Suwon Hwaseong & Haenggung-dong: Why Korea's UNESCO Fortress City Is the #1 K-Drama Filming Neighborhood

How Haenggung-dong Became Korea's Capital of Youth & Romance K-Dramas

If you have watched Lovely Runner (선재 업고 튀어), Our Beloved Summer (그해 우리는), Extraordinary Attorney Woo (이상한 변호사 우영우), or Itaewon Class, you have already fallen in love with Haenggung-dong in Suwon. Located directly inside the 5.7-kilometer stone ramparts of the UNESCO World Heritage Hwaseong Fortress, this low-rise neighborhood bans high-rise apartment towers to preserve historic sightlines.

Because the streets retain warm brick houses, flowering wall vines, stone bridges over the Suwoncheon Stream, and panoramic sunset fortress gates, Korean television directors repeatedly choose Haenggung-dong to portray nostalgic high school and university neighborhoods.

Must-Visit Verified Filming Spots in Suwon (Step-by-Step Route)

1. Im Sol & Ryu Sun-jae's Houses (화성행궁 행리단길 몽테드 — 14 Hwaseomun-ro 48beon-gil, Paldal-gu, Suwon): The viral yellowumbrella corner where Im Sol runs out to meet Ryu Sun-jae in Lovely Runner sits right in the heart of Haengnidan-gil. The two houses face each other across a charming narrow lane, just a 4-minute walk from Hwaseomun Gate.

2. Choi Ung's House & Jangangiun Fortress Wall Path (장안공원 성곽길 — 293 Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon): Just north of Hwaseomun Gate, the curving stone fortress wall and rooftop terrace served as illustrator Choi Ung's home in Our Beloved Summer. Walking the outer fortress trail during sunset gives you golden light across both ancient battlements and neighborhood rooftops.

3. Woo Young-woo Gimbap Shop (우영우 김밥집 / 카자구루마 — 61 Sinpung-ro 23beon-gil, Paldal-gu, Suwon): Situated along the same walkable Haengnidan-gil cafe street, the exterior of Young-woo's father's gimbap diner is an active Japanese fusion restaurant where fans stop for photos.

How to Get to Suwon from Seoul & Local Food Specialties

Fastest Transit from Seoul: Board a KTX, ITX-Saemaeul, or Mugunghwa train from Seoul Station or Yongsan Station to Suwon Station (25–32 minutes), or take Seoul Subway Line 1 / Bundang Line directly to Suwon Station. From Suwon Station Exit 4, hop on local bus #11, #13, or a 10-minute taxi ride straight to Hwaseong Haenggung Temporary Palace (화성행궁).

Suwon's Famous Dish — Suwon Wang-Galbi (Marinated Beef Short Ribs): Since the 1940s, Suwon has been famous across Korea for giant charcoal-grilled beef short ribs seasoned with sesame oil, garlic, and Korean pear, alongside Suwon 통닭거리 (Suwon Fried Chicken Street) right by Paldalmun Gate where Extreme Job was inspired.