Love Untangled: The Ultimate Filming Location Guide (2025)

Step back into 1998, a world before smartphones where pagers beeped and the biggest crisis a 19-year-old could face was naturally curly hair. The Netflix original film Love Untangled (고백의 역사) has captured hearts globally, not just for its sweet “first love” tropes, but for its breathtakingly nostalgic portrayal of Busan. Starring Shin Eun-soo as the determined Park Se-ri and Gong Myung as the charming Seoul transfer student Han Yoon-seok, the movie is a visual love letter to the winding hills and salty air of South Korea’s most famous coastal city.

Set against the “end-of-the-century” (세기말) aesthetic of the late 90s, the production team went to great lengths to find corners of Busan that still feel untouched by time. From the dizzying steep alleys of Yeongdo to the historic moonlit ponds of Gyeongju, this guide will take you through the real-life locations where Se-ri and Yoon-seok’s story unfolded. Grab your T-money card and a vintage cassette player; we’re going on a trip into the past!

The Journey: Episode-by-Episode Locations

1. Gudeokpo Seafront (송정 구덕포 앞바다)

• Scene: The literal “collision” of two worlds. Shortly after Han Yoon-seok (Gong Myung) arrives in Busan, he accidentally falls into the sea. Park Se-ri (Shin Eun-soo), who happens to be swimming nearby, jumps in to rescue him—marking their fateful first meeting.
• Address: 858-2 Songjeong-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan (부산광역시 해운대구 송정동 858-2)
• GoogleMap Address: 858-2 Songjeong-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan
• NaverMap Address: 858-2 Songjeong-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan

If you’re looking for a beach that isn’t dominated by the high-rise skyscrapers of central Haeundae, Gudeokpo is your spot. Located at the quieter, eastern end of Songjeong Beach, this area was chosen by the director specifically because its skyline still feels like it could belong to 1998. It’s the perfect place to sit on the pier and wonder if a handsome Seoulite might just fall into your life.

The water here is surprisingly clear, and the vibe is much more “local village” than “tourist trap.” After you’ve reenacted the rescue scene (maybe just with a photo, please!), I highly recommend taking a stroll along the nearby Haeundae Blue Line Park. It’s a modern addition, but it offers some of the best coastal views in the city.

2. Seoul Salon (서울미용실) / Jangmi Hair Salon

• Scene: This is Se-ri’s “holy grail” location. Owned by Yoon-seok’s mother, Baek Jang-mi, this is where Se-ri obsessively seeks a “Seoul Magic Straight” perm to fix her curls before confessing to her crush, Kim Hyun.
• Address: 249-19 Cheonghak-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan (부산광역시 영도구 청학동 249-19)
• GoogleMap Address: 249-19 Cheonghak-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
• NaverMap Address: 249-19 Cheonghak-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan

Walking into this location feels like stepping directly into a time machine. This is a real, functioning neighborhood salon that has been around for decades. The production team added vintage 90s hair posters and old-school perming machines to the interior, but the exterior “Seoul Salon” sign is a local icon in the Cheonghak-dong neighborhood.

While the “Seoul Magic Straight” perm might be a bit outdated now, the salon represents the film’s core theme: the struggle between wanting to change ourselves and learning to love our natural “curls.” It’s a steep climb to get here, but the view of the Busan harbor from the nearby “Cheonghak Hill” bus stop is absolutely worth the cardio workout.

3. Halmae Kalguksu (할매칼국수)

• Scene: The designated meeting place for the “Confession Team.” Park Se-ri and her childhood best friend/strategist Baek Seong-rae (Yoon Sang-hyun) plot their elaborate plan to win over the school heartthrob over bowls of steaming hand-cut noodles.
• Address: 13번지 135 Geumsa-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan (부산광역시 금정구 금사동 13번지 135)
• GoogleMap Address: 13번지 135 Geumsa-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan
• NaverMap Address: 13번지 135 Geumsa-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan

You can’t have a K-Drama experience without a “Bunsik” (snack bar) moment! Halmae Kalguksu is a real-life local legend in Busan. The interior hasn’t changed much in thirty years, which is why the director barely had to touch the set. The wooden tables and the humble atmosphere provide the perfect backdrop for Se-ri’s comedic and heartfelt plotting.

Pro tip: if you visit, you must order the kalguksu (hand-cut noodles). It’s cheap, incredibly filling, and tastes like a warm hug. It’s located near Geumsa Station (Line 4), making it an easy stop for fans who are exploring the northern parts of Busan. Just remember it’s closed on Sundays, so plan your “confession strategy” accordingly!

4. Hana-gil & Sanjeong-gil Alleys (하나길 & 산정길)

• Scene: The winding, steep paths that Se-ri and Yoon-seok walk home every day after school. These long walks are where their conversations shift from superficial hair advice to deeper personal sharing.
• Address: 89-5 Shinseon-dong 3-ga, Yeongdo-gu, Busan (부산광역시 영도구 신선동3가 89-5)
• GoogleMap Address: 89-5 Shinseon-dong 3-ga, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
• NaverMap Address: 89-5 Shinseon-dong 3-ga, Yeongdo-gu, Busan

These hills are the quintessential soul of Busan. Known as “Sanbok-doro” (mountain-side roads), these alleys offer a 360-degree view of the harbor. During filming, the crew had to cover up modern digital locks and CCTVs with 90s-style flyers and retro door props to keep the 1998 illusion alive.

