I really enjoyed my 2024 summer in Korea. My goal this year is to return to K-Land for shorter but more frequent trips. Unlike in past years, when I spent 20 days to a month in my favorite country, this strategy allows me to experience Korea during its different seasons (and take breaks in between).
It was also an opportunity to visit updated places. Something I've realized through years of traveling to Korea is that it’s always changing. One time, Everland was filled with tulips; on my next trip, it was already adorned with orange and red plants and decorations for autumn and Halloween.
Aside from seasonal changes, restaurants and cafes also come and go. Just as concepts and trends quickly evolve in the Land of the Morning Calm, Korean dramas are, of course, ever-changing as well. When I visited during spring, it was the era of Queen of Tears and the start of Lovely Runner, and by the time I returned in summer, Love Next Door was just starting on Netflix.
I decided to let go of some items on my itinerary to focus on Love Next Door, starring Jung Hae In and Somin. A quick online search brings up plenty of posts and guides on where even the latest Korean dramas have filmed their scenes. One site I used as a reference for Love Next Door was @kdramalocation on Instagram.
At that time, only up to Episode 4 had aired, and here are the locations in Seoul that I was able to visit:
Official Poster
📍 Stairs to Ihwa Mural Village
Google Maps:
Ihwajang 1na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
or
서울 종로구 이화장1나길
Tteokbokki Restaurant
📍 Wang Jjanggu Restaurant
Google Maps:
83 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
or
서울 종로구 계동길 83
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| It's not the dad's tteokbokki place, but the first restaurant Seok-ryu and Mo-eum visited when the lead girl unexpectedly returned to Korea from America |
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| Instead of tteokbokki, they sell kalguksu and some Korean noodles and snacks |
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| Selfie with the owner! |
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| Photo with a Pinoy family that entered the resto while I was there! |
I think this was the highlight of my pilgrimage because I was about to leave when the restaurant owner didn’t recognize the drama (lol), but I decided to stay and have my lunch anyway. While I was in the middle of eating my kalguksu, a large family, who turned out to also be from the Philippines, entered the restaurant for snacks. They recognized that I was Filipino, and we had a pleasant conversation about our travels. I even got to 'practice' my 1A Korean with the owner to relay messages from the Filipino family! Akk!
On the Way to Office
📍 Anguk
Google Maps:
177 Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
or
서울 종로구 안국동 177
The pin isn't accurate but I just walked till the end. When you reach the Yeollin Songhyeon Square on your right, look at your left side and you'll spot the pathway where the scene was shot.
Choi Seung Hyo’s Office
📍 NGT Building
Google Maps:
73 Yanghwa-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
or
서울 마포구 양화로3길 73
Playground Scene
📍 Cheongun Park Multipurpose Sports Field
Google Maps:
7-6 Cheongun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
or
서울 종로구 청운동 7-6
This was the most challenging place to visit because it's more accessible by car. I had to walk up sloped roads to reach the area, only to realize that the monkey bars were not actually there—they were just built as part of the drama set.
The Love Next Door houses turned out to be in Daejeon (around 1-2 hours from Seoul), so I decided to skip that one. For the other locations, check out https://www.instagram.com/kdramalocation/!
I am currently up to date with the latest episode of Love Next Door, and I just finished watching Episode 10. I'm really curious about how this drama will progress—so excited and hoping for a great storyline and (PLEASE) an amazing soundtrack for Choi Seung-hyo and Bae Seok-ryu!
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| Rooting for you both! |
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