K-Drama Filming Locations in Korea: The Ultimate Fan Travel Guide 2026

Updated for March 2026

Korean drama tourism has become a global phenomenon. Fans fly from every continent to stand at the exact spot where their favorite couple shared a first kiss, where a villain made their entrance, or where a beloved character looked out over the city in quiet contemplation. The Korean tourism industry estimates that a single hit drama can draw hundreds of thousands of fans to a filming location within a year of broadcast.

This guide covers the most visited K-drama locations across Korea, organized by drama and by region. Whether you are a devoted fan of a single series or a general K-drama enthusiast looking to maximize the number of recognizable spots per trip, you will find exact locations, practical access information, and what to expect when you arrive.

🎬 Seoul Locations

Goblin (도깨비, 2016–2017)

Guardian: The Lonely and Great God — universally known as Goblin — remains one of the highest-rated K-dramas ever broadcast and transformed several of its filming locations into pilgrimage sites overnight.

Sinchon Underpass (신촌 지하 차도) The dramatic opening sequence of Goblin was filmed in the underpass beneath Sinchon (신촌) in western Seoul. The image of Gong Yoo (공유) walking through the tunnel backlit by golden light became one of the most iconic visual moments in K-drama history. The underpass is fully accessible and exactly as it appears in the drama. - Access: Sinchon Station (신촌역), Line 2, Exit 3. The underpass is immediately adjacent.

Deoksugung Stone Wall Road (덕수궁 돌담길) The stone wall road running alongside Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁) — particularly the western stretch toward the British Embassy — was used for the pivotal winter meeting scenes between Goblin and Eun-tak. The combination of stone wall, bare winter trees, and early spring blossoms makes this one of Seoul's most atmospheric walkways in any season. - Access: City Hall Station (시청역), Line 1 or 2, Exit 2.

Incheon Chinatown (인천 차이나타운) Several key scenes were filmed in Incheon's historic Chinatown (차이나타운), a 20-minute journey from Seoul by subway. The red Chinese-style gateways, lantern-lit streets, and the sweep of the harbor create a visually distinctive atmosphere. The nearby Jayu Park (자유공원) and the historic Japanese Concession buildings add further context. - Access: Incheon Station (인천역), Line 1 (end of the line from Seoul).

Crash Landing on You (사랑의 불시착, 2019–2020)

Seongsu-dong Café District (성수동) Multiple scenes featuring Yoon Se-ri's Seoul life were filmed in the converted-warehouse café district of Seongsu-dong. The neighborhood's industrial aesthetic — brick factories, high ceilings, metal beams — served as the visual language of her character's sophisticated urban identity.

Hangang River Parks (한강공원) Several romantic river scenes were filmed at Banpo Hangang Park (반포한강공원) and the surrounding riverside promenades. The Moonlight Rainbow Fountain (달빛무지개분수) at Banpo Bridge appears in background shots. - Access: Express Bus Terminal Station (고속버스터미널역), Line 3 or 7, then short walk to the river.

Yongpyong Resort (용평리조트), Gangwon Province The ski resort scenes were filmed at Yongpyong — the same resort featured in Winter Sonata. The gondola, slopes, and resort village appear extensively. Yongpyong is a 2-hour journey from Seoul by train to Jinbu Station (진부역) followed by a resort shuttle.

Squid Game (오징어 게임, 2021–present)

Ssangmun-dong (쌍문동) Staircase The staircase that featured prominently in the pink-suited guard sequences was filmed in a residential area of Ssangmun-dong in northern Seoul. The specific location — a narrow, angular staircase between apartment buildings — has become one of Seoul's most visited drama sites. Photography is possible but the area is a working residential neighborhood; respectful visiting is essential. - Access: Ssangmun Station (쌍문역), Line 4, Exit 2. Approximately 10 minutes walk.

Daehangno (대학로) Area The area around Daehangno — Seoul's theater district — appears in several Season 1 street scenes and was used for exterior shots of Gi-hun's neighborhood.

My Love from the Star (별에서 온 그대, 2013–2014)

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) While many Joseon-era scenes were filmed on studio sets, Gyeongbokgung and its surrounding area feature in historical flashback sequences. The palace's northern garden areas and the traditional Bukchon neighborhood nearby were used for atmospheric exterior shots.

Hongdae Club District (홍대) The contemporary scenes in Cheon Song-yi's celebrity life were filmed extensively in the Hongdae area, with the entertainment industry and music venue settings drawn directly from the real neighborhood.

Itaewon Class (이태원 클라쓰, 2020)

Itaewon Main Street (이태원로) As the title suggests, Itaewon itself is the primary setting. The fictional "DanBam" bar was represented by multiple locations along Itaewon-ro and the surrounding streets. The real Itaewon district — particularly the Noksapyeong (녹사평) end — appeared extensively, and several specific bars and restaurants used as filming locations have become fan destinations.

Noksapyeong Station Underpass Area The staircase and underpass near Noksapyeong Station (녹사평역) feature in key dramatic moments and are easily accessible.

🌊 Outside Seoul

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (갯마을 차차차, 2021)

Pohang Homigot (포항 호미곶) Much of this beloved coastal drama was filmed in and around the actual fishing village of Gampo (감포) and the surrounding coastlines of North Gyeongsang Province (경상북도). The series placed a fictional village called Gongjin on the actual coastline near Pohang (포항), and the real harbor, seafood market, and clifftop paths appear throughout.

