Unless you've been living under a rock, you've definitely heard of Squid Game at some point. Thanks to its quirky aesthetics and terrifying premise, the Netflix show quickly became one of the most-watched series on the streaming platform.
After the intense season 1 finale, we've been dying to find out what happened to 456 and whether Detective Hwang Jun-ho made it out alive after falling off the side of a cliff.
Well great news, this cliffhanger is finally getting the next chapter. Season 2 of Squid Game is coming! Make sure to mark your calendars because Squid Game season 2 premieres on December 26, 2024.
If you’re just like us, you’ve probably re-watched the show ahead of the release of season 2 and now you’re surfing the net trying to search for the answers on where in South Korea Squid Game was filmed, just so you could relive some of your favorite scenes.
While we wait for Squid Game season 2 to drop, here’s the scoop on what we know about where Squid Game season 1 was filmed with these filming locations!
Where was Squid Game filmed?
1. Daejeon
Image Credits: Netflix | Squid Game’s impressive cinematography and locations left us in awe!
With eye-catching cinematography, one is bound to think that Squid Game used tons of CGI to create its unique locations. In fact, these are actually filmed on real-life sets in the city of Daejeon! Some of the series’ casts have posted behind-the-scenes and geotagged Daejeon as their location.
How to get to Daejeon from Seoul: You can take the KTX from Seoul Station or Yongsan Station to Daejeon Station. The trip should take about one to two hours.
Day or night, Daejeon is a sight. Image credits: @_eun_y_ on Instagram
Often dubbed as Asia’s Silicon Valley, Daejeon is one of South Korea’s major cities. It boasts a high volume of high-tech research universities and companies in the area. It is known to be a center for arts and culture and has a booming entertainment scene. In fact, it is considered up to par with the United States' Seattle and Australia’s Brisbane.
2. Seongapdo Island, Incheon
Image Credits: Netflix | After the Red Light Green Light game, it is revealed that Squid Game takes place on an island!
After Squid Game’s shocking debut episode with the scream-inducing Red Light Green Light game, it is revealed that the whole competition takes place on an island. Fans of the show have been trying to deduce which island this is. Some say it's actually Jeju Island, but our internet sleuths found that this Squid Game island is Seongapdo in Ongjin-gun, Incheon.
Due to its unique geographic features (it is really shaped like a crescent!), Seongapdo is a sight to see. It is a semi-uninhabited island, said to have only four people residing in the neighborhood. However, if you’re planning to visit, you might receive some bad news as no regular ships come in and out of the island. Fingers crossed, though!
Still, there are many islands off the coast of Incheon that welcome tourists. Also, you might want to check Wolmido and drop by its theme park! No need to ride a ferry since there is a highway connecting the mainland and Wolmido.
How to get to Incheon from Seoul: You can take the AREX Express Train from Seoul Station straight to Incheon International Airport’s Terminals 1 and 2. The ride should take about 40 minutes only!
3. Ssangmun-dong, Seoul
Image Credits: Netflix | The marbles game takes place in a setting that looks like Ssangmun-dong
Out of the six Squid Game episodes, the Gganbu (Kkanbu) episode is arguably the most heart-wrenching of them all. But, in between tears and screams, we were able to observe the game’s familiar set-up: a small neighborhood likened to Ssangmun-dong, a district of Dobong-gu in Seoul.
Find yourself navigating through alleyways. Image credits: @all_about_ssangmun on Instagram
If you have also watched the 2015 drama Reply 1988, Ssangmun-dong may already be familiar to you. In fact, the Gganbu (Kkanbu) episode might have tugged a few nostalgic heartstrings. Well, before you know… everything that happened.
Ssangmun-dong is also where the protagonist, Gi-hun, hails from. In fact, the seafood shop of Sang-woo’s mother is also located in Baekwoon traditional market. Today, Ssangmun-dong continues to be a tourism hotspot. We recommend visiting the snack bars for some classic Korean street food such as tteokbokki and Korean fried chicken. There’s even a brand called Kkanbu Chicken, which can easily be found anywhere in Seoul!
4. Incheon International Airport
Image Credits: Netflix | Squid Game’s final episode left us hanging as Gi-hun re-joins the game
Admit it: that ending made you stare at your screen for at least a minute or more. Don’t worry; you’re not at all alone in that experience. In Squid Game’s final episode, we see Gi-hun at the airport with the game’s calling card on his hand after snatching it away earlier. This airport is actually Incheon International Airport, South Korea’s largest airport and the main gateway for all tourists coming in and out of the country.
If you need help with going around South Korea from the airport, the most cost-effective way is to catch the Incheon Airport Express Train to Seoul. Another option is a limousine bus transfer to take you to downtown Seoul and vice-versa. Coming with a group? There are also private group transfers from Gyeonggi-do to Seoul!
You can reenact some scenes at Incheon International Airport! Image credits: @incheon_airport
What other locations have been mentioned in Squid Game?
5. Jeju
Image Credits: Netflix | Sae-byeok shares to Ji-yeong how she wants to visit Jeju Island
Also in the Gganbu episode, it is revealed that North Korean defector Sae-byeok has always dreamt of visiting Jeju Island. It's described as "exotic-looking" and doesn't quite look like mainland Korea. Actually, Jeju Island is often dubbed as the "Hawaii of South Korea," and we understand why Sae-byeok hopes to visit the place.
See Manjanggul Cave in Jeju! Image credits: @brian_di.cho on Instagram
Want to see Jeju Island’s beauty for yourself? Join this UNESCO day tour, and see just how picturesque this island is! There are two routes to choose from. The East Route takes you to Seongsan Sunrise Peak, Manjanggul Cave, and Woljeongri Beach. Meanwhile, the South Route goes to Mt. Halla, Jusangjeolli Cliff, and Cheonjiyeon Falls.
6. Korean Demilitarized Zone
Visit DMZ and learn about the Korean War
Curious about Sae-byeok and the whole history between North and South Korea? Hop on this Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) tour and learn more about the history of the Korean War and the Cold War. Key stops include Imjingak Park, Freedom Bridge, Third Infiltration Tunnel, and DMZ Exhibition Hall. Plus, you can even try to glimpse North Korea from a bird’s eye view on one of the observatory towers.
7. Daehakro
Image Credits: Netflix
After the dalgona (a Korean sugar candy) coffee trend we saw in 2020, dalgona has begun making a buzz again due to Squid Game’s third episode. Contestants were tasked to remove the stamped shape out of the honeycomb candy. The dalgona they used in the show was made by a vendor in Daehakro, one of Seoul’s trendiest neighborhoods which have been growing in popularity with students and the youth.
Daehakro is also dubbed as Korea’s Broadway—offering all kinds of cultural and performing arts such as musicals, plays, and nonverbal performances all year round. It even has an annual Daehakro Performance Arts Tourism Festival that celebrates all genres of Korean performing arts.
8. Seoul National University
Make sure to visit one of SNU’s campuses! Image credits: @seoul.national.university.pic on Instagram
Sang-woo, Gi-hun’s junior and ultimately worst rival, was a graduate of Seoul National University, one of South Korea’s flagship national universities. It is considered the country's most prestigious university and has campuses in Seoul and Pyeongchang.
How do I get to these Squid Game filming locations IRL?
Hyped enough for Squid Game Season 2? The easiest way to travel around South Korea and hit most of these Squid Game filming locations is by train. The Korea Rail Pass (KORAIL Pass) is an all-in-one travel ticket designed for international tourists and visitors to travel around South Korea and discover new routes. This pass allows you to transfer between rail lines from city to city at any time and from multiple locations.
With the Korea Rail Pass, you can conveniently travel in Korea from Seoul to Jeonju, Iksan, Busan, and many other destinations without having to queue or pay for each journey. Simply provide your pass and you're ready to go!
You can also opt to get tickets to the Korea Intercity Bus that can take you to Busan, Daegu, Gangwon province, Jeon-ju, Gyeongju, and more. The best part? Booking on Klook means you get to reserve your desired seats!
Buzzing from the excitement of Squid Game Season 2?
Looking for places to discuss theories on Squid Game’s ending and thoughts on the second season? You can visit this Reddit community and Facebook group, where you can also share your funny Squid Game memes!
If you want to have a taste of Squid Game (without the danger, of course!), you can also try out these Roblox simulation games that have replicated the Red Light Green Light game!
Can’t wait for Squid Game Season 2? Here are six more shows to watch after:
1. Liar Game
Continue the Squid Game hype by watching the Liar Game, a South Korean drama released in 2014 that has the same premise. In this show, a college student Nam Da-jung is invited to join a reality game show where participants could potentially win KRW 10 billion by tricking each other. Nam Da-jung teams up with an ex-con swindler and psychology professor to help her win the game and use the prize to pay off her debts.
2. Sweet Home
Sweet Home is a South Korean apocalyptic horror drama that follows high school student Cha Hyun-soo as monsters infiltrate the world.
3. Kingdom
If you think you’ve had your share of zombie shows, we suggest you watch Kingdom on Netflix. Set in a fictional, medieval Joseon period, Kingdom follows the story of the Crown Prince, who is investigating the why and how of a mysterious plague that has been ravaging his country.
4. Prison Playbook
Prison Playbook, or Wise Prison Life, depicts the lives of different convicts and staff inside a prison. Park Hae-soo, who plays Squid Game’s Sang-woo, stars in this Korean drama as Je-hyeok, a superstar relief pitcher sentenced to one year in jail after being convicted of assault of his sister’s attacker.
5. Itaewon Class
In the mood for more rags-to-riches adventures? Try Itaewon Class, which follows Park Sae-ro-yi, who aims to succeed and go head-on against his nemesis by opening and managing his own business in Itaewon.
6. Extraordinary You
Looking for a palate cleanser after all Squid Game’s grim ending? Play Extraordinary You on Netflix! The bubbly Korean drama is based on a webtoon that shows the story of Eun Dan-oh, who finds out she is living as an extra in a fantasy comic world! You’ll have fun watching her try to forge her fate to find her own true love.
What is Klook?
Klook is a world-leading travel activities and services booking platform, covering over 400 destinations and over 100,000 travel services! Klook’s mission is to empower travellers around the world to discover, book and experience the best things to do anywhere, anytime - including attractions, activities, car rental, tours, local transfers, wifi and SIM cards.
🧡 Stay in the loop with Klook ANZ on the following channels:
