Squid Game (오징어 게임) became the most-watched Netflix series ever — and since then, fans have been tracking down every real location used in the production. While the game arena sets were built in studios, many of the real-world Seoul and Korean locations are very much visitable.
Here's your complete guide to the filming locations you can actually visit.
The iconic game arenas — the Green Light Red Light field, the honeycomb room, the marbles courtyard — were purpose-built sets at Daejeon's Chungnam National University and the Yongin Daejanggeum Theme Park. Some have been partially recreated as tourist experiences. The real-world Seoul locations are listed below.
Seoul locations
The steep staircase and cramped alleyways of Ssangmun-dong in northern Seoul served as Gi-hun's home neighbourhood throughout the series. The area is a real working-class district — one of those parts of Seoul that hasn't been redeveloped, making it feel authentic and lived-in. The actual staircase Gi-hun runs up is here and easily findable.
Take Subway Line 4 to Ssangmun Station (Exit 2). The filming staircase is about a 10-minute walk from the station. Search "쌍문동 오징어게임 계단" on Naver Maps for the exact location. The neighbourhood is best explored on foot.
Several pivotal scenes were filmed at and around Mapo Bridge on the Han River — including moments that establish the desperate financial situations of the characters. The Han River parks in this area are among Seoul's most popular recreational spaces, beautiful at any time of year and especially lively on weekends.
Take Subway Line 5 to Mapo Station (Exit 1) and walk to the bridge. Or take Line 6 to Hapjeong Station and walk along the river. The Han River park is free to enter and open 24 hours.
Outside Seoul
The production built many of the game sets on the grounds of Chungnam National University in Daejeon. While the original sets have been taken down, the university campus itself is visitable and became a significant location in Korean pop culture history. Daejeon is also worth visiting in its own right — it's Korea's science city, with excellent food and the Expo Science Park.
From Seoul Station, take KTX high-speed train to Daejeon Station (about 50 minutes). From Daejeon Station, take a taxi or bus to Chungnam National University (about 20 minutes). Combine with a visit to Daejeon's Yuseong hot spring district.
This large outdoor film studio in Yongin was used for additional Squid Game set construction and has been used for hundreds of other K-dramas. The park has permanent sets representing historical Korean architecture and is open to visitors as a tourist attraction. If you're a K-drama fan, you'll recognise streets and buildings from dozens of other shows.
From Seoul, take the Bundang subway line to Bojeong Station, then a taxi (about 20 minutes). Alternatively, shuttle buses run from central Seoul on weekends. Entry fee applies; check current hours before visiting.
For Season 2, several outdoor scenes were filmed on Seungbong Island, a small and relatively undeveloped island off the coast of Incheon. The island is known for its beautiful beaches and is popular with Korean domestic tourists seeking a quiet escape from Seoul. Visiting gives you both a filming location experience and a genuine taste of Korean island life.
From Incheon Ferry Terminal (인천 연안부두), take a ferry to Seungbong Island (about 2 hours). Ferries run several times daily but schedules vary by season — check the Incheon Port Authority website for current timetables. Accommodation is available on the island for overnight stays.
Tips for Squid Game location hunting
- Use Naver Maps, not Google — Search Korean location names in Hangul for better results in local areas.
- The game sets don't exist anymore — Don't travel specifically expecting to see the honeycomb room or the doll. Those were temporary studio builds.
- Ssangmun-dong is the most rewarding — The real neighbourhood gives you the authentic feel of the world Gi-hun lived in. More moving than any studio set.
- Combine with a Squid Game experience — Several companies in Seoul offer Squid Game-themed experience events where you can play the games. Search "Squid Game experience Seoul" for current options.
Also check our guides to Crash Landing on You locations and Goblin locations.