Honestly, the global chokehold K-dramas have right now is unreal. It’s not enough to just watch the show anymore. We need to feel it. We need to stand in the exact spot where Sol held onto Sun-jae’s sweater. We need to walk through the same palace gates where Grand Prince I-an made his vows. And that’s exactly why Byeon Woo-seok has become one of the most in-demand actors in the Hallyu wave.
After Lovely Runner (tvN, 2024) turned him into a household name, his follow-up Perfect Crown (MBC, 2026) shattered records—over 43 million viewing hours globally on Disney+ and Hulu, making it the platform’s top Korean title of all time. Fans aren’t just bookmarking aesthetic cafes anymore—they’re hunting down specific filming locations with screenshots in hand, ready to recreate their favorite moments from both dramas.
If you’re planning that kind of trip, you’re in the right place. I’m breaking down the real-life spots that doubled as Byeon Woo-seok’s world across both projects. No vague neighborhoods. No “somewhere in Seoul.” We’re talking exact locations, what you’ll see, and whether they’re actually worth the subway ride.
Quick Facts:
Before you map out your itinerary, here’s a snapshot of the key stops across both dramas.
Lovely Runner (tvN, 2024)
- Main Stars: Byeon Woo-seok (Ryu Sun-jae) & Kim Hye-yoon (Im Sol)
- Sol’s House: A real café in the Yeonnam-dong area near Yonsei University
- The Time-Slip Bridge: Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon
- Sun-jae’s College World: Yonsei University Campus, Sinchon
- The Modern Contrast: Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
Perfect Crown (MBC, 2026)
- Main Stars: Byeon Woo-seok (Grand Prince I-an) & IU (Seong Hui-ju)
- Also Starring: Noh Sang-hyun, Gong Seung-yeon
- The Royal Residence: Unhyeongung Palace — Yang-gwan Building, Jongno
- Heritage Filming Spot: Hanok Heritage Hotel, Yeongwol
- Peak Rating: 13.8% nationwide (Nielsen Korea)
- Global Reach: 43 million+ viewing hours on Disney+ and Hulu
- Budget: ₩30 billion — one of the most expensive K-drama productions to date
Why These Locations Matter
Here’s the thing about both Lovely Runner and Perfect Crown—they weren’t standard romance dramas. Lovely Runner was a chaotic, heart-wrenching time-slip story that jumped between 2008 and 2023. The production team didn’t just slap a retro filter on a modern street. They chose places that naturally carry a sense of nostalgia. Perfect Crown, set in a fictional 21st-century constitutional monarchy, leaned on Korea’s actual royal architecture to build its world of palace politics and arranged marriages.
What stands out is how the locations acted as silent characters. In Lovely Runner, the traditional hanok rooftops represented the past that Sol was trying to save. The cold, modern lines of Dongdaemun Design Plaza represented a future where she’d lost him. In Perfect Crown, the Yang-gwan building at Unhyeongung carries the weight of a real royal legacy—then gets reimagined as a prince’s residence in a fictional Korea.
And here’s what makes this even more interesting: some of these locations have appeared across multiple iconic dramas. Unhyeongung’s Yang-gwan was the home of Gong Yoo’s Kim Shin in Goblin before it became Grand Prince I-an’s world. That kind of cross-drama layering means you’re not just visiting one show’s set—you’re walking through living K-drama history.
The Seoul Circuit: Youth, Romance, and City Lights
Most of the “high school” and “college” timeline moments from Lovely Runner happened around Seoul’s western side. Meanwhile, Perfect Crown‘s royal scenes drew from Seoul’s historic palace districts.
Sol’s Rooftop House: The Heart of Lovely Runner
Let’s address the big question first. You’re looking for “Byeon Woo-seok’s house,” but the real emotional anchor of Lovely Runner is Sol’s house. That iconic blue rooftop patio? The yellow gate where Sun-jae waited a hundred times? It’s not a residential home—it’s a café.
The spot is in the Yeonnam-dong area near Yonsei University. When you walk up that steep alley, the first thing you’ll notice is how small it feels in real life. On camera, it looks like a vast rooftop kingdom. In reality, it’s a cozy, intimate corner. You can order a drink, sit on the rooftop, and just breathe it in. The neighborhood around it, Yeonnam-dong, is full of independent shops and eateries. It’s the perfect place to rest your feet after reenacting emotional scenes in your head.
Yonsei University: Where Sun-jae Shined
While the drama fudged the name, Yonsei University in Sinchon is unmistakable. That long, tree-lined path? The ivy-covered stone buildings? It’s where many of the 2023 “idol/college” sequences were shot.
