K-Drama Filming Locations in South Korea: Where the Scenes Were Shot

South Korea’s drama industry has turned significant stretches of the country’s landscape into recognisable set pieces. Certain markets, universities, coastal towns, and urban alleys appear across multiple dramas - not just once. This guide covers the most visited K-drama filming locations by show and region, with practical access details for each.

Seoul Locations

Bukchon Hanok Village - Multiple Dramas

Bukchon’s preserved hanok alleys appear in dozens of productions - the area’s combination of traditional rooflines against the city skyline is immediately cinematic. Specific spots within Bukchon:

• Bukchon View 8 (a narrow alley with a view down to central Seoul) appears in My Love from the Star, Boys Over Flowers remake sequences, and various period dramas. The exact address is Gahoe-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu. Arrive before 09:00 or after 19:00 to avoid peak crowds.
• Bukchon Hanok Village Exhibition Hall (free entry) shows the area’s filming history alongside its history as a residential district.

Getting there: Metro Line 3 to Anguk Station Exit 2, then 10-minute walk. Free to enter.

Ihwa Mural Village - My Mister (2018)

The steep residential alleys of Ihwa-dong near Naksan Park feature in My Mister as the neighbourhood of the lead character’s life. The mural village itself (known for its painted alley art) is a separate identity from the drama use, but the area’s authentic working-class atmosphere made it ideal for the show’s tone.

Getting there: Metro Line 4 to Hyehwa Station Exit 2, then 15-minute walk uphill.

Namsangol Hanok Village - Moon Embracing the Sun (2012), Mr. Sunshine (2018)

Reconstructed hanok complex in central Seoul used repeatedly for period drama scenes. The wooden village setting, lanterns, and stone paths appear across multiple historical productions.

Getting there: Metro Line 3/4 to Chungmuro Station Exit 3/4. Open Tuesday–Sunday 09:00–18:00 (19:00 in summer). Free entry.

Ewha Womans University - You Who Came from the Stars (2013)

The university’s main campus, particularly the dramatic glass-and-stone library designed by Dominique Perrault, appears prominently in this drama. The sunken courtyard and campus architecture are a popular photo stop. The campus is open to visitors during university hours.

Getting there: Metro Line 2 to Ewha Womans University Station Exit 3.

Lotte World Tower Area - Crash Course in Romance (2023)

The Lotte World Tower observation deck and the surrounding Lotte World theme park complex feature in recent dramas. The tower is the tallest building in Korea - observation deck entry costs KRW 29,000 (USD 21) for adults. Views from the top floor are used in romantic scene establishing shots in multiple productions.

Getting there: Metro Line 2/8 to Jamsil Station Exit 1.

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Incheon Locations

Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village - Goblin (2016)

The colourful murals and European-styled buildings of Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village were used in Goblin (also known as Guardian: The Lonely and Great God) for the scenes of the lead character’s everyday neighbourhood. The village was repainted and renovated partly in response to drama tourism interest.

Getting there: From Incheon Airport or Incheon Station (AREX or KTX), take the Incheon Metro Line 1 to Dong-incheon Station, then taxi (10 minutes, approximately KRW 5,000). Open year-round, no entry fee.

Chinatown and Open Port Area - Mr. Sunshine (2018)

Incheon’s Chinatown and the adjacent Jemulpo area (Korea’s first treaty port, opened 1883) served as location for early-20th-century sequences in Mr. Sunshine. The preserved colonial-era architecture and Chinese trading house buildings have strong period visual appeal.

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Outside Seoul

Nami Island (Namiseom) - Winter Sonata (2002)

Winter Sonata is the drama most credited with launching Korean Wave tourism internationally. Nami Island, a half-moon shaped river island in Chuncheon (90 minutes from Seoul), is where the drama’s most reproduced winter scenes were filmed. The road of Metasequoia trees turning snow-covered became an iconic image. The island has dedicated Winter Sonata statues and display boards at the filming spots.

Entry fee: KRW 16,000 adults (USD 12), including the short ferry crossing. Getting there: ITX train from Seoul Cheongnyangni Station to Gapyeong Station (approx. 75 minutes), then taxi or shuttle to the ferry terminal.

Jumunjin Beach, Gangneung - Goblin (2016)

The beach scene at the end of episode one - the female lead standing on a windswept grey beach - was filmed at Jumunjin Port and beach near Gangneung on the east coast. This specific sequence became one of the most replicated photo spots in Korean drama tourism. The beach is fully public and accessible.

Getting there: KTX from Seoul to Gangneung (2 hours), then taxi to Jumunjin Beach (approximately 20 minutes, KRW 15,000–20,000 by taxi).

Sokcho - Crash Landing on You (2019)

Sokcho appears in Crash Landing on You as the coastal location for key domestic scenes. The port area, Abai Village, and the city’s traditional market (Jungang Market) all appear. The show significantly boosted Sokcho’s domestic and international tourism. The Abai Village sand ferry and the market’s order-at-the-stall atmosphere are still intact.

Getting there: Express bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Sokcho (approximately 2 hours 30 minutes, KRW 15,000–19,000 one way).

Jeju Island - My Girlfriend is a Gumiho (2010), The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016)

Multiple Jeju locations feature across drama history. Jeju’s coastal cliffs, Seongsan Ilchulbong, and the road approaching Hallasan are visually distinct enough from the mainland that the island reads differently on screen. The Legend of the Blue Sea used Jeju’s underwater and coastal sequences. The Seongsan Ilchulbong crater and surrounding beaches are easily identifiable from both shows.

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Drama Studios (Purpose-Built Sets)

Mungyeong Traditional Culture Center (문경전통찻사발축제)

A large open-air historical set in North Gyeongsang Province used as a backdrop for palace and village scenes in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016) and multiple other historical dramas. The reconstructed streets, wells, and market areas are maintained as a visitor attraction.

Getting there: 2.5–3 hours from Seoul by express bus to Mungyeong, then taxi. Entry: Approximately KRW 3,000 (USD 2.20).

MBC World (Sangam, Seoul)

MBC’s studio complex in the Sangam media district includes a theme park section open to visitors (approximately KRW 22,000–25,000 adult entry) with recreated drama sets from flagship MBC productions. Worth visiting if you are a specific MBC drama fan - the sets are not open sets from active productions, but rather maintained replicas.

Getting there: Metro Line 6 to World Cup Stadium Station Exit 1.

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Planning a K-Drama Location Trip

A dedicated drama location tour from Seoul can cover Bukchon, Ewha, Namsangol, and one or two specific urban spots in a half-day. For out-of-Seoul locations (Nami Island, Sokcho, Gangneung), plan a full day or overnight trip.

The Korea Tourism Organisation runs a K-drama location finder at visitkorea.or.kr - searchable by drama name, city, or location type. This is the most reliable public resource for confirmed shoot addresses, as fan accounts sometimes misidentify locations.

A guided K-drama filming locations tour in Seoul is the most efficient way to visit multiple locations without navigating independently - particularly for Bukchon where the specific alleys are not always on mapping apps.

Travel between major drama locations (Seoul to Gangneung to Sokcho to Nami Island) is manageable by KTX and express bus without renting a car. For the Incheon locations, add them to an airport transit stop on arrival or departure day. For tours available to book the same day, check our last-minute tours page for current availability.