Soul Spots Helps K-Drama Lovers Locate Favorite Filming Sites In Seoul
As a city that's the backdrop for so many popular Korean dramas, Seoul recently designated 30 key filming locations as Soul Spots. The name Soul Spot suggests places infused with the spirit of the characters in popular k-dramas. Each location is marked with a plaque and related stories to help visitors connect with the works filmed there.
Here are some of the city's Soul Spots and the dramas they highlight..
Crash Course in Romance
'Crash Course in Romance' stars Jeon Do-yeon and Jung Kyung-ho.
Crash Course in Romance is the unlikely love story between a star cram school instructor and the owner of a side-dish shop. It features a variety of everyday locations in Seoul, including schools and private academies in Gangnam — the area most synonymous with Korea's fervent education culture — to add a sense of realism. Garak Market, a designated Soul Spot and the largest agricultural and seafood market in Gangnam, serves as the backdrop for a romantic scene where the two main characters enjoy a date while selecting fresh produce.
Seokchan Lake
Seokchon Lake, a large lake nestled in the heart of the city, is a beloved walking spot known for its stunning scenery year-round. In Crash Course in Romance the lake serves as the backdrop for a scene where the main character, navigating the pressures of the competitive private education world, goes for a morning jog to clear his mind. As a popular waterfront filming location in Seoul, Seokchon Lake is also featured in dramas such as Family: The Unbreakable Bond and Love Alarm. In spring, it's one of Seoul's most popular spots to check out cherry blossoms.
Seokcheon Lake is a favorite location in cherry blossom season.
Marry My Husband
Park Min-young stars in the Korean drama 'Marry My Husband.'
Marry My Husband is a time-travel drama where the heroine dies after being betrayed by her husband and best friend, then returns to the past to take revenge. The show became a global hit - ranking No. 1 in Amazon Prime Video's global TV show category, a first for a Korean drama. Various urban locations in Seoul served as filming backdrops, including Cheonggyecheon Stream (a designated Soul Spot), Gwanghwamun Gate, Myeong-dong, Yeouido, and Gangnam.
Nodeul Island
Located in the middle of the Han River, Nodeul Island offers a mix of cultural facilities, green spaces, and sweeping views. Its beautiful sunset scenery makes it a popular destination for couples and families. In Marry My Husband, the island serves as the backdrop for a scene where the heroine goes on a date with her boyfriend and opens up about her changed life. Among the numerous Han River parks, Nodeul Island is one of the most frequently used filming sites, having appeared in titles like Bong Joon-ho's film The Host, the film Kill Boksoon, and the dramas The Judge from Hell, Cinderella at 2 AM, Good Partner, Castaway Diva and My Demon.
Nodeul Island has been featured in several dramas, including 'Marry My Husband.'
Lovely Runner
Kim Hye-yoon and Byron Woo-seok star in 'Lovely Runner.'
Lovely Runner is a time-travel romance drama in which a woman is devastated by the sudden death of her favorite idol. In an effort to save him, she travels 15 years into the past. The drama ranked No. 1 in 130 countries after its release on Rakuten Viki. It also topped the charts on major platforms such as U-NEXT, iQIYI, and Viu, showcasing the power of Korean romance dramas.
The drama, starring Kim Hye-yoon and Byeon Woo-seok, is set against a striking backdrop of Seoul locations such as Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Hongdae to nostalgic settings like Insadong and Choongang High School.
Seongbukcheon Stream
Seongbukcheon Stream is a small stream nestled between residential neighborhoods in northern Seoul, offering a quiet, natural retreat. With its flowing water, trees, and graceful bridges, the area is especially popular in spring when the cherry blossom trees lining the stream burst into full bloom. In Lovely Runner it serves as the setting for a pivotal scene where the female lead picks up a watch by the stream, presses a button, and travels back in time, marking the moment she begins to understand the rules of time travel.
Seongbukcheon Spring plays a prominent role in 'Lovely Runner.'
Bokjeong Well
Another key ocation is Bokjeong Well. Hidden within the alleys of Bukchon Hanok Village, Bokjeong Well is no longer in use today, but it is said that its water was once so pure it was used in the royal court during the Joseon Dynasty era. Surrounded by stone walls, hanok (traditional Korean houses), and timeworn alleys, the well is a popular filming location for many dramas. In Lovely Runner, it appears in a scene where the female lead, disguised as a monk, warns her love interest in an attempt to change his fate. The well has also been featured in various other productions, including Hotel Del Luna, My Man Is Cupid, and Forecasting Love and Weather, serving as a setting that deepens the sense of time.
The k-drama Soul Spot sites were selected by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
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