[ { "slug": "jongno-bukchon-seoul-kdrama-palace-hanok-filming-guide", "title": "Jongno & Bukchon, Seoul: Complete K-Drama Palace & Hanok Filming Guide (Goblin, Lovely Runner, Queen of Tears)", "subtitle": "Walk through 600 years of Joseon royal architecture and atmospheric stone-wall alleys featured in Goblin, Kingdom, Lovely Runner, and Mr. Sunshine.", "region": "Seoul", "district": "Jongno-gu & Jung-gu, Seoul", "date": "2026-10-27", "readTime": "8 min read", "wordCount": 1150, "heroImage": "https://kspotkorea.co.kr/assets/hero-gyeongbokgung.jpg", "featuredWorks": [ "Goblin (Guardian)", "Lovely Runner", "Kingdom", "Queen of Tears" ], "relatedSpotIds": [ 2, 3, 4 ], "summary": "Discover how to explore Seoul's historic heart like a K-Drama location scout—from Deoksugung Stone Wall Road and Bukchon Hanok Village to Anguk's hidden courtyard cafes, subway exits, and Hanbok photo tips.", "sections": [ { "heading": "Why Jongno & Bukchon Are the Beating Heart of K-Drama Cinematography", "paragraphs": [ "No district in South Korea appears on global streaming screens more frequently than Jongno-gu and neighboring Jung-gu in central Seoul. Verified records from the Korea Cultural Information Service Agency (KCISA) public filming dataset show hundreds of drama, film, and music video productions clustering around Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Seochon, and Deoksugung Stone Wall Road.", "For international travelers, what makes Jongno extraordinary is its walkable density. Within a single two-kilometer radius, you can stand on the ginkgo-lined stone path where Kim Shin first passed Ji Eun-tak under a rain umbrella in Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God), climb the curved traditional tiled-roof ridge of Bukchon Hanok Village overlooking modern Seoul towers, and step into the nostalgic neighborhood alleys of Seochon and Ikseon-dong." ] }, { "heading": "Key Verified Filming Locations in This District (With Exact Korean Addresses)", "paragraphs": [ "1. Deoksugung Stone Wall Road (덕수궁 돌담길 — 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul): Running along the outer wall of Deoksugung Palace from City Hall Station (Subway Line 1 & 2, Exit 1 or 2), this 900-meter pedestrian lane is legendary in Goblin, Do You Like Brahms?, and Lovely Runner. Visit between 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM for soft morning light filtering through the trees, or during late October and November when golden ginkgo leaves carpet the cobblestones.", "2. Bukchon Hanok Village Photo Point #6 (북촌한옥마을 — 37 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul): Reached via Anguk Station (Line 3, Exit 2), this uphill residential lane preserves authentic Joseon-era aristocratic homes (hanok). Stand at the top of the slope looking south to capture dark curved clay roofs framing Namsan Seoul Tower in the distance. Remember that Bukchon is an active residential neighborhood with designated visitor hours (10:00 AM–5:00 PM) and quiet-zone etiquette.", "3. Gyeongbokgung Palace & Hyangwonjeong Pavilion (경복궁 — 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul): Accessed directly from Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3, Exit 5), the royal throne hall (Geunjeongjeon) and water pavilions have anchored Kingdom, The Red Sleeve, Under the Queen's Umbrella, and BTS's iconic 'IDOL' & 'Mikrokosmos' performances on The Tonight Show." ] }, { "heading": "Half-Day Walking Itinerary & Subway Navigation Strategy", "paragraphs": [ "Start at Gyeongbokgung Station (Exit 4) at 9:00 AM when palace gates open. Wearing a rented traditional Hanbok grants you free admission to all major royal palaces in Seoul. Spend 90 minutes photographing Geunjeongjeon Hall and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion before exiting via the east gate toward Bukchon Hanok Village.", "From Bukchon, stroll downhill into Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley (익선동 한옥거리) for lunch—where early-1920s courtyard houses have been transformed into sunlit soufflé pancake cafes, salt-bread bakeries, and craft tea houses featured in Hotel Del Luna and Queen of Tears. Finish your afternoon with a 15-minute walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream to Deoksugung Stone Wall Road at golden hour." ] }, { "heading": "Where to Eat, Stay & Book Local Passes in Jongno", "paragraphs": [ "Local Culinary Highlights: Don't miss Tosokchon Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup inside a grand hanok near Gyeongbokgung), Hwangsaengga Kalguksu (Michelin Bib Gourmand hand-cut noodle soup and giant steamed dumplings in Bukchon), and Onion Anguk for pastries under a traditional wooden roof.", "Where to Stay: Choosing a hotel in Insadong, Myeongdong, or Gwanghwamun puts you within walking distance of all four royal palaces and direct Airport Railroad / Limousine Bus connections to Incheon International Airport (ICN)." ] } ], "spotHighlights": [ { "name": "Deoksugung Stone Wall Road (덕수궁 돌담길)", "work": "Goblin (Guardian)", "addressKr": "서울 중구 세종대로 99", "subway": "City Hall Stn (Line 1/2, Exit 2) · 1 min walk" }, { "name": "Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을)", "work": "Goblin / True Beauty / Hotel Del Luna", "addressKr": "서울 종로구 계동길 37", "subway": "Anguk Stn (Line 3, Exit 2) · 7 min walk" }, { "name": "Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)", "work": "Kingdom / BTS / The Red Sleeve", "addressKr": "서울 종로구 사직로 161", "subway": "Gyeongbokgung Stn (Line 3, Exit 5) · 2 min walk" } ] }, { "slug": "suwon-hwaseong-haenggung-dong-kdrama-filming-guide", "title": "Suwon Hwaseong & Haenggung-dong: Why Korea's UNESCO Fortress City Is the #1 K-Drama Filming Neighborhood", "subtitle": "From Sol and Sun-jae's iconic blue-and-yellow gate houses in Lovely Runner to Our Beloved Summer and Extraordinary Attorney Woo.", "region": "Gyeonggi & Incheon", "district": "Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do", "date": "2026-10-27", "readTime": "7 min read", "wordCount": 1080, "heroImage": "https://kspotkorea.co.kr/assets/hero-suwon.jpg", "featuredWorks": [ "Lovely Runner", "Our Beloved Summer", "Extraordinary Attorney Woo", "Twenty-Five Twenty-One" ], "relatedSpotIds": [ 5, 6, 7 ], "summary": "Just 35 minutes south of Seoul Station by KTX or Subway Line 1, Suwon's Haenggung-dong mural alleys and UNESCO Hwaseong Fortress walls host Korea's highest concentration of youth romance K-Drama scenes.", "sections": [ { "heading": "How Haenggung-dong Became Korea's Capital of Youth & Romance K-Dramas", "paragraphs": [ "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." ] }, { "heading": "Must-Visit Verified Filming Spots in Suwon (Step-by-Step Route)", "paragraphs": [ "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." ] }, { "heading": "How to Get to Suwon from Seoul & Local Food Specialties", "paragraphs": [ "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." ] } ], "spotHighlights": [ { "name": "Im Sol & Sun-jae's Houses (선재 업고 튀어 솔이네 집)", "work": "Lovely Runner", "addressKr": "경기 수원시 팔달구 화서문로48번길 14", "subway": "Suwon Stn (Line 1/KTX) + 12 min taxi to Hwaseomun Gate" }, { "name": "Hwaseong Fortress & Choi Ung's House (수원 화성 성곽길)", "work": "Our Beloved Summer / Itaewon Class", "addressKr": "경기 수원시 팔달구 정조로 293", "subway": "Hwaseo Stn or Suwon Stn + Bus to Jangan Park" }, { "name": "Woo Young-woo Gimbap Exterior (우영우 김밥집 행궁동)", "work": "Extraordinary Attorney Woo", "addressKr": "경기 수원시 팔달구 신풍로23번길 61", "subway": "Walkable 3 mins from Sol's House in Haengnidan-gil" } ] }, { "slug": "gangneung-jumunjin-east-coast-goblin-bts-filming-guide", "title": "Gangneung & Jumunjin East Coast Guide: From the