Travelling's fun when you combine it with your interest. A Korean drama fan bucket list will be visiting the drama locations. It's fun to experience what you saw on screen in real life!
Even if you don’t watch K-dramas, the places are still awesome to visit. I mean, how could you resist K-dramas when the hero's looking like he just walked out from a comic book?
P.S. Don’t forget to download the HHWT Travel Planner app, available on Google Play for Android and iTunes Store for iOS, to make your trip to Seoul a fuss-free one!
1. Bukchon Hanok Village
Drama : Personal Taste (Lee Min Ho, Son Ye Jin)
Bukchon Hanok Village is a traditional house village called “Hanok”, where tourists can also book a stay there. In the drama Personal Taste, the character stays in one of the houses called “Sanggojae”. Bukchon Hanok Village is an actual residential area, so please keep your voice down during your visit.
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The “Sanggojae” house is located in Buckhon Hanok Village:
Credit: koreanclicks
Website:http://bukchon.seoul.go.kr/eng/index.jsp
Address: 37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Nearest subway: Anguk Station Exit 2. Walk around 5 -10minutes.
2. Hongdae Playground
Drama: A Gentleman's Dignity (Jang Dong-gun, Lee Jong Hyun), The First Shop Of Coffee Prince (Gong Yoo, Yoon Eun-hye)
This is one of Hongdae's landmarks. Flea markets (every Sunday), busking performances, and various events are held here.
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Address: 19-3, Wausan-ro 21-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Direction: In front of Hongik University Entrance (8 minutes’ walk) from Hongik University Station Exit 9
3. The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince in Hongdae
Drama: The First Shop Of Coffee Prince (Gong Yoo, Yoon Eun-hye)
This café is the main location of the drama The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince, where the heroine pretends to be a guy so that she can work there as a waiter. The café also serves Americano, smoothies and juices from 6000 Won onwards.
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Note: Beverages served are non-alcoholic, so drink at your own discretion.
Address: 337-2, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Nearest subway: Hongik University Station Exit 8
Directions: Turn right at Seven Springs corner and pass the intersection. At the 3-way intersection, turn left. Walk about 100 meters on the road above the playground and walk towards the road on the right side. Walk about 500 meters until you find the coffee shop on the right.
#HHWT Tip: Grab a halal meal and perform your prayers at Boa Travel House in Hongdae! (You can find this information in our HHWT Travel App)
Website:http://www.boatravelhouse.com/main/main.php?lang=eng
Address: 15, Sinchon-ro 1-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea (03785)
Nearest subway: Hongik University Exit 4
4. Yoon's Color (Formerly, Four Seasons House)
Drama: Love Rain , Autumn in my Heart, Winter Sonata, Summer Scent, Spring Waltz and Snow Queen
Owned by the drama director Yoon Suk-Ho, this place is famous for being the shooting location of all of his hit dramas related to the 4 seasons. The basement displays props, items, photos and sets from each drama. Come and experience all 4 seasons and weathers in one visit!
Credit: Carrie Ang
Credit: Carrie Ang
Website:http://www.yoonscolor.com
Address: 12, Wausan-ro 14-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Operating hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00-18:30, Sunday 11:00-18:30
Entrance fee: 5,000 won (free admission for children under the age of 7)
Nearest subway: Sangsu Station Exit 2. It's a 3 minutes’ walk to Hongik University
5. Seoul 63 Square ( 63 Building)
Drama: My Girl (Lee Dong Wook ,Lee Da Hae)
In the drama, the heroine holds her breath in an elevator from the ground floor to the observatory level, all the while making a wish in the hopes that it'll be granted. Parodies are allowed but make sure you don’t faint, LOL. On a more serious note, 63 Building is one of the tallest buildings in Seoul. From the building, you can view the Hangang River and the surrounding Bugaksan, Namsan and Gwanaksan Mountains. Attractions include the 63 Art , 63 Sea World and the 63 IMAX theatre.
Credit: International Fiscal Association
P.S. The building was also one of the “Running Man” mission locations in episode 190, where the cast had to climb the stairs.
Website:http://www.63.co.kr
Address: 50, 63-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Entrance fee: 63 Sky Art - Adults: 13,000 won / Teens: 12,000 won / Children & seniors: 11,000 won
Operating hours: 10:00-22:00 (63 Sky Art)
Nearest subway:
- Yeouinaru Station (Seoul Subway Line 5), Exit 1. Take Bus No. 5534, 5633 or 261.
- Yeoido Station (Seoul Subway Line 5), Exit 5. Take the free shuttle or Bus No. 11 in front of St. Mary’s Hospital Bus Stop.
6. N Seoul Tower
Drama: My Love From The Star (Kim Soo Hyun , Jun Ji Hyun), Boys Over Flowers (Lee Min Ho, Go Hye Sun)
Featured as the best dating place in the drama, N Seoul Tower is a famous tourist spot in Seoul. Couples visit the tower to lock their "padlock of love" on the railing while wishing for their love to remain eternally (Awww!). The observatory of the tower offers a panoramic view of Seoul. It's also accessible by bus and cable car.
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Credit: dramago
Website:nseoultower.co.kr
Address: 105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Entrance fee: Adults: 10,000 won / Children & seniors: 8,000 won (Observatory)
Operating hours: Sunday-Friday, 10:00-23:00 / Saturday, 10:00-24:00 (Observatory)
Nearest subway: Myeong-dong Station Exit 2, Take Namsan Circular Shuttle Bus No. 05
Cable car: Boarding point at Myeong-dong Station Exit 3, walk for about 15 minutes following the street of the right side of the Pacific Hotel.
