Seoul locations plus one day-trip day.
Do I need a guide to visit K-drama filming locations in Seoul?
Not necessarily. Most locations are publicly accessible and well-signed. However, a guide adds meaningful value: they know exactly which corner of Bukchon was in which scene, can share production stories, and handle the logistics of getting between spots efficiently.
Which K-drama filming location is most worth visiting?
For first-time visitors: Gyeongbokgung Palace (rent a hanbok, free entry, guaranteed drama atmosphere). For serious K-drama fans: Nami Island — it’s a half-day commitment but the most iconic single location in K-drama history.
Is the DDP from Memories of the Alhambra actually in Seoul?
Yes — Dongdaemun Design Plaza is in central Seoul (Dongdaemun district). Unlike the Spanish segments of the drama, the Seoul scenes were filmed at real Seoul locations, with DDP being the most prominent.
Are K-drama filming locations free to visit?
Many are free (Bukchon, Ihwa Village, Hongdae, Han River, Jogyesa Temple, DDP exterior, Sindang-dong). Palaces charge ₩3,000–₩8,000, N Seoul Tower costs ₩21,000, and the day-trip sites (Nami Island, Petite France) have entrance fees of ₩12,000–₩16,000.
What’s the best time of year for a K-drama tour in Seoul?
Spring (late March–May) and autumn (October–November) are ideal — mild temperatures, beautiful foliage or cherry blossoms, and the dramatic lighting that makes everything look cinematic. Summer is hot and humid but manageable. Winter has the Winter Sonata aesthetic at Nami Island if you’re chasing that specific vibe.
Wrap-Up: Your K-Drama Seoul Itinerary Starts Here
Seoul is genuinely one of the most film-friendly cities in the world for tourists — the locations are real, accessible, and often more beautiful in person than they appear on screen. Whether you’re retracing Winter Sonata steps at Nami Island or hunting for the exact alley from Boys Over Flowers, every spot on this list is worth your time.
Start planning with the Visit Seoul K-drama location resource for official maps and event updates — they frequently run K-drama themed walking tours and pop-up events tied to new releases.
And if you’d rather let someone else handle the planning, find a guided K-drama tour on Klook — you’ll cover more ground, get better stories, and spend your energy on the experience rather than navigation.
See you on set.