What stands out when you walk through the main gate is the contrast. It’s an elite, prestigious school—but the drama injected it with this whimsical, fairy-tale romance. You’ll see students rushing to class, probably oblivious to the fact that Byeon Woo-seok stood right there pretending to be a lovesick top star. The campus is open to visitors, but don’t wander into lecture halls. Stick to the paths and common areas.
Unhyeongung Palace: Where K-Drama Worlds Collide
This is the stop most fans miss—and it’s arguably the richest location on the entire trail.
Unhyeongung sits in the heart of Jongno, and it was the private residence of Heungseon Daewongun and the childhood home of King Gojong. But what makes it a K-drama magnet is the Yang-gwan, a Renaissance-style Western building tucked inside the palace grounds. Built around 1912, it was designed by Japanese architect Katayama Tokuma. Its arched windows, verandas, and pear-blossom motifs make it visually unlike anything else in Seoul.
For K-drama fans, this building is sacred ground. It served as the home of Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) in tvN’s Goblin—one of the most iconic K-drama residences ever filmed. Then, in 2026, it became a filming location for Perfect Crown, where it stood in as a royal residence for Byeon Woo-seok’s Grand Prince I-an. So when you visit, you’re standing where Gong Yoo brooded over centuries of immortality and where Byeon Woo-seok navigated palace politics. Two eras of Hallyu, one building.
Practical note: Yang-gwan is now part of Duksung Women’s University’s Jongno Campus, so access is limited to the exterior. But the exterior alone is worth the trip. The stone walls, the European-meets-Korean architecture, and the quiet courtyard make it one of the most photogenic spots in central Seoul.
The Suwon Stop: Time Travel on Foot
Suwon is about an hour south of Seoul. It’s famous for Korean BBQ ribs and a massive fortress wall. But for Lovely Runner fans, it’s the time-slip capital.
Hwaseong Fortress: The Time-Slip Bridge
The stone bridge at Hwaseong Fortress is where some of Lovely Runner‘s most emotionally charged moments were filmed—the scenes where the timeline shifts and Sol crosses between past and present. The fortress itself dates back to the late 18th century, built under King Jeongjo’s orders, and the surrounding wall stretches nearly 6 kilometers.
Walking across that bridge, you understand why the production team chose it. The aged stone, the curve of the wall against the hillside, the way the light hits differently depending on the time of day—it feels like a portal. Arrive early morning for the empty walkways and softer light.
The Hanok Trail: Traditional Backdrops
Korea’s traditional hanok houses have become some of the most sought-after filming locations in the industry. Several of them sit within easy reach of central Seoul, while others reward the more adventurous traveler.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon is a residential area filled with traditional Korean houses, and the narrow, sloping alleyways have appeared across dozens of dramas. The wood beams, the tiled roofs, the narrow sightlines—it’s deeply atmospheric.
However, this spot is tricky. It’s a real neighborhood, and overtourism has been a genuine issue. Go early in the morning. Like, 8 AM is early. You’ll get the empty alleys and that soft morning light. It makes the experience feel personal rather than a tourist zoo.
Baek In-je House
While you’re in the Bukchon area, make a stop at the Baek In-je House. Built in 1913 with premium black pine from the Yalu River, this is one of Seoul’s most striking examples of modern hanok architecture. The men’s and women’s quarters are connected by an internal hallway—a break from tradition—and the design incorporates glass windows and red brick walls that were considered exotic at the time.
For K-drama fans, this is where Chairman Jin Yang-cheol lived in JTBC’s Reborn Rich (2022), and it also appeared as an opulent estate in the film Assassination (2015). You can book a guided tour through the Seoul Public Service Reservation website and walk through both the sarangchae and anchae.
Hanok Heritage Hotel, Yeongwol
Willing to go beyond Seoul? The Hanok Heritage Hotel in Yeongwol gained renewed attention after appearing in Perfect Crown, where its sweeping traditional architecture set the tone for some of the series’ most memorable scenes (citation:17). Yeongwol is about 2.5 hours from Seoul by bus or car, but if you’re serious about combining K-drama tourism with a genuine heritage stay, this is one of the most unique options out there.
The Perfect Crown Pop-Up Experience
If you’re visiting Seoul and want something beyond location-hunting, keep an eye out for Perfect Crown pop-up events. The most notable one took place at EPIC SEOUL on the 5th floor of The Hyundai Seoul, the nearest station to Yeouido. It ran from May 19–28, 2026, and featured costumes, official merchandise, immersive photo zones, and cinematic royal-themed setups styled after the drama’s aesthetic.
