🎬 Seoul K-Drama Pilgrimage Courses (Filming Spots by Drama)
⚠️ Note: Among filming spots, cafés and restaurants often close or change. Check whether they're open via a map app/SNS before visiting. For schools, private property, and residences, admire from outside rather than entering, and be quiet and respectful.
⏱️ 30-Second Summary — Just Remember This!
🌸 Goblin → Unhyeongung Yanggwan, Samcheong-dong stone-wall path (Seoul) (Jumunjin, Paju, Québec are outside Seoul!)
🍺 Itaewon Class → Noksapyeong, Itaewon, Haebangchon + Namsan views
⭐ My Love from the Star → N Seoul Tower, Namsan (a mood course)
🏘️ Reply 1988 → Ssangmun-dong setting (the set was in Uijeongbu)
📸 Tip → Group spots by area and subway station!
1. 🌸 Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God)
A landmark fantasy romance. But many iconic scenes are outside Seoul.
Unhyeongung Yanggwan / Duksung Women's Univ. Jongno Campus (around Unni-dong, Jongno-gu):
🚇 Nearest: Anguk Station Exit 4
Known as the exterior of Kim Shin (the Goblin)'s mansion. But this building is inside Duksung Women's University's Jongno campus, so it has a school/private character. View mainly the exterior, and check whether entry is allowed.
Samcheong-dong stone-wall path (around Anguk, Bukchon, Samcheong-dong):
🚇 Nearest: Anguk Station
A Goblin-mood alley stroll. Recommended route: Anguk Station → Unhyeongung Yanggwan → Bukchon·Samcheong-dong.
⚠️ Out-of-Seoul spots: The iconic red-scarf breakwater is in Jumunjin, Gangneung; the European-style café scene is in Paju (Forest of Wisdom / café area); the fairytale scenes are in Québec, Canada. Don't mix them into your Seoul plan!
2. 🍺 Itaewon Class
A youth drama set in Itaewon. The neighborhood itself is the filming spot.
Noksapyeong overpass / around Noksapyeong Station:
🚇 Nearest: Noksapyeong Station
A signature photo spot where Itaewon and N Seoul Tower appear together.
Around Itaewon·Gyeongnidan-gil·Haebangchon:
🚇 Nearest: Itaewon Station·Noksapyeong Station
Feel the "DanBam" mood with hilly streets and N Seoul Tower views. The night atmosphere is especially drama-like.
Namsan Baekbeom Plaza / Namsan Park entrance:
Known as a course for the show's romantic scenes. Sunset–evening recommended. (Visit Korea also introduces roads toward Namsan Baekbeom Plaza as Itaewon Class spots.)
🔗 Ref: https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/sp/HallyuNew/contentsView.do?dataSetId=76&vcontsId=177276
Tip: Itaewon is a multicultural street with varied food and bars. (The actual "DanBam" set location varies over time — search to confirm.)
3. ⭐ My Love from the Star
A romance that drove Hallyu. Best enjoyed as a signature mood course in Seoul.
N Seoul Tower / Namsan Seoul Tower:
🚇 Nearest: Myeongdong·Hoehyeon·Chungmuro Station, then bus/cable car
A couples'-symbol night-view spot in Seoul, famous for love locks and the observatory. N Seoul Tower is introduced as a signature Seoul spot for many works — My Love from the Star, Boys Over Flowers, Itaewon Class, etc.
🔗 Ref: https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_KR/inspiration/travel/kdrama-filming-locations.html
Han River parks (Yeouido·Banpo·Ttukseom):
Best enjoyed as a drama-mood night course rather than a specific-scene spot.
Tip: There are many spots tied to this drama. Centering on N Seoul Tower·Namsan is a safe bet.
4. 🏘️ Reply 1988
A beloved retro drama. The setting is Ssangmun-dong, Dobong-gu, Seoul.
Around Ssangmun-dong (Dobong-gu):
🚇 Nearest: Ssangmun Station
Many fans visit for the setting-neighborhood mood.
⚠️ The set was in Uijeongbu: The frequently-shown Bonghwangdang alley and houses were mostly filmed on a set built in Uijeongbu. Whether it remains/operates needs checking. Treat Ssangmun-dong as a "setting/mood course."
Tip: Naver Map and KakaoMap show some filming-spot info — worth checking.
5. 💧 Queen of Tears
Famous as the real-life model for "Queens Department Store."
The Hyundai Seoul (Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu):
🚇 Nearest: Yeouido Station / Yeouinaru Station
Introduced as the real model for the show's "Queens Department Store." Its huge scale and sleek interior are worth seeing.
Recommended route: The Hyundai Seoul → IFC Mall → Yeouido Han River Park
Yeouido Park: Nice to bundle in as a scene course.
