K-Drama Filming Locations: A Travel Guide to Walking Into Your Favourite Scenes

Finishing a favourite drama leaves a strange emptiness. The paths the leads walked, the beach where they parted, the alley where they first met — they won't leave your head. Sooner or later, many K-drama fans come to the same conclusion: "I want to go there myself."

In fact, filming-location travel is one of the big trends in Korean tourism. Ever since overseas visitors flocked to Nami Island after Winter Sonata in the early 2000s, filming locations have become new attractions whenever a drama hits big. In this guide we introduce the best-known K-drama filming locations by region, explain how to plan an efficient route and cover the etiquette you should follow when visiting. Let's plan a trip to see those scenes with your own eyes.

Why filming-location trips are special

Visiting a filming location is different from simply going somewhere famous. Walk along a beach recalling a drama scene and the place becomes a space filled with story. Sit on the bench where the lead once sat, play the OST, and feelings from a show you watched years ago can come flooding back.

Another appeal is that it takes you to places you'd never otherwise visit. Beyond big cities like Seoul and Busan, many travellers set off for a small seaside village or a single old tree in the countryside because of a drama. Dramas become guidebooks to discovering Korea's many regions.

How to prepare

Check exact locations

Drama scenes are often edited together from several locations: a house's exterior in one neighbourhood, its interior on a set and the alley outside somewhere else entirely. So it pays to confirm exact filming spots in advance. The Korea Tourism Organization's official site and local government tourism pages often list filming locations, and maps compiled by fans are a big help too.

Save screenshots

Recreating a shot from the same angle is one of the joys of a filming-location trip. Save screenshots of the scenes you want on your phone, and you'll find the exact spot and angle more easily on site.

Set or real place?

Historical and fantasy dramas are often shot on large sets. Some sets open to tourists after filming, but others are dismantled or closed to the public. Always check whether a set is open before you go.

Filming locations in Seoul

Bukchon and the alleys of Gahoe-dong

Bukchon, with its clusters of hanok, has been the backdrop for countless dramas and films. Alleys of tiled roofs with downtown towers rising beyond the hill are a go-to image for "Seoul, where tradition and modernity coexist". Bukchon is a residential neighbourhood, though, and some zones restrict visiting hours, so stick to the permitted times and explore quietly.

Itaewon and the Noksapyeong overpass

Itaewon Class (JTBC, 2020) is set, as the title says, in Itaewon. The pedestrian overpass near Noksapyeong Station where the lead often stood has become a photo spot for fans, and Itaewon's sloping alleys and international restaurants let you feel the drama's atmosphere first-hand.

Ssangmun-dong

Reply 1988 is set in Ssangmun-dong, Dobong-gu. The drama's alley was mostly shot on a set, but Ssangmun-dong has become a symbolic name evoking working-class Seoul in 1988. The protagonist of Squid Game is also from Ssangmun-dong, so the neighbourhood rings a bell for many K-drama fans.

The Han River and city parks

Han River parks appear constantly: couples strolling, friends sharing worries over chicken and beer. Rather than a specific drama location, they're where you can experience "everyday Seoul as seen in K-dramas" — well worth a stop.

Filming locations in Gyeonggi and Gangwon

Nami Island: where drama tourism began

Nami Island, floating in the Bukhan River near Chuncheon, was a main filming location for Winter Sonata, broadcast in 2002. As the drama became a huge hit in Japan and across Asia, Nami Island became a symbol of Korean Wave tourism. Its long avenue of metasequoia trees still draws visitors all year round, and it's especially beautiful with autumn leaves or winter snow.

From Seoul, take the ITX-Cheongchun train or a bus to Gapyeong Station, then a ferry to the island. You can also cross the river by zip line, a popular option for something different.

Petite France: a little French village

Petite France in Gapyeong is a themed space modelled on a French country village and known as a filming location for several dramas, including My Love from the Star. Its colourful European-style buildings create an exotic atmosphere that makes it a popular photo spot. It's close to Nami Island, so the two pair well in a day.

Jumunjin breakwater, Gangneung

The seaside breakwater where the goblin and the heroine exchanged a bouquet of buckwheat flowers in Goblin (tvN, 2016–2017) is at Jumunjin Beach in Gangneung. After the broadcast it became known as the "Goblin breakwater" and a must-photograph spot for couples and fans. You'll often see people at the end of the breakwater recreating the scene against the East Sea. From Seoul, take the KTX to Gangneung Station and then a bus or taxi.

The set in Taebaek

Descendants of the Sun (KBS, 2016) was set in a fictional country, and some of its military base scenes were shot on a set built on a former coal mine site in Taebaek, Gangwon Province. The set opened to tourists after filming and drew many fans. Operating conditions can change, so check before visiting.

Filming locations in Chungcheong and Jeolla

Sunshine Studio, Nonsan

Mr. Sunshine (tvN, 2018) was shot on a large set recreating Hanseong (Seoul) in the early 1900s. Located at Sunshine Land in Nonsan, South Chungcheong, the set reproduces modern-era streets, trams and Western-style buildings, and it's popular not only with fans but also with visitors who want photos in period costume.