Iconic Goblin Breakwater to BTS Bus Stop & Anmok Coffee Street", "subtitle": "Plan the ultimate 1-day KTX East Sea pilgrimage across Gangwon Province's turquoise beaches, buckwheat fields, and oceanfront roasteries.", "region": "Gangwon (East Coast)", "district": "Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do", "date": "2026-10-27", "readTime": "8 min read", "wordCount": 1120, "heroImage": "https://kspotkorea.co.kr/assets/hero-jumunjin.jpg", "featuredWorks": [ "Goblin (Guardian)", "BTS", "The Glory", "Twenty-Five Twenty-One" ], "relatedSpotIds": [ 8, 9 ], "summary": "Only 1 hour and 50 minutes from Seoul Station on the KTX-Eum high-speed train, Gangneung's Jumunjin coastline combines the Goblin red-scarf breakwater and BTS's 'You Never Walk Alone' album cover bus stop.", "sections": [ { "heading": "Why Gangneung Is Korea's #1 Coastal Pilgrimage for K-Drama & K-Pop Fans", "paragraphs": [ "Stretching along the crystal-clear East Sea in Gangwon Province, Gangneung (강릉) offers a dramatic coastal contrast to Seoul's neon skyline. Thanks to the KTX Gangneung Line built for the 2018 Winter Olympics, travelers can board a high-speed train at Seoul Station or Cheongnyangni Station in the morning and stand beside crashing turquoise waves under two hours later.", "Two of the most photographed pop-culture landmarks in modern Korean history sit just 3.5 kilometers apart along the northern Jumunjin shoreline: the stone breakwater where Ji Eun-tak first summoned Kim Shin by blowing out a birthday candle in Goblin (Guardian), and the pastel oceanfront bus stop reproduced for BTS's 'You Never Walk Alone' ('Spring Day') album jacket." ] }, { "heading": "Exact Coordinates & Photography Tips Along Jumunjin Coast", "paragraphs": [ "1. Jumunjin Breakwater — Goblin Red Scarf Pier (주문진 방사제 — 1609 Haean-ro, Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung-si): Unlike the northern fishery harbor breakwater, the exact filming jetty is opposite café street at Yeongjin Beach / Jumunjin southern coastal road. Nearby cafés rent red knit scarves and white buckwheat flower bouquets so you can recreate the exact framing from Episode 1.", "2. BTS Bus Stop at Hyangho Beach (주문진 BTS 버스정류장 — 210-125 Hyangho-ri, Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung-si): Built at the exact spot on the sandy edge of Hyangho Beach where BTS photographed the 'You Never Walk Alone' jacket, this shelter looks directly out over the horizon of the East Sea. Arrive before 10:00 AM on weekdays for clear, queue-free photos.", "3. Anmok Beach Coffee Street (안목해변 커피거리 — Changhae-ro 14beon-gil, Gangneung-si): After exploring Jumunjin in the morning, head south to Anmok Beach, where over 30 specialty coffee roasteries line the white-sand promenade with multi-story glass windows overlooking the waves." ] }, { "heading": "Local Gangneung Delicacies & KTX Travel Tips", "paragraphs": [ "Must-Eat Dishes in Gangneung: Chodang Sundubu (초당순두부 — silky uncurdled tofu simmered with clean East Sea seawater, including spicy seafood jjamppong sundubu and black-sesame sundubu gelato), Jumunjin fresh snow crab & raw fish market, and Gangneung Jungang Market's crispy dakgangjeong (sweet-spicy glazed chicken).", "Transportation Tip: Book your round-trip KTX tickets to Gangneung Station at least 1–2 weeks in advance if traveling on a Friday or weekend. From Gangneung KTX Station, Gangneung City sets up an official Tourist Taxi program (3-hour flat-rate private taxi) that covers Jumunjin Breakwater, BTS Bus Stop, Arte Museum, and Anmok Beach seamlessly." ] } ], "spotHighlights": [ { "name": "Jumunjin Breakwater (도깨비 주문진 방사제)", "work": "Goblin (Guardian)", "addressKr": "강원 강릉시 주문진읍 해안로 1609", "subway": "Gangneung KTX Stn + 25 min coastal taxi / Bus #300" }, { "name": "BTS You Never Walk Alone Bus Stop (향호해변 BTS 정류장)", "work": "BTS", "addressKr": "강원 강릉시 주문진읍 향호리 8-55", "subway": "5 min drive north from Jumunjin Breakwater" } ] }, { "slug": "itaewon-namsan-yongsan-seoul-skyline-kdrama-guide", "title": "Itaewon, Namsan & Yongsan: Walking Through Itaewon Class, HYBE K-Pop Landmarks & Seoul Skyline Filming Spots", "subtitle": "Follow Park Sae-royi's footsteps from Noksapyeong Overpass and Danbam rooftops up to Namsan Seoul Tower and Yongsan's K-Pop hub.", "region": "Seoul", "district": "Yongsan-gu, Seoul", "date": "2026-10-27", "readTime": "7 min read", "wordCount": 1050, "heroImage": "https://kspotkorea.co.kr/assets/hero-namsan-day.jpg", "featuredWorks": [ "Itaewon Class", "BTS", "Lovely Runner", "True Beauty" ], "relatedSpotIds": [ 1, 2, 10 ], "summary": "Yongsan-gu connects Seoul's most famous panoramic observatory—Namsan Seoul Tower—with the hillside rooftop bars of Haebangchon, Itaewon Class pedestrian bridges, and the global headquarters of HYBE.", "sections": [ { "heading": "Why Yongsan & Namsan Deliver the Ultimate Seoul Panorama", "paragraphs": [ "Rising 243 meters at the geographical center of Seoul, Namsan Mountain and the surrounding neighborhoods of Yongsan-gu (Itaewon, Haebangchon, Gyeongnidan, and Hangangjin) create dramatic multi-level streetscapes. Steep hillside stairs, pedestrian overpasses framing Namsan Seoul Tower, and rooftop terraces overlooking the Han River make Yongsan a visual signature of modern K-Dramas.", "In Itaewon Class, almost every pivotal turning point in Park Sae-royi's journey was filmed along the ridge connecting Noksapyeong Station, Haebangchon (HBC), and Huam-dong's Namsan Park Fortress Wall trail." ] }, { "heading": "Top Verified Filming Spots in Yongsan-gu", "paragraphs": [ "1. Noksapyeong Pedestrian Overpass (녹사평역 육교 — 195 Noksapyeong-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul): Step out of Noksapyeong Station (Subway Line 6, Exit 3) and walk 150 meters onto the steel pedestrian bridge. Looking north, the avenue curves uphill directly toward Namsan Seoul Tower—the exact frame where Park Sae-royi stands deep in thought throughout Itaewon Class.", "2. Oriole & The Finest Rooftop Line in Haebangchon (해방촌 루프탑 거리 — Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul): Climb the hillside road toward Namsan Sowol-gil to find the real-life rooftop pub buildings featured as the second Danbam location and finale kiss viewpoint.", "3. Namsan Seoul Tower & Locks of Love Terrace (남산서울타워 — 105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul): Featured in Boys Over Flowers, My Love from the Star, True Beauty, and Legend of the Blue Sea, the Namsan Cable Car and Namsan Observation Deck remain Seoul's #1 romantic landmark." ] }, { "heading": "Combining Namsan with HYBE Insight Cafe District in Yongsan", "paragraphs": [ "Ten minutes southwest of Noksapyeong by subway or bus lies Hangang-daero near Sinyongsan Station (Line 4, Exit 2), home to the HYBE Headquarters building. The blocks behind HYBE are packed with fan-favorite specialty coffee shops, birthday event cafes, and traditional Korean barbecue restaurants frequented by K-Pop artists and choreographers.", "Best Time to Visit: Start at Sinyongsan / HYBE in the early afternoon, ride Line 6 to Noksapyeong Overpass & Haebangchon around 4:30 PM for golden hour, and take the Namsan Circular Bus (#01A or #01B) up to Namsan Seoul Tower just as the city lights switch on." ] } ], "spotHighlights": [ { "name": "Namsan Seoul Tower & Locks of Love (남산서울타워)", "work": "My Love from the Star / True Beauty / Boys Over Flowers", "addressKr": "서울 용산구 남산공원길 105", "subway": "Myeongdong Stn (Line 4, Exit 3) · 10 min walk to Namsan Cable Car" }, { "name": "Haebangchon Overpass & Danbam Street (녹사평 육교 & 이태원 단밤거리)", "work": "Itaewon Class", "addressKr": "서울 용산구 녹사평대로 195", "subway": "Noksapyeong Stn (Line 6, Exit 3) · 2 min walk" } ] } ]