Korean dramas are a global phenomenon, and for many viewers, the impulse to visit filming locations is irresistible. Unlike many television productions that use temporary sets and digital backgrounds, K-dramas often film on location, in actual buildings and neighborhoods. This means that pilgrimages to these sites are genuinely rewarding—you're not visiting movie studio facades but real places that now carry additional resonance from their dramatic narratives.
The challenge is that K-drama tourism is a boom industry, and location information can be scattered across fan sites and social media. Here are five of the most worth-visiting filming locations, with specific addresses and practical information for reaching them.
Goblin's Bridge (도깨비 다리): Yeongdo District, Busan
The historical drama "Goblin" (2016) became a cultural phenomenon, and one of its most iconic scenes takes place on a curved bridge over the Nakdonggang River in Busan. In the drama, the protagonist Grim Reaper first encounters the Goblin on this bridge, a moment that catalyzed the entire narrative. The bridge itself is a railway bridge built in the 1920s during the Japanese colonial period; it's no longer used for trains but remains an arresting architectural element.
The bridge is actually a functioning pedestrian walkway (the Yeongdo Bridge Railway Track), and you can walk across it. The view down the river is exactly as it appears in the drama. The curved approach and the metal lattice structure create a temporal quality—you're walking on infrastructure from a century ago, now repurposed.
What to Do: Walk across the bridge (the full crossing takes 10-15 minutes). The views upstream and downstream are both scenic. On the Busan Bank side, there's a small museum dedicated to the history of the bridge. The neighborhood on either side (Yeongdo District and Suyeong District) has small cafes and restaurants; you can easily spend 2-3 hours in the area.
Getting There: From central Busan (around Nampodong), take Metro Line 1 toward Sinpyeong and exit at Yeongdo Station (exit 1). Walk south for 5 minutes; the bridge is clearly marked. Alternatively, taxi directly to "Yeongdo Bridge Railway Track" (영도대교 철길). Total journey from downtown Busan is 30-45 minutes.
Pro Tip: The lighting is particularly beautiful in late afternoon as sun bounces off the river. Visit around 4-5 p.m. if possible.
Spend: Free to visit; budget 20,000-40,000 won for meals and drinks if you're spending several hours in the area.
Squid Game Locations: Various (Seoul and Incheon)
"Squid Game" (2021) filmed in multiple locations across the Seoul metropolitan area, but unlike earlier K-dramas, the production deliberately built sets rather than using real locations for the actual games. However, the dormitory and childhood neighborhood scenes were filmed on location. The most accessible filmed locations are in Songpa District's neighborhoods where the childhood scenes were shot, and in Incheon, where some production took place.
The complication is that no single "Squid Game location" exists; the show spread filming across numerous real neighborhoods. However, fans have mapped specific buildings from the show on various platforms.
What to Do: If you're a devoted fan, you can visit the neighborhoods (search online for the specific building facades used). Most neighborhood streets that appeared in the show are still ordinary Seoul residential areas—postcard-worthy for the connection to the drama rather than their intrinsic scenic beauty.
A more structured approach: Several tour companies now offer "Squid Game filming location tours" that visit multiple sites in a single outing (roughly 3-4 hours). These tours typically cost 50,000-70,000 won and include a guide. While more touristy than independent exploration, they efficiently show you the major locations.
Getting There: For independent exploration, take Metro Line 8 to Pileun Station (Songpa District) or Line 9 to specific neighborhoods listed in fan guides. For organized tours, book through tour operators in your hotel or online.
Pro Tip: The appeal of Squid Game locations is more about dramatic resonance than visual beauty. If you're not a devoted fan of the show, other K-drama locations may be more rewarding.
Spend: Free for independent exploration; 50,000-70,000 won per person for organized tours.
Crash Landing on You: Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province
This romantic comedy (2019) famously features scenes filmed in North Korea. Obviously, the production didn't actually film in North Korea; instead, they created a North Korean village set in Pyeongchang, a mountainous region in Gangwon Province known for its skiing and natural beauty. The set was constructed for the production and has been preserved as a tourist attraction.
The "North Korean village" set includes traditional-style houses, a town square, and narrow streets built to resemble a North Korean settlement circa the 1980s. The attraction is primarily nostalgic if you watched the drama; for those unfamiliar with the show, it's a quirky historical recreation that serves as both tourism attraction and kitsch experience.
What to Do: Walk through the village, take photos in period-appropriate locations, visit the small museum explaining the production, and eat at the on-site restaurant serving simplified "Korean comfort food." A visit takes 1.5-2 hours.
Getting There: Pyeongchang is roughly 2 hours from Seoul by car or organized tour. Public transport requires multiple transfers. Most visitors book an organized tour through Seoul hotels or online (roughly 70,000-100,000 won including round-trip transport and entry). Alternatively, rent a car and drive; it's a scenic drive through mountain regions.
When to Go: Any season works; summer is green and lush, autumn is colorful, winter can be snowy. Spring might involve some rain.
Spend: 15,000-20,000 won for entry; add cost of transport (included in organized tours).
Descendants of the Sun: Istanbul and Greece (Spoiler: Not Actually Filmed There)
This is an important note for K-drama fans: "Descendants of the Sun" (2016) is frequently listed among filming locations guides, but most scenes presented as Istanbul or Greece were actually filmed in Korean studios or other locations. While the production had international aspirations, the actual filming took place primarily in Korea. The exception: some scenes at Korean military bases and in the Jeolla region are genuine location filming.
The lesson: not all K-drama location guides are accurate. Cross-reference information before planning trips based on secondary sources.
Itaewon Class: Street Scenes (Various Seoul Neighborhoods)
"Itaewon Class" (2020) filmed street scenes in various Seoul neighborhoods, particularly around Itaewon itself (obviously), but also in gangnam-gu and other districts. The locations are less dramatically iconic than bridges or village sets, but they capture real Seoul streetscapes during the drama.
Independent exploration of these locations is possible but requires detailed fan guides. It's less structured tourism and more "discover Seoul the way the show presents it."
My Love from the Star: Yeouido
The beloved fantasy romantic comedy "My Love from the Star" (2013) filmed extensively around Yeouido, Seoul's financial district surrounded by the Han River. While the show's magical elements aren't tied to location (they're entirely in the narrative), the apartment buildings, parks, and streets of Yeouido are frequently featured.
Yeouido is worth visiting regardless of the drama connection—it's a pleasant neighborhood with river parks, cafes, and a very Seoul aesthetic. The drama connection is nice added context rather than the primary reason to visit.
Practical Advice for K-Drama Location Hunting
Pro Tip: Cross-reference information from multiple sources before planning trips. Not all fan guides are accurate, and some locations are easier to visit than others.
Pro Tip: Some of the most famous scenes are in private buildings (apartment complexes, offices) that aren't open to the public. You may be able to photograph exteriors from public areas, but interior access isn't possible.
Pro Tip: Organized tour companies specializing in K-drama locations are increasingly common. If you don't speak Korean and want to maximize your time, booking a tour is reasonable. Expect to pay 50,000-100,000 won for a 3-4 hour tour.
Pro Tip: The most rewarding K-drama locations are either distinctive architecture (like Goblin's Bridge) or recreated settings (like the Crash Landing North Korean village). Generic Seoul street scenes are less rewarding for location tourism.
Pro Tip: If K-drama locations are a primary interest, the Busan region offers more concentration of specific, visually distinctive locations than Seoul. Consider including a Busan day trip or overnight in your itinerary.