Jeonju Hanok Village

Jeonju Hanok Village, with hundreds of hanok, often appears in both historical and contemporary dramas. As the home of bibimbap, it's perfect for combining with a food trip, and it's always lively with travellers in hanbok strolling the alleys.

Filming locations in Gyeongsang

Cheongha-myeon, Pohang: the seaside village of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

The fictional village of "Gongjin" in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (tvN, 2021) was filmed around Cheongha-myeon in Pohang, North Gyeongsang. The beach, the small harbour and the village market and shops the characters frequented are real places, and after the broadcast fans from all over the country came to this quiet seaside village. If you've seen the show, spotting familiar scenes around the village is great fun.

The "Woo Young-woo tree" in Changwon

Extraordinary Attorney Woo (ENA, 2022) features an episode about an old hackberry tree in a village. The huge tree on a hill in a rural village in Changwon, South Gyeongsang, where the episode was filmed, became a hugely popular attraction after the broadcast, and measures were later introduced to protect it. It's a classic example of a single tree becoming a local landmark thanks to a drama.

Busan

Busan is one of the cities film and television love most. Gukje Market, Huinnyeoul Culture Village on Yeongdo and the seas of Haeundae and Gwangalli have appeared in countless productions. If you're planning a trip to Busan, weave some filming locations into it.

Gyeongju

Gyeongju, the thousand-year capital of Silla, appears often in both historical and modern dramas. Its landscape of ancient tombs, hanok and ponds creates the feeling of time travel.

Filming locations abroad

As K-dramas have grown more popular, overseas location shoots have increased too. Seeking out K-drama locations on a trip abroad is a different kind of fun.

• Iseltwald, Switzerland: the small jetty on Lake Brienz where the hero played the piano in Crash Landing on You became famous as Asian tourists flocked there after the broadcast. At one point visitor numbers were so high that the village began charging a fee to access the pier.
• Quebec City, Canada: the city behind the scenes in which the characters of Goblin open a door and teleport. Its red doors and romantic walled-city scenery completed the drama's fantasy atmosphere.
• Zakynthos, Greece: Navagio Beach, where beach scenes for Descendants of the Sun were filmed, is famous for its emerald sea surrounded by cliffs.

Key locations at a glance

Drama	Location	Region
Winter Sonata	Nami Island metasequoia avenue	Chuncheon, Gangwon (boats from Gapyeong, Gyeonggi)
Goblin	Jumunjin breakwater	Gangneung, Gangwon
My Love from the Star	Petite France	Gapyeong, Gyeonggi
Itaewon Class	Noksapyeong overpass, Itaewon streets	Yongsan, Seoul
Mr. Sunshine	Sunshine Studio	Nonsan, South Chungcheong
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha	Seaside village in Cheongha-myeon	Pohang, North Gyeongsang
Extraordinary Attorney Woo	Hackberry tree on a village hill	Changwon, South Gyeongsang
Crash Landing on You	Iseltwald jetty	Switzerland

How to plan a filming-location route

Group by region

Filming locations are scattered across the country, so trying to see everything just piles up travel time. Plan by region — "a day in Seoul", "a day in Gapyeong and Chuncheon", "a day in Gangneung". Nami Island and Petite France work well on the same day, for example, and in Gangneung you can combine the Jumunjin breakwater with Gyeongpodae and the Anmok coffee street in a single day.

Mix drama spots with regular sightseeing

Visiting only filming locations can end sooner than you'd like. Combine them with local restaurants, traditional markets and natural attractions for a much richer trip. In Pohang, add Homigot or Jukdo Market; in Gangneung, enjoy the sea and the coffee culture.

Match the season

Visiting in the same season as the drama doubles the emotion. See Winter Sonata's Nami Island under snow, or, thinking of Goblin's buckwheat flowers, visit Gangwon in late summer when buckwheat blooms.

Sample route: a two-day Gyeonggi and Gangwon filming trip

For your first filming-location trip, the Gyeonggi–Gangwon route near Seoul is ideal, and it's easy to do by public transport.

When	Where	Highlights
Day 1 morning	Seoul → Gapyeong, Nami Island	Metasequoia avenue, Winter Sonata memorial spaces
Day 1 afternoon	Petite France	Photos in the European-style village
Day 1 evening	Chuncheon	Dinner of dakgalbi and makguksu; stay in Chuncheon
Day 2 morning	Chuncheon → Gangneung	Travel by bus or train
Day 2 afternoon	Jumunjin breakwater, Jumunjin fish market	Recreate the Goblin scene; fresh seafood
Day 2 evening	Anmok coffee street → Seoul	Coffee by the sea, KTX back to Seoul

Chuncheon's spicy stir-fried chicken (dakgalbi) and buckwheat noodles (makguksu) are the region's signature dishes, and Gangneung, with cafés lining its beaches, is famous as a "coffee city", so you can enjoy a drama trip and a food trip at the same time.