The Homigot Sunrise Plaza (호미곶 해맞이광장) — famous for the enormous bronze hand rising from the sea — appears in several scenes. Pohang is accessible by KTX from Seoul (approximately 2 hours 30 minutes).

Jumunjin (주문진) Port, Gangneung Several additional coastal scenes were filmed at Jumunjin Port (주문진항) in Gangneung (강릉), a charming working fishing harbor on the East Sea (동해). The red lighthouse (빨간 등대) at the harbor entrance appears in a pivotal scene and has become one of the drama's most iconic images. - Access: KTX from Seoul to Gangneung Station (강릉역) takes approximately 2 hours. Bus to Jumunjin from the station.

Winter Sonata (겨울연가, 2002)

Though broadcast over two decades ago, Winter Sonata remains the drama that established Korean drama tourism as a concept. Its filming locations continue to draw visitors — particularly from Japan and China.

Nami Island (남이섬) The tree-lined avenues of Nami Island (남이섬) — particularly the famous metasequoia path — were the definitive visual backdrop of the drama. The ferry crossing, the island's silence, and the avenue of trees remain largely unchanged from the drama's filming. Nami Island is 75 minutes from Seoul by train and ferry.

Yongpyong Resort (용평리조트) The ski resort scenes that defined the drama's romantic imagery were filmed here — the same resort later used in Crash Landing on You. A gondola ride in winter delivers views directly matching the drama's most famous images.

Chuncheon (춘천) Chuncheon (춘천), capital of Gangwon Province, served as the hometown setting. The city's lakes, tree-lined paths along Uiam Lake (의암호), and the Dakgalbi (닭갈비) restaurant district drew fans for years. Chuncheon is 70 minutes from Seoul by ITX train from Cheongnyangni Station (청량리역).

Signal (시그널, 2016)

Suwon Old Town (수원 구도심) Several key scenes from this critically acclaimed crime thriller were filmed in the historic areas of Suwon city, near Hwaseong Fortress. The period-authentic older streets provided the 1990s-era setting for flashback sequences.

Reply 1988 (응답하라 1988, 2015–2016)

Ssangmun-dong Donam Neighborhood (쌍문동 도남 일대) The entire series was filmed on a real neighborhood in Ssangmun-dong — a residential area of older low-rise homes and narrow alleys in northern Seoul. The filming location has been preserved as a visitor destination with the original alley recreated as a cultural walk. This is one of the most genuinely immersive drama location experiences in Seoul — the neighborhood feels exactly as depicted. - Access: Ssangmun Station (쌍문역), Line 4.

🗺️ Practical Tips for K-Drama Location Visits

Research Before You Go

The Korean Tourism Organization (한국관광공사) maintains an official K-drama location database at visitkorea.or.kr with maps, exact addresses, and visiting information. The Where Was This Shot (이 장면 어디서?) feature on Naver is also useful for crowd-sourced location identification.

Respect Residential Areas

Several iconic drama filming locations are in working residential neighborhoods — Ssangmun-dong for both Squid Game and Reply 1988, and the Hanok Village areas for period dramas. Residents have varying tolerance for visitors and photography. Be quiet, do not block entrances, and treat the area as you would a private neighborhood.

Photography and Time of Day

Most locations photograph best in the same conditions as the drama itself — pay attention to lighting, season, and time of day when specific scenes were shot. The Sinchon underpass (Goblin) is most atmospheric at dusk. The Deoksugung Stone Wall (Goblin) is best in early morning before foot traffic. Nami Island's avenue is extraordinary on misty mornings.

Combine Locations Geographically

Group your K-drama location visits by region to minimize transit time: - Northern Seoul (Line 4): Ssangmun-dong (Squid Game, Reply 1988) - Central Seoul: Gyeongbokgung, Sinchon, Deoksugung, Itaewon - East Seoul: Seongsu-dong, Hangang parks - Gangwon Province: Nami Island, Yongpyong, Gangneung coast - Gyeongsang Province: Pohang coast, Jumunjin

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Which K-drama locations are worth visiting even for non-fans? Nami Island (beautiful in every season), Deoksugung Stone Wall Road (genuinely one of Seoul's finest walks), Itaewon (excellent neighborhood regardless of drama interest), and the Pohang coast (stunning natural scenery). These deliver value to any traveler, not just fans.

Q2: Are there organized K-drama tour packages? Yes — multiple tour operators offer K-drama location tours departing from Seoul, covering different dramas and regions. Popular platforms like KKday and Klook list these tours in English. Prices range from ₩30,000–80,000 per person for half-day or full-day tours including transport.

Q3: Can I visit drama filming locations in North Korea like in Crash Landing on You? No. The North Korean scenes in Crash Landing on You were filmed in Switzerland (the snowy village), Ganghwa Island (강화도) near Seoul, and on studio sets. None are actually in North Korea.

Q4: How do I find exactly where a specific scene was filmed? Search "[Drama name] filming location" (촬영지) on Naver — Korean-language results are the most comprehensive. The Instagram hashtag system using the Korean drama title + 촬영지 surfaces fan photographs with location tags. Naver Maps has a dedicated "drama filming location" category that can be searched directly.

Q5: Do the locations look the same as in the dramas? Popular locations are largely maintained in their filmed condition — particularly those managed by tourism authorities. Some locations have changed (buildings demolished, neighborhoods redeveloped), and some filming was done with set dressing that no longer exists. Managing expectations against reality is part of the drama tourism experience: the feelings the place evokes are usually more powerful than the exact visual match.