6. ⏰ Lovely Runner (Seonjae, Pick Me Up)
A 2024 hit. Many Seoul spots with a time-slip mood.
DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza):
🚇 Nearest: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station
The city-night spot shown as a concert venue in the show.
Around Seongbukcheon:
🚇 Nearest: near Hansung Univ. Station·Sungshin Women's Univ. Station
The bridge/trail mood that triggers the time slip.
Jungang High School / Bukchon area:
🚇 Nearest: Anguk Station
⚠️ The school may restrict entry/filming. View quietly from outside.
7. 🏙️ Other Dramas with Many Seoul Spots
Vincenzo: Nice to bundle with the Cheonggyecheon·Sewoon Sangga mood in Seoul.
King the Land: Lots of hotel/city/airport scenes — can expand to a Seoul + Jeju course.
Historical dramas at Gyeongbokgung: Geunjeongjeon and Gyeonghoeru are regulars in many sageuk. (Gyeonghoeru special viewing is by reservation.)
Han River romances: Countless romance dramas shot date scenes at Nanji·Ichon·Ttukseom Han River parks, Nodeul Island, and Seoul Forest.
8. 🌏 Dramas More Famous for Out-of-Seoul Spots
For these, the provincial/overseas spots are the main pilgrimage, not Seoul. Keep them separate from your Seoul plan.
Crash Landing on You: Switzerland, Gangwon, Chungbuk, etc. are the mains.
Mr. Sunshine: Rather than Itaewon in Seoul, Sunshine Land / Sunshine Studio in Nonsan is the main pilgrimage.
The Glory: Many spots in Cheongju, Incheon, etc. (outside Seoul).
Goblin (partly): Jumunjin in Gangneung, Paju, Québec (see section 1).
9. 🗺️ Efficient Area Courses
Group spots by proximity + subway station.
⭐ Jongno·Bukchon course (highly recommended): Anguk Station → Unhyeongung Yanggwan (Goblin) → Bukchon·Samcheong-dong → Gyeongbokgung (sageuk) → Ikseon-dong. Goblin, Lovely Runner, and sageuk moods in one go!
Itaewon·Yongsan course: Noksapyeong Station → Itaewon Class streets·Haebangchon → Namsan·N Seoul Tower (My Love from the Star). Evening recommended.
Yeouido·Han River course: The Hyundai Seoul (Queen of Tears) → IFC Mall → Yeouido Han River Park. Great night views.
Seongsu·Seoul Forest course: Seoul Forest photo spots + Seongsu-dong café street. A date-scene mood from many dramas.
10. 📸 Pilgrimage Tips
Confirm they're open: Café/restaurant spots close or change often. Check via a map app/Instagram before visiting.
Iconic-scene photos: Capturing the drama's angle in advance helps you nail the shot.
Be respectful: For schools, residences, and private property, admire from outside, quietly. Respect entry/filming restrictions.
Transit: Seoul's subway is dense. Grouping spots by subway line is efficient.
Timing: Night-view spots (Han River, Namsan, Itaewon) are most drama-like at sunset–evening.
Crowds: Famous spots/weekends get busy. Mornings or weekdays are calmer.
11. Common Questions from Foreigners ❓
Is the Goblin breakwater in Seoul? → No, it's in Jumunjin, Gangneung. In Seoul it's Unhyeongung Yanggwan, Samcheong-dong, etc.
Can I enter Unhyeongung Yanggwan? → It's inside Duksung Women's Univ.'s Jongno campus, so entry may be restricted. View mainly the exterior.
The café spot has closed. → Spots close often. Confirm it's open via a map app first.
Does the Reply 1988 alley still exist? → Key scenes were an Uijeongbu set, so it may be gone. Ssangmun-dong is the setting neighborhood.
How many spots in a day? → Grouped by area, 3–5 a day is doable (Jongno, Itaewon, etc.).
How do I find exact locations? → Naver Map and KakaoMap often mark filming spots. Also check Visit Seoul/Visit Korea.
Are Crash Landing on You / The Glory in Seoul? → No — their main spots are outside Seoul (see section 8).
✅ Quick Checklist
Pick the dramas/spots you want
Plan by area and subway station (Jongno/Itaewon/Yeouido/Seongsu)
Confirm cafés/restaurants are open in advance
Separate out-of-Seoul scenes (Goblin, Crash Landing on You, etc.)
Capture the iconic-scene angle beforehand
For schools/residences/private property, view the exterior respectfully
Night-view spots at sunset–evening
Move efficiently by subway line
🟦 A guide put together by the CultureHub team.
📅 As of 2026 · ⚠️ Whether spots are open/operating/accessible can change over time. Confirm cafés and restaurants before visiting. Please be respectful at schools, private property, and residences.