How to take great photos at filming locations

• Go early: popular spots get crowded during the day, making it hard to frame the shot you want. Visit early in the morning for quieter scenes.
• Chase the light: the soft light around sunrise and sunset creates a drama-like mood. Seaside locations are especially beautiful at sunset.
• Compare with your screenshots: match the camera height and direction to the scenes you saved, and your photos will look much like the drama.
• Use props: bringing a prop that symbolises a scene — Goblin's buckwheat bouquet or a red scarf — makes for a true fan shot.
• Be considerate: wait your turn at photo spots with queues, and don't monopolise the spot for too long.

Eating what the characters ate

Another joy of a filming-location trip is tasting the food the characters ate on screen.

• Fried chicken and beer: after the line about having chimaek on a snowy day in My Love from the Star, chimaek became a huge craze among international fans. Enjoy it at a Han River park and you're in a drama scene.
• Ramyeon: cup noodles at a convenience store table, or noodles shared straight from the pot, are K-drama staples.
• Samgyeopsal and soju: to recreate the scene of colleagues grilling meat after work, head to a neighbourhood barbecue restaurant.
• Tteokbokki and sundae: dramas about school days never lack a scene at a snack bar.

Many restaurants that appeared in dramas are real and still open, so seeking one out during your trip makes a lovely memory.

Filming-location etiquette: respect residents' daily lives

The most important thing on a filming-location trip is to remember that these places are someone's home. In some areas, crowds of tourists have caused so much inconvenience that murals have been painted over or visiting hours restricted.

• Stay off private property: many drama houses are real homes. Don't go through the gate or look in through windows.
• Explore quietly: especially in residential areas and hanok villages, avoid loud conversation or playing music.
• Take your rubbish with you: small villages often struggle with waste collection.
• Support local businesses: using shops and restaurants featured in the drama helps the local economy. Rather than leaving after a photo, buy at least a cup of coffee.
• Protect trees and structures: don't write on or climb monuments and old trees.

Helpful resources

• Korea Tourism Organization's official website: multilingual Korean Wave travel information and filming locations. It also runs the 1330 travel helpline for foreign visitors.
• Local government tourism pages: practical details such as transport and opening hours for local filming spots.
• Fan communities: reviews and maps made by fans who've been there are a huge help in finding exact spots and angles.
• Korean Wave themed tours: group tours covering several filming locations in a day are convenient for foreign travellers who don't drive.

Visiting locations in the right season

Filming locations move you most when you visit in the season the drama was shot. If the two leads first met under cherry blossoms, aim for early April; if they walked down a ginkgo-lined road, early November is best. If the backdrop was a snowy winter sea, Gangwon in January or February is perfect. On the other hand, the same place shows a completely different mood in another season, so comparing it with the drama scene and enjoying how it looks at a different time of year is a fun twist. Popular locations get very crowded during blossom and foliage peaks, though, so visiting early on a weekday morning makes photography far more relaxed.

Drama sets and themed spaces

Besides real streets and landscapes, drama sets run by broadcasters and local governments are popular destinations too. Historical-drama sets recreate Joseon-era spaces such as palaces, market streets and aristocrats' houses, making you feel as if you've walked into the drama. Some sets let you rent hanbok for photos or run programmes where you can see filming equipment and props up close. On days when actual filming is under way, access to some areas may be restricted, so check opening hours and notices before you go.

Hanok villages and historical dramas

If you love historical dramas, be sure to walk through a traditional hanok village. Hanok villages, old family houses and Confucian academies across the country have often been used as filming locations for sageuk. Alleys lined with tiled roofs, wooden gates and wide courtyards leave a far quieter and deeper impression in person than on screen. Spending a night in a hanok guesthouse and sleeping on an ondol-heated floor is a great way to feel the atmosphere of a historical drama with your whole body. Many of these villages are still home to real residents, so refrain from peering through gates or talking loudly.

Remember that locations change

A few years after a drama airs, its filming locations often look different. The café where the lead worked may have closed or become another shop, or an alley may have been redeveloped and every trace erased. When looking for locations from older dramas, it's wise to check recent visitor reviews first. Even if the original look is gone, there's no need to be disappointed. Simply walking the same street and recalling the scene can make for a meaningful trip, and sometimes you'll discover a new story in what has changed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I watch a drama being filmed?

Filming schedules are mostly kept private, and sets are controlled for safety and smooth production. If you happen upon a shoot, follow the staff's instructions and don't push to approach the actors.

Can I visit sets any time?

Sets may restrict access on filming days or close altogether. Always check official information before you go.

Can I do a filming-location trip by public transport alone?

Locations in Seoul and other big cities are easy to reach by public transport. Rural locations may have infrequent buses, so a rental car or a tour is more convenient.

Final thought: walking where the story lingered

A K-drama filming-location trip doesn't end with confirming a scene. It's also a journey to meet the sea of a small village you'd never have known about, the breeze beneath an old tree and the laughter of market traders. And when you rewatch the drama, that experience returns as a new kind of emotion.

Think of a scene from your favourite drama. The moment you set out to find where it was filmed, a new story of your own will begin.