Multiple visitors described it as stepping into an actual K-drama world—dramatic soundtracks, character displays, and dedicated photo spots that felt more like an attraction than a retail space. Reservations were available through Naver, with early arrival recommended since the crowds got heavy later in the day, especially around the merch area.
Pop-up culture in Seoul has exploded in recent years, and K-drama pop-ups in particular have become mini-attractions. If you’re planning a trip, check Naver or Instagram for any ongoing or upcoming events tied to Perfect Crown or other current dramas. These limited-time experiences are often some of the most memorable stops on a fan itinerary.
The Privacy Reality Check
Let’s be honest for a second. You may have clicked on this article because you want to know where Byeon Woo-seok actually lives. Not just Sun-jae’s set or Grand Prince I-an’s palace—his real home.
Here’s the reality: celebrity privacy in Korea is fiercely protected. Sharing an actor’s private residential address crosses a line. It’s disrespectful and potentially dangerous.
The filming locations, though? Those are accessible, decorated, and carry the emotional weight of the stories. Sun-jae’s world and Grand Prince I-an’s world are Byeon Woo-seok’s creative footprint. Walking there is a far richer experience than standing outside an apartment complex staring at an intercom.
Byeon Woo-seok in 2026: What’s Happening Now
As of mid-2026, Byeon Woo-seok is riding an incredible wave. Perfect Crown became the most-watched Korean series of all time on Disney+ and Hulu globally, hitting No. 1 in over fifteen markets, including the US, UK, Germany, and Japan. The drama concluded its 12-episode run on MBC on May 16, 2026.
He’s currently on his 2026 Asia Fanmeeting Tour, with stops across Seoul, Bangkok, Yokohama, Taipei, Singapore, Manila, Jakarta, and Hong Kong. He’s also been confirmed for the 2026 Asia Artist Awards (AAA) taking place December 5–6 at Kaohsiung National Stadium.
The road hasn’t been without bumps. Perfect Crown faced controversy over historical inaccuracies in Episode 11’s coronation scene—viewers flagged the use of “Cheonse” (a term associated with vassal states) instead of “Manse” (used for sovereign nations), along with concerns about the crown type and a tea ceremony sequence. Both IU and Byeon Woo-seok posted handwritten apology letters on Instagram, acknowledging they should have been more attentive to the historical context. It was a reminder of how seriously Korean audiences take the accurate representation of their cultural heritage—and how even fictional monarchies are held to real historical standards.
How to Plan Your Visit Without Losing Your Mind
A practical tip? Don’t just plug “Lovely Runner location” into Google Maps and hope for the best. You’ll end up lost in an alley with 3% battery. Korean addresses are famously tricky. You need Naver Map or Kakao Map—not Google Maps—to navigate accurately.
Here’s a mini guide to surviving the fan pilgrimage:
- Download Naver Map. Google Maps doesn’t give reliable walking directions in Korea.
- Bring a portable charger. You’ll drain your battery taking photos and scanning the map.
- Check for closures. Some locations are closed for private events or other drama shoots. It’s Korea—there’s always another drama filming.
- Book ahead for hanok tours. Places like Baek In-je House require reservations through the Seoul Public Service Reservation system.
- Watch for pop-ups. K-drama pop-up stores rotate frequently. Check Naver and Instagram before your trip for any Perfect Crown-related events.
- Embrace the side quest. The café next to the “filming spot” usually has the best food and zero crowds.
Conclusion
The Byeon Woo-seok filming trail isn’t just a bunch of pretty backdrops. It’s a crash course in Korean aesthetics—from 600-year-old fortresses to Renaissance-style Western buildings sitting inside Joseon-era palaces. You’ve got the cozy intimacy of Sol’s rooftop in Yeonnam-dong, the grandeur of Yonsei University, the cross-drama magic of Unhyeongung’s Yang-gwan, the history of Bukchon, the architectural innovation of Baek In-je House, and the time-slip atmosphere of Hwaseong Fortress.
If you had to pick just three? Hwaseong Fortress for the time-slip feels, Unhyeongung’s Yang-gwan for the cross-drama history—Goblin and Perfect Crown in one stop —and Yeonnam-dong rooftop café for the core Lovely Runner romance. That trio captures both dramas perfectly.
Now, over to you. Have you already mapped out your K-drama tour, or are you still choosing between Seoul and Suwon? Drop a comment below—I’d love to know which scene you’re planning to recreate first.
