Filming Locations of It’s Okay To Not Be Okay
Last Sunday, the final episode of It’s Okay To Not Be Okay, a Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Ye Ji-led drama, aired on tvN and Netflix, leaving fans in a puddle of emotions. While we’re surely going to miss our trio, Gang-Tae, Sang-Tae and Mun-Yeong, we can’t wait to relive the series’ best scenes in real life.
It’s okay to not be okay after that series finale, so to help ease your post-series depression, we’ve listed 14 (and counting) filming locations around Korea for you to visit once we can all travel again. Check them out below:
1. The Cursed Castle (Ko Mun-Yeong’s Residence) - Sanida Cafe
Photo Credit: tvN
Photo Credit: tvN
Sadly, the Cursed Castle, or Ko Mun-Yeong’s residence, isn’t an attraction in real life; the structure and exterior were actually all put together with CGI! You can, however, visit the filming site in real life - at the Sanida Cafe in Gangwon-do.
A little past the Sanida Cafe, guests will find the same castle gates as seen on the show that will lead to the film set, which may have been taken down post-filming.
Apart from being the filming location for Mun-Yeong’s residence, the outdoor cafe scenery was also used in a scene between Gang-Tae and Director Lee Sang-In.
Address: 109-128 Chilbong-ro, Hojeo-myeon-, Won-ju-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Opening Hours: Daily, 10AM to 10PM
2. OK Psychiatric Hospital - Secret Blue Bakery Cafe
Photo Credit: tvN
Photo Credit: tvN
Photo Credit: tvN
More than half of the show takes place at the OK Psychiatric Hospital - where Gang-Tae works, and later on in the show, where Mun-Yeong holds a literary class and Sang-Tae is commissioned to do a mural. But, similar to the Cursed Castle, the hospital featured in the Korean drama is not actually a hospital in real life.
The OK Psychiatric Hospital exterior scenes were filmed in a seaside-cafe called Secret Blue Bakery and Cafe. It is said that the signboard for OK Psychiatric Hospital was kept on-site for fans who’d like to take photographs!
The cafe overlooks Ayajin Beach, along the east coast of the country, which was also another filming site for a scene between Ko Mun-Yeong and Moon Gang-Tae.
Address: 31-6, Ayajinbuk-gil, Toseong-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Opening Hours: Daily, 10AM to 8PM
3. Triple Street Shopping Mall
Photo Credit: tