Squid Game 1: The Ultimate Filming Location Guide (2021)

“Green light! Red light!” Even if you haven’t seen the show (though, let’s be real, you definitely have), those four words are enough to send a shiver down your spine. Netflix’s Squid Game (2021) didn’t just break the internet; it shattered global viewing records and turned our childhood games into a survival of the fittest. While the lethal playground on a remote island was a set, the “Hell” that our 456 players were trying to escape? That was filmed right in the heart of the Seoul metropolitan area.

The story of Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo), and the desperate 454 others takes us through the gritty backstreets of Ssangmun-dong and the neon-lit corners of Incheon. If you’re ready to walk the path of the players (without the life-threatening debt, hopefully), grab your green tracksuit and follow me on this journey. We’re heading to the real-world locations that gave Squid Game its haunting, hyper-realistic soul.

The Journey: Episode-by-Episode Locations

1. Yangjae Citizen’s Forest Station (양재시민의숲역)

• Scene: In Episode 1, a broke and bruised Gi-hun is approached by the mysterious “Salesman” (Gong Yoo) on the subway platform for a high-stakes game of ddakji.
• GoogleMap Address: 237 Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul
• NaverMap Address: 237 Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul

This is where it all began—the literal gateway to the games. While Gi-hun is supposedly in his home neighborhood, this station on the modern Shinbundang Line was chosen for its clean, sleek aesthetic, which creates a sharp contrast to Gi-hun’s disheveled state. Standing on the platform, you can almost hear the rhythmic “thwack” of the paper tiles and see the Salesman’s enigmatic smile.

Wait, did you hear that? If a handsome man in a suit approaches you here with a $100 bill and a red tile, maybe just take the subway and go home. Unless you’re really good at taking a slap! The station itself is very modern and easy to visit, located right next to the beautiful Yangjae Citizen’s Forest—perfect for a post-ddakji stroll to calm your nerves.

2. Namsan Mountain Park (남산공원)

• Scene: In Episode 2, after the players vote to leave the game, Gi-hun and Sae-byeok are unceremoniously dumped on the side of a road near Namsan Park, tied up and in their underwear.
• GoogleMap Address: 231 Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
• NaverMap Address: 231 Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

Welcome back to “Hell”! This scene is iconic for its juxtaposition: the sparkling, million-dollar Seoul skyline in the background and our “heroes” tied up like grocery bags in the foreground. It’s a cold, hard reminder of the social inequality that drives the logic of the games.

The exact spot is on a winding road near Namsan Park, a place usually teeming with tourists heading to the Seoul Tower to lock their “love padlocks.” My tip? Don’t visit in your underwear. Instead, come here at sunset for one of the best views of the city. It’s much more romantic when you aren’t trying to untie your hands with your teeth!

3. Baegun Market (백운시장)

• Scene: Returning home in Episode 2, Gi-hun visits the small fish stall in the market run by Sang-woo’s mother, who asks about her “successful” son.
• GoogleMap Address: 30 Samyang-ro 154-gil, Dobong-gu, Seoul
• NaverMap Address: 30 Samyang-ro 154-gil, Dobong-gu, Seoul

If you want to feel the true “local” vibe of Squid Game, Baegun Market is non-negotiable. This is the childhood neighborhood of the show’s director, Hwang Dong-hyuk, and he grounded the story in the real sights and sounds of his youth. Walking through the narrow aisles, you’ll see the actual fish stall used in the show (though Sang-woo’s mom isn’t there to brag about her son’s SNU degree, sadly).

This market is a slice of old Seoul. It’s quiet, humble, and deeply authentic. Grab some traditional snacks and feel the weight of the community ties that make the characters’ betrayal of each other so much more poignant. Unlike the high-tech island, this is where the real stakes of life and death are felt in every bowl of soup sold.

4. Sihwa Bridge (시화교)

• Scene: The gangster Deok-su (Player 101) is cornered by his former associates in Episode 2. He orchestrates a crash and leaps into the water to escape certain death.
• GoogleMap Address: Seonggok-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do
• NaverMap Address: Seonggok-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do

Talk about a leap of faith! This bridge in Ansan provides a stark, industrial backdrop for one of the show’s most high-octane “real world” moments. It shows that for some players, the world outside was just as violent as the game itself.

Sihwa Bridge is a favorite for K-Drama cinematographers because of its long, dramatic stretches over the water. It’s a bit of a trek from central Seoul, but for the hardcore fans, it’s a great spot to see the vast scale of the Sihwa Lake area. Just… please stay on the pedestrian path. No jumping required!

5. My Land at Wolmi Theme Park (인천 월미테마파크 마이랜드)

• Scene: A fugitive Deok-su meets an underling at the amusement park at night in Episode 2. The brightly lit rides create a surreal backdrop for his criminal planning.
• GoogleMap Address: 81 Wolmimunhwa-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon
• NaverMap Address: 81 Wolmimunhwa-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea

There’s something inherently creepy about an amusement park at night, isn’t there? The bright, kitschy colors of Wolmi Theme Park serve as a visual bridge between the “real world” and the twisted, colorful playground of the game island.

Wolmi is famous for its “Disco Pang Pang” ride (where the operator roasts you while you try not to fall off). It has a retro, slightly chaotic energy that perfectly fits the desperate planning of a gangster with nowhere else to go. Visit on a weekend to see it in full, noisy glory, or come on a weekday evening for those moody, Squid Game vibes.

6. CU Convenience Store, Ssangmun Uicheon Branch (CU 쌍문우이천점)

• Scene: The emotional heart of Episode 2 – Gi-hun and Oh Il-nam (Player 001) reunite by chance and share dry ramen and soju at a green plastic table.
• GoogleMap Address: 11 Uicheon-ro 39-gil, Dobong-gu, Seoul
• NaverMap Address: 11 Uicheon-ro 39-gil, Dobong-gu, Seoul

This might be the most visited Squid Game spot in Seoul. It’s here that Il-nam utters the chilling line, “Out there, it’s more of a hell.” It’s a quiet, mundane moment that changes Gi-hun’s entire trajectory.

Since the show exploded in popularity, this CU branch has become a pilgrimage site. You can actually sit at the same outdoor tables! Pro tip: the “Squid Game Special” is a cup of ramen and a bottle of soju. It’s a cheap meal, but it tastes like existential dread and global popularity. It’s located in a quiet residential area, so be respectful of the neighbors while you take your photos!

7. Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 (인천국제공항 제1여객터미널)

• Scene: In the final scene of Episode 9, a red-haired Gi-hun is about to board a plane to the US but turns back at the gate to confront the system.
• GoogleMap Address: 272 Gonghang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon
• NaverMap Address: 272 Gonghang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon

The finale happens at Gate 4, where Gi-hun makes the choice that set the stage for Season 2. The red hair—which the director says symbolizes Gi-hun’s inner rage—stands out against the sterile, white backdrop of the world’s best airport.

Most visitors will pass through here anyway, making it the easiest location to tick off your list. Standing at the gate, you can feel that “point of no return” energy. Will you board your flight, or are you ready for more games? (I’d recommend boarding the flight; Los Angeles is probably nicer than a secret island.)

Travel Tips for Fans

• Navigating Like a Local: Please, put your Google Maps down. It’s basically a placeholder in Korea. Download Kakao Map or Naver Map. They offer much better transit directions, especially for finding the specific exits and alleys in places like Baegun Market.
• The Magic Wand (T-money): Buy a T-money card at any convenience store (like the one in Ssangmun!). You can use it for subways, buses, and even taxis.
• Best Season to Visit: If you want to see Namsan Park at its most “cinematic,” visit during Autumn (October-November). The fall foliage is stunning, and the crisp air matches the show’s intense atmosphere.
• Safety First: Some of these locations are in residential neighborhoods (like the CU store and the market). Keep your voices down and remember that people actually live their lives there!