- Operating hours: 10:00 - 23:00
- Admission fees:
- Adults (Roundtrip): Individuals 8,500 won / Groups 7,000 won
- Adults (One-way): Individuals 6,000 won / Groups 5,000 won
- Children (Roundtrip): Individuals 5,500 won / Groups 4,500 won
- Children (One-way): Individuals 3,500 won / Groups 3,000 won
7. Coex Aquarium
Drama: I Can Hear Your Voice ( Lee Jong Suk, Lee Bo Young), My Lovely Samsoon (Lee Dong Wook , Kim Sun Ah)
In I Can Hear Your Voice, the hero has the ability to read people's minds! He loves aquarium as it's where he can relax his mind (poor oppa!). The COEX Aquarium is also a famous tourist spot which showcases no less than 40,000 sea creatures.
Credit : Robert Koehler
Credit : k-dramaland
Website:http://www.coexaqua.com/index_eng.asp
Address: 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Operating hours: 10:00 AM ~ 08:00 PM (Open 365 days a year)
Entrance fee: Adults 22,000 won / Middle to high school students 19,000 won / Children 16,000 won / Seniors 16,500 won
Nearest subway: Samseong Station Exit 5 & 6. (connected with Coex Mall)
#HHWT Tips: The prayer room is located at Coex Mall ( 3rd Floor, near Hall E)
The next 3 spots are not exactly in Seoul but it is still accessible via train (1 hour plus journey)!
8. Nami Island
Drama: Winter Sonata
Any K-drama tour is incomplete without visiting Nami Island. The ultimate K-drama, mother of Hallyu spread. Winter Sonata turns this man-made island into “a must go tourist spot”. The view is beautiful throughout all 4 seasons!
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Website:namisum.com
Address: 1, Namisum-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
Ferry schedule:
07:30-09:00 (30 min intervals)
* First ferry: Departure from Gapyeong Naru 07:30 / Nami Naru 07:35
09:00-18:00 (10-20 min intervals)
18:00-21:40 (30 min intervals)
* Last ferry: Departure from Gapyeong Naru 21:40 / Nami Naru 21:45
Entrance fee: Foreigner -8000won
Directions: From Gapyeong Bus Terminal or Gapyeong Station, take a taxi to Namiseom parking lot. Approximate fare is less than 5000 won(Travel time: 10-15 min)
#HHWT Tip: Grab some halal meal at Dongmun, a halal certified restaurant in Nami Island (next to the Musolla)!
9. Petite France
Drama: My Love From The Star (Kim Soo Hyun , Jun Ji Hyun), Secret Garden (Ha Ji Won, Hyun Bin)
A French village in the country side of Korea, the village is another K-drama location for the famous variety show Running Man. You can find a memorial hall dedicated to Saint-Exupery, the author of the celebrated French novel, Le Petit Prince (1943). Accommodation is provided with 34 guest rooms. Much like the hit K-drama My Love From The Star, visitors can also pretend to be the lovely couple with their standee.
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Credit: blog.daum
Website:http://www.pfcamp.com
Address: 1063, Hoban-ro, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Operating hours: 09:00-18:00
Entrance fee: Adults - 8,000 won
Directions: Take taxi at Cheongpyeong Station to Petite France.
You can also take Gapyeong City tour shuttle bus at Gapyeong Station, which covers Nami Island, Petite France and other attractions.
Gapyeong City Tour (Course A) by shuttle bus (6000won):
Gapyeong Intercity Bus Terminal → Gapyeong Station → Jaraseom Island → Gapyeong Rail Bike → Namiseom Island → Geumdae-ri Meeting Hall → Bokjjangni Samgeori Three-way Intersection → Petite France → Homyeong-ri → Cheongpyeong Bus Terminal → Cheongpyeong Station (Sin Cheongpyeong Station) → Im Elementary School → The Garden of Morning Calm
10. Jade Garden Natural Arboretum
Drama: That Winter, the Wind Blows (Song Hye Kyo, Jo In Sung), Moorim School (Lee Hyun Woo, Lee Hong Bin), Love Rain (Jang Geun Seuk, Yoona)
Jade Garden is home to over 3,000 plant species such as rhododendron, maple trees, irises, blueberry bushes as well as patches of thick, natural forests. The view from the European-influenced building is magnificent throughout the seasons, thus it's famous for being a drama location.
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Website: http://www.hanwharesort.co.kr
Address: 80, Haetgol-gil, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
Operating hours: 09:00-Sunset (18:00-19:30)
Entrance fee: Adults - 8,500 won
Directions: From Gulbongsan Station, take a free shuttle bus to Jade Garden.
Shuttle bus schedule
Gulbongsan Station → Jade Garden: 10:45-16:45, 1 hour interval (Bus departing at 12:45 available on Weekends & Holidays only)
Jade Garden → Gulbongsan Station: 11:10-17:10, 1 hour interval
* No bus services at 12:10
#HHWT Tip: You can also take a taxi to Jade Garden from Nami Island (15 minutes) Approximate fare is 8000won. Take the free shuttle back to station.
So there you have it, the top 10 K-drama locations for all K-drama fans! I'll be having withdrawal symptoms once Descendants of The Sun is finished but is all is well now with “W -Two Worlds” lol! Having said that, I hope “W” will also come up with interesting drama locations. Kangcheol fighting!
If you’re planning your trip, don’t forget to download the HHWT Travel Planner available on both Google Play for Android and the iTunes Store for iOS!