Itaewon: A City Where South Korea’s Diversity Intersects
Itaewon, though located within Seoul, is a district that makes you feel as if you’ve stepped into a foreign land. Having once been home to a US military base nearby, it has developed into a richly international area where cultures from all over the world intertwine.
In recent years, Itaewon has gained explosive popularity as the setting for the global hit K-drama ‘Itaewon Class,’ attracting travelers from around the world eager to experience the drama’s fervor firsthand. This article goes beyond textbook historical explanations, delving deep into Itaewon’s true charm, including the best times to visit, the authentic local atmosphere, and hidden scenic spots that are often overlooked.
Itaewon Special Tourist Zone Association
📍 Address: Seoul, Republic of Korea
The main street area of Itaewon is designated as the ‘Itaewon Special Tourist Zone,’ an area where you can most strongly feel the district’s multicultural energy. As you walk along the street, you’ll find signs in multiple languages, including English, and a dense concentration of restaurants offering authentic cuisine from around the world, international bars, and antique furniture streets with vintage goods.
The greatest charm for travelers is how the district reveals completely different faces during the day and night. During the day, it bustles with people enjoying shopping and café hopping, but at night, it transforms into a lively entertainment district glittering with neon lights. You’ll be enveloped in a free and borderless atmosphere, distinct from other parts of Seoul, giving you a strong sense of ‘being in Korea!’ Be sure to experience the vibrant energy where the drama’s protagonists used to hang out, with all your senses.
Gyeongnidan-gil Street
📍 Address: 210-65 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Gyeongnidan-gil Street, accessible on foot from Noksapyeong Station, is a fashionable street favored by Seoul’s youth and discerning travelers. Its name originates from the ‘Army Central Accounting Group’ (Yukgun Jungang Gyeongnidan) that once stood at its entrance. Amidst a tranquil atmosphere with scattered embassies, you’ll find high-sense cafes and unique restaurants quietly tucked away like hidden gems.
A defining feature of this area is its many ‘slopes,’ but in return, a short climb up an alley will reward you with splendid views overlooking N Seoul Tower. Among local foodies, sophisticated local restaurants serving appetizers like spinach and lotus root with beautiful acidity, chewy ‘Perilla Oil Buckwheat Noodles’ (Saeng Egoma Yu Soba), and exquisitely fatty pork dishes are also highly popular. For those less confident in their physical stamina, it’s highly recommended to take a local bus or taxi straight to the top of the hill and then slowly descend while enjoying the scenery.
Itaewon Class Bridge
📍 Address: 611 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul, Republic of Korea
An absolute must-visit pilgrimage site for drama fans is the ‘Noksapyeong Pedestrian Bridge,’ also known as the ‘Itaewon Class Bridge,’ located right near Noksapyeong Station. It’s famous as the spot where the memorable scene of protagonist Park Saeroyi contemplating while gazing at Seoul’s nightscape was filmed.
Although it is merely a typical pedestrian bridge over a roadway, standing at its center reveals a perfectly composed view where N Seoul Tower rises majestically in direct alignment with the intersecting main thoroughfare. For fans, it’s a spot that will surely stir emotions. The best time to visit is from dusk, when the sky turns orange, until night, when the tower is beautifully lit up. It’s a magical observation deck that will impress you no matter how many years later you visit.
Itaewon Class Stairs
📍 Address: 51 Noksapyeong-daero 40-gil, Itaewon-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul, Republic of Korea
The steep stairs located near the filming site of the protagonist’s pub, ‘Danbam,’ are another popular photo spot that avid travelers flock to. The scenes where characters rushed up and down or had conversations are preserved exactly as they were, making you feel as if you’ve time-traveled into the world of the drama.
The walls are adorned with street art and countless graffiti, exuding an underground, raw atmosphere that screams ‘this is the real Itaewon.’ More than just pretty, these stairs, etched with the raw energy of youth, seem to symbolize the rebellious spirit and resilience of Itaewon. Be sure to visit with comfortable shoes and capture the authentic local vibe with your camera.
Itaewon Bugundang Historical Park
📍 Address: 37 Dong, Itaewon 1 Noksapyeong-daero 40da-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul, Republic of Korea
If you wish to escape the tourist crowds and spend some quiet, profound time, ‘Itaewon Bugundang Historical Park’ is the perfect recommendation. Located at the summit of a hill, after a roughly 10-minute climb up a narrow, steep slope, it’s a hidden gem known to few, offering an unobstructed panoramic view of N Seoul Tower and Seoul’s nightscape.
This sacred place has long been home to a small shrine (Bugundang) dedicated to the village’s guardian deity, as well as a memorial stone for independence activist Yu Gwan-sun, where the daily lives and beliefs of local residents resonate. While you cannot enter the shrine, it is possible to peek inside through gaps in the doors. On summer afternoons, silence reigns, broken only by the chirping of cicadas. It’s the ultimate luxury to sit on a bench and leisurely await the moment when the setting sun paints Seoul in golden hues, gradually transitioning into a glittering nightscape.
【Tips】How to Explore Itaewon for a 120% Enjoyment: A Deeper Walkthrough
Itaewon is generally a ‘city of hills’ with dramatic undulations. Comfortable walking shoes like sneakers are a must. If you’re not confident in your stamina, instead of forcing yourself to climb from the bottom, it’s dramatically easier to take a local bus or taxi to the top of a hill (such as near the Grand Hyatt Hotel) and then explore by walking downhill from there.
Another charm of this area is how its character completely changes depending on the time of day you visit. While daytime is recommended for café hopping and exploring historic alleyways, Itaewon’s true essence is undoubtedly ‘at night.’ The vibrant energy of the multicultural streets illuminated by streetlights, and the sight of the lit-up N Seoul Tower from atop a hill, are sure to become unforgettable highlights of your trip.
