8 unforgettable K-drama locations that shaped the story

In the popular fantasy K-drama Goblin, there is a  tea room where the Grim Reaper (played by Lee Dong-wook) serves drinks to souls preparing to cross into the afterlife. And the setting manages to be both grand and intimate, otherworldly and familiar—it’s built to inspire awe, yet feels perfectly suited for an intimate conversation over tea. Floor-to-ceiling shelves display a curated collection of delicate teacups and ornate teapots, giving the room the air of an impeccably styled salon. Hardly surprising, given it belongs to a stylish grim reaper with a penchant for fashionable hats and vintage brooches.

In It’s Okay Not to Be Okay, Ko Moon-young’s childhood home is more than just a backdrop, it’s a reflection of who she is—her past, her trauma and her fractured psyche. Looking like it’s been plucked straight from the pages of her gothic storybooks, the mansion is aptly nicknamed “The Cursed Castle.” With its stained-glass windows, ornate Neo-Gothic staircase, carved woodwork and dimly lit rooms, it’s a cross between a haunted manor and a grand palace—and is perfect for a dark fairytale princess like Moon-young.

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Hotel del Luna is no ordinary hotel. It’s an opulent five-star purgatory for ghosts and spirits, run by Jang Man-wol (IU), who is cursed to manage it until she atones for her past. With rooms that cater to the specific needs of its diverse guests, the ability to conjure its own private beach or starlit sky, and a grand lobby fit for royalty, Hotel del Luna is a place where ghosts with unfinished business can stay while tying up loose ends.

Any Reply 1988 fan would be more than glad to move into the small neighbourhood of Ssangmun-dong in the 1980s, where the kids were allowed to run freely between houses. Ssangmun-dong is a throwback to simpler days, when communities felt like extended families, every corner held a special memory, and growing up meant being surrounded by people who truly knew you. The houses may be modest, but they feel like home; the neighbours are nosy, but they look out for one another.

In The King: Eternal Monarch, the Kingdom of Corea, headed by Emperor Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho), exists in a parallel universe. The K-drama imagines a modern monarchy where towering skyscrapers stand alongside grand palaces. At the centre is the royal residence, a place of sweeping courtyards, ornate architecture and lush gardens—an opulent stage for political intrigue, destiny, and a love story that transcends worlds.

In Crash Landing on You, South Korean heiress Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) crash-lands in a North Korean village after a paragliding accident and meets the noble North Korean officer, Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin). The town itself may be a little too rustic for her liking, but it’s not without its charms. True, the neighbours are as nosy as they come, but they’re wonderfully eccentric. They lead simple lives rooted in family and community, offering warmth and solidarity that slowly win her over.

In the popular crime K-drama Vincenzo, Geumga Plaza may look like an ordinary building, but there’s hidden treasure within its walls. And no, it’s not just the gold bars buried beneath the basement—it’s the rich mix of kooky tenants who call it home. From the owner of the laundrette to the chef of an Italian restaurant, they bring more than just comedy and chaos, but also special skills and unexpected loyalty, becoming unlikely allies in Vincenzo’s high-stakes battle for justice.

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