Looking for some Seoul-searching inspiration?
Photo Credit: Bundo Kim (Unsplash)
After roaming the streets of South Korea through countless K-dramas, it's finally time for you to experience the magic of Seoul in person! Whether you're planning on chasing the cherry blossoms in spring or making snow angels in winter, Seoul is jam-packed with things to do and experience.
Find your soul in Seoul with exclusive tours and travel essentials bookable on Klook! Pssst, if you're a K-drama or K-pop fan, these tours may just be your cup of tea:
15 iconic K-drama filming locations in Seoul, South Korea
1. Lotte World (롯데월드)
Source: Lotte World Facebook
The dreamy Lotte World is one of the most featured Korean theme parks in K-dramas. 🎡 Beautiful in all seasons (especially during spring!) and whether in the day or under moonlight, Lotte World is filled with thrilling rides, an ice rink, a lake, exciting parades, and even a folk museum. It is often featured as a date spot in K-dramas such as Business Proposal, True Beauty, Love Alarm, Hyde Jekyll, Me, Stairway to Heaven, and more. Recreate your favourite K-drama date by adding it onto your Seoul itinerary.
2. N Seoul Tower (남산서울타워)
Photo Credit: tvN || True Beauty
Also known as Namsan Tower, N Seoul Tower is an iconic building that stands proud as an important part of Seoul's skyline. This communication and observation tower is located at an elevation on a hill and offers panoramic, 360-degree views of Seoul city from the top. Pop by in the evening and watch the sun set over the horizon before twinkling lights take over Seoul! ✨ The tower is also a popular date spot in K-dramas and was featured in Boys Over Flower, The Legend of the Blue Sea, My Love From Another Star, Itaewon Class, The Last Empress, among many other shows.
3. Itaewon (이태원)
Photo Credit: JTBC || Itaewon Class
Photo Credit: @oriole_hbc
Popular K-drama Itaewon Class was shot predominantly in Itaewon, of course! Known for its cosmopolitan dining and nightlife, Itaewon is the bustling global village of Seoul, filled with streets lined with BBQ restaurants, beer bars, Indie stores, quaint boutiques, clubs, and more. Be sure to check out the iconic Oriole Bar, a three-storey cafe and bar that allows you dine on a rooftop with breathtaking views of the city.
Love bar-hopping? Check out these pub crawl experiences in Seoul:
4. Cheonggyecheon Stream (청계천)
Photo Credit: Find Me In Your Memory
Get a breath of fresh air and peace at Cheonggyecheon Stream, one of our favourite spots in the heart of Seoul. The stream runs for 11km through the city and is lined with lanterns, fountains, artworks, bridges, and outdoor exhibitions, making it perfect for romantic walks.
Be sure to check out the Candle Fountain and Palseokdam wishing wells made from eight different stones from each of South Korea's eight provinces! Cheonggyecheon Stream was a filming location for K-dramas such as Vincenzo, You Raise Me Up, True Beauty, and more.
We highly recommend joining a tour to experience the full beauty of Seoul! These tours take you around the city, including Cheonggyecheon stream:
5. Deoksugung Palace Stonewall Walkway (덕수궁 돌담길)
Photo Credit: tvN || Goblin
If you've watched enough K-dramas, you'll likely recall this picturesque stonewall walkway featured in plenty of dramas over the years, including Goblin, One Spring Night, and The Beauty Inside.
The Deoksugung Palace Stonewall Walkway is especially beautiful in autumn and spring, and is the perfect spot to take photos of fall foliage and dreamy cherry blossoms. Walk along the path and you'll find yourself at the Deoksugung Palace or Seoul Museum of Art, two popular attractions in the vicinity!
6. Han River (한강)
Photo Credit: What's Wrong with Secretary Kim
As a major river of South Korea (and one of the longest), the Han River, also known as Hangang, is often featured as a backdrop of many K-dramas over the years. From scenes atop the popular Eland Hangang River Cruise to shots at the romantic Yeouido Hangang Park, Han River has seen everything from cute dates to painful break-ups. The park is most beautiful in spring and autumn, so be sure to pop by for a picnic or stroll in-between your sightseeing adventures!
7. Gyeongbok Palace (경복궁)
Photo Credit: @xandreaswork (Unsplash)
There are many palaces in Seoul, and the majestic Gyeongbok Palace, or Gyeongbokgung, is arguably the most beautiful and largest of all five. Built in 1395 during the Joseon dynasty, Gyeongbokgung is a magnificent site that served as a filming location for many historical K-dramas such as Kingdom, Goong, The Last Empress, and The Moon Embracing the Sun.
To take the best photos, rent a Korean hanbok on Klook and head over after being dolled up! Pssst, visitors who wear a hanbok can enjoy free admission to the palace. ✨ Make sure to also not miss out on the Changing of the Guards ceremony that takes place twice daily.
8. Gwanghwamun Plaza (광화문 광장)
Photo Credit: The King: Eternal Monarch
Also known as Gwanghwamun Square, Gwanghwamun Plaza is a public space located next to the main gate of Gyeongbok Palace, and is most known for the majestic statue of King Sejong, one of Korea's most famous historical figures.
The square was a filming location of a handful of K-dramas, with the most notable one being The King: Eternal Monarch. The location is where Lee Min Ho and Kim Go Eun first met, and you can set the statue in the backdrop of the drama's poster. ✨
9. Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을)
Photo Credit: True Beauty
Home to hundreds of traditional houses, Bukchon Hanok Village is a Korean traditional village that has been carefully preserved to showcase its 600-year-old history. Filled with museums and cultural centres, it's a must-visit if you love learning about a city's culture and history. Bukchon Hanok Village served as a backdrop of K-dramas such as Ghost Doctor, Goblin, My Roommate is a Gumiho, The Heirs, Flower of Evil, and more.
10. Seoul Land (서울랜드)
Photo Credit: Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
Here's another popular theme park date filming location right outside of Seoul! While it may not be as huge and flashy as Lotte World and Everland, Seoul Land was the first theme park built in Korea! It offers a wide variety of nostalgic, classic amusement park rides from bumper cars to a pirate ship and roller coasters.
It's also extremely popular in winter due to its iconic sledding hill! Seoul Land was featured in popular K-dramas such as Where My Love Blooms, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, The Secret Life of My Secretary, and The Smile Has Left Your Eyes. It was also featured in Squid Game season 2!
11. Hotel Seine (호텔세느장)
Photo Credit: @hotel_seinejang (Instagram)
Photo Credit: @hotel_seinejang (Instagram)
Update: Hotel Seine permanently closed down in 2022.
Several scenes of the drama Hotel Del Luna was filmed at the vintage-themed Hotel Seine. Despite having 'hotel' in its name, Hotel Seine was actually a cafe nestled in Ikseon-dong. The cafe may look unassuming on the outside, but it had a gorgeous interior full of photo spots.
Customers could order their coffee at the 'concierge' and settle down at one of the cosy corners there. The six-floor cafe even had a rooftop lounge, art salon, and cake factory! You could also find photo zones dedicated to Hotel Del Luna.
12. Coex Aquarium (코엑스 아쿠아리움)
Photo Credit: @chitone.feed (Instagram)
Photo Credit: SBS || I Can Hear Your Voice
Home to over 40,000 sea creatures (including penguins!), Coex Aquarium is the largest aquarium in Seoul, and a popular attraction for people of all ages. Those who've watched I Can Hear Your Voice will likely recall the dreamy kiss scene between Hye-sung and Soo-ha that was filmed right here under the water tunnel. Book your open-dated Coex Aquarium admission tickets at discounted rates on Klook!
13. Paradise City Hotel
Photo Credit: Hotel Del Luna
If you've binged Single's Inferno during the pandemic, you would be familiar with the indulgent Paradise. The Paradise in the show is none other than the luxurious Paradise City Hotel, a contemporary luxury hotel located close to Incheon Airport. From spacious rooms to fine dining establishments, you'll feel like a VVIP when you spend a night here.
Besides being featured in Single's Inferno, many parts of the hotel were also backdrops in K-dramas like Hotel Del Luna (the quirky factory-like amusement park is an indoor entertainment park in the hotel!), Vincenzo, The King: Eternal Monarch, and When My Love Blooms.
14. Dongdaemun Design Plaza (동대문 디자인 플라자)
Photo Credit: HJ Park (commons.wikimedia.org)
Affectionately known as DDP, Seoul's Dongdaemun Design Plaza is an iconic city landmark known for its unique, UFO-shaped architecture. We'd recommend dropping by at night to watch it come to life with lights!
Unfortunately, the LED Rose Garden filled with 25,000 electronic roses is now closed. K-dramas such as My Love From The Stars, Love Alarm, The Producers, and Fated To Love You have filmed romantic scenes right here.
Dongdaemun is home to some of Seoul's best shopping malls. Check out the Dongdaemun Super Pass for exclusive benefits like discounts, promotions, and vouchers at:
- Dongdaemun Design Plaza
- Doota Mall
- Hyundai Outlets Dongdaemun
- Hyundai Duty Free
15. Yonsei University (연세대학교)
Photo Credit: https://www.yonsei.ac.kr/
Photo Credit: https://www.yonsei.ac.kr/
Photo Credit: JTBC || Snowdrop
Many universities in South Korea look so pretty that they can be considered tourist attractions. One of such is the prestigious Yonsei University, known as one of the best private universities in the country. Yonsei University is regarded as one of the most beautiful campuses in Seoul, and served as a filming location for K-dramas such as IRIS, Snowdrop, Reply 1994, My Sassy Girl, Abyss, and more.
The campus is most beautiful in autumn when the trees transform into colours of yellow, orange, and red! Be sure to stroll through the university's iconic ginkgo tree paths if you visit during this time of the year. ✨
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