Top 5 Korean Dramas 2025–2026: Real Filming Locations for Tourists

Tourist taking a phone photo at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul — a K-drama filming location — Palaces, markets, and villages from K-dramas are real map pins in South Korea — if you plan day-by-day logistics ahead of time.

A K-drama fan tour is more than selfies at palace gates. You need multi-city routing, a Jeju flight, and food between locations — see our Japan & Korea food guide and budget convenience-store snacks in CU and GS25. Before you go, add a Korea eSIM and travel insurance — it makes booking KTX and Seoul–Jeju flights much easier.

5 hit dramas of 2025 and where they were filmed

2025

When Life Gives You Tangerines

Jeju, Andong, Gochang County

This romantic series became a tourism magnet for Jeju Island. Natural panoramas were shot there: the Seongsan Ilchulbong crater and the white-sand Gimnyeong Beach feature prominently. 1950s village scenes were built on the mainland in colorful Andong, which preserved authentic traditional architecture. Romantic episodes also used barley fields in Gochang County.

Route logic: 2–3 days on Jeju (nature + beach), then KTX or an intercity bus to Andong. Couples can use our 3-day romantic Seoul plan as a base before flying to the island.

2025

Squid Game 2

Seoul, Incheon, Daejeon studios

The long-awaited second season, which premiered in November 2025, again contrasted brutal games with everyday Seoul. Game bunkers were built in Daejeon studios, but street scenes used real neighborhoods: Pegun Market in northern Seoul, Namsan Park with views of N Seoul Tower, and a theme park on Wolmido Island in Incheon.

Combine all three with evening street food — snack ideas in our Korean food guide. Stay at a central Seoul hotel to reach Namsan without long transfers.

2025

Trauma Center

Pocheon, Sanjeong Lake

This medical drama has a real facade you can visit: famous "Doldam Hospital" is a former family hotel on the shore of Sanjeong Lake in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. You cannot go inside — the hotel closed in 2012 — but the building sits on a lakeside walking trail that is pleasant year-round.

Pocheon is a typical day trip from Seoul by intercity bus. Pair it with free activities from our free things to do in any city guide.

2025

Enchanted Palace

Gyeongbokgung, Seoul

This SBS fantasy drama plunges viewers into Joseon-era mysticism inside the royal residence. To feel that history in person, head to Gyeongbokgung— the main palace in central Seoul, often called Korea's "Kremlin." Classic gates, tiled roofs, and courtyards make the best hanbok photo backdrop.

A ready-made architecture-focused plan is in our 3-day Seoul route for architecture lovers. A guided palace tour saves queue time — book a Gyeongbokgung tour.

2025

Chef Tyrant

Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul

This tvN historical-culinary hit sparked interest in traditional daily life. In Seoul, that spirit lives best in Bukchon Hanok Village — a maze of paved alleys and hanok homes over 600 years old. The district captures old Korea without leaving the capital.

After wandering the alleys, try BBQ from our food guide. For series-style shots, see how to shoot a travel vlog and vacation video ideas.

Tourist route logistics

Planning transfers between these spots takes attention — especially if you build the route in an LLM or manually from a list of "pretty pins." The table below is a quick orientation guide.

Location (drama)	City / region	Tips for visitors
Pegun Market (Squid Game 2)	Seoul	Street locations from the series; easy to combine with an evening market visit
Gyeongbokgung Palace (Enchanted Palace)	Seoul	Main palace downtown — best hanbok photos at the gates
Doldam Hospital (Trauma Center)	Pocheon	Facade on Sanjeong Lake trail; no entry, but the walk around the lake is worth it
Traditional village (When Life Gives You Tangerines)	Andong	Authentic 1950s atmosphere without studio sets
Seongsan Ilchulbong crater (When Life Gives You Tangerines)	Jeju Island	Sunrise at the crater — a must for drama fans and nature lovers

On DIY trips, people often pick beautiful locations but lose half the vacation to bus connections. AlpacaBag does not just drop pins on a map — it builds logistics without duplicated paths or wasted time. Set interests, dates, and budget in the route builder.

Estimate costs in our travel budget calculator, compare seasons in the best time to travel guide, and saving tips in how to save money while traveling.

Build your K-drama filming-location route

Set Seoul, Jeju, and mainland days — AlpacaBag connects palaces, markets, and nature spots in one plan without extra transfers.

Create a route

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit all K-drama filming locations in one South Korea trip?

Yes, but plan at least 7–10 days: 4–5 days in Seoul and nearby spots (Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon, Pegun Market, Namsan Park), 1–2 days on Jeju, and a separate day for Andong or Pocheon. Seoul–Jeju flights take about an hour; Andong is reachable by KTX or bus from the capital.

Where was Squid Game Season 2 filmed in real life?

Game bunkers were built in Daejeon studios, but street scenes were shot in Seoul: Pegun Market in the north, Namsan Park with N Seoul Tower views, and a theme park on Wolmido Island in Incheon. All three are accessible on your own.

How do I build a drama-location route without wasted transfers?

Group locations by region first: Seoul (3–4 dramas), then Jeju + Andong on the mainland, with Pocheon as a day trip from the capital. In AlpacaBag, set interests to culture and film to get logistics without backtracking.

Do you need a guide for K-drama filming spots?

Not required: palaces, markets, and Andong villages are easy solo. A guided Gyeongbokgung or Bukchon tour saves queue time and helps you find the exact angles from the shows.

Ready-made routes