Walking these paths will give you a real sense of Se-ri’s daily life. The colorful houses and the dizzying stairs reflect the vibrant yet uphill journey of being nineteen. It’s remarkably quiet and residential, so please remember to be respectful and keep your voice down while you’re snapping those photos of the harbor view.

5. Huinnyeoul Culture Village (흰여울문화마을)

• Scene: Used for several scenic strolling scenes where Se-ri and Yoon-seok have their most poignant heart-to-heart moments along the coastal cliff paths.
• Address: 1044-6 Yeongseon-dong 4-ga, Yeongdo-gu, Busan (부산광역시 영도구 흰여울길)
• GoogleMap Address: 1044-6 Yeongseon-dong 4-ga, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
• NaverMap Address: 1044-6 Yeongseon-dong 4-ga, Yeongdo-gu, Busan

If the Sanjeong-gil alleys are the “daily life” of the film, Huinnyeoul is its “romance.” Often called the “Santorini of Korea,” this village is perched on a cliff overlooking the sea. Its narrow paths and blue-and-white accents provide that “postcard aesthetic” that makes Love Untangled so visually stunning.

Once a refuge for those displaced during the Korean War, it’s now a hub for artists and cafes. Take a slow walk through the coastal tunnel and up the steep rainbow stairs. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’re at the edge of the world—or at least at the edge of a very important life decision, just like Se-ri.

6. Daereungwon & Wolji Pond (대릉원 & 동궁과 월지)

• Scene: The location for the high school field trip (수학여행). Wandering the illuminated palace grounds at night, Se-ri realizes her feelings are shifting away from her old crush and toward Yoon-seok.
• Address: 102 Wonhwa-ro, Inwang-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 경주시 원화로 102)
• GoogleMap Address: 102 Wonhwa-ro, Inwang-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
• NaverMap Address: 102 Wonhwa-ro, Inwang-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

The film takes a brief detour from Busan to Gyeongju for the quintessential student field trip. Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond are legendary for their night illumination. The reflection of the traditional pavilions in the still water is used beautifully by the director to represent Se-ri’s internal reflection and her maturing heart.

Gyeongju is an “open-air museum,” and visiting here at night is a rite of passage for every Korean student—and now, every K-Drama fan. The atmosphere is undeniably romantic and a bit mysterious. If you’re visiting, stay overnight so you can see the tombs of Daereungwon at sunset and the Wolji Pond lights right after.

7. Yeongdo Sky Observation Deck Bus Stop (영도 하늘전망대 정류장)

• Scene: The emotional climax of the film’s first act. Stand at this bus stop where Se-ri finally chooses to let go of her obsession with her hair and confesses her true, raw feelings to Yoon-seok before their separation.
• Address: 321 Jeoryeong-ro, Dongsam-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan (부산광역시 영도구 동삼동 산149-7)
• GoogleMap Address: 321 Jeoryeong-ro, Dongsam-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
• NaverMap Address: 321 Jeoryeong-ro, Dongsam-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan

This isn’t just a bus stop; it’s the confession spot. Located on the winding coastal road of Yeongdo, it offers a panoramic view of the ocean that perfectly mirrors the vastness of Se-ri’s growing feelings. Unlike her planned “tactical” confession earlier in the movie, this moment is spontaneous and honest.

Fans have flocked to this stop since the film’s release. It’s a real bus stop (served by buses 7, 71, and 508), so you can actually sit on the bench and wait for a bus while staring out at the sea. It’s particularly beautiful during the “golden hour” just before sunset.

8. Gwangalli Beach (광안리 해수욕장)

• Scene: The reunion. Years later, a matured Se-ri and Yoon-seok meet again on the sand, with the shimmering lights of the modern bridge in the distance, symbolising the “untangling” of their past.
• Address: 219 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan (부산광역시 수영구 광안해변로 219)
• GoogleMap Address: 219 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan
• NaverMap Address: 219 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan

Gwangalli serves as the perfect bookend to the film. In the early 1998 scenes, the production had to digitally remove the iconic Gwangan Bridge (which wasn’t finished then), but the final scene embraces the modern skyline. It represents how much time has passed and how both Se-ri and Yoon-seok have grown.

Today, Gwangalli is the heart of Busan’s nightlife and cafe culture. The view of the Diamond Bridge (Gwangan Bridge) at night is mandatory for any visitor. It’s the perfect place to end your Love Untangled tour—perhaps with a coffee or a craft beer, reflecting on your own “curly hair” moments in life.

Travel Tips for Fans

• T-money is King: While Busan is very walkable in specific neighborhoods, you’ll need a T-money card for the buses and subways. You can buy and top them up at any convenience store.
• Navigation: Google Maps can be a bit hit-or-miss with walking directions in the steep alleys of Yeongdo. I highly recommend downloading Kakao Map or Naver Map for more accurate pedestrian routes.
• Best Time to Visit: Spring (late March to April) is magical with cherry blossoms, but Autumn (October to November) offers the crisp, clear skies that make the 90s nostalgia of the film feel truly alive. 
• Geography Check: Yeongdo is an island connected by several bridges. It can be quite windy and several degrees cooler than the mainland, so bring a light jacket even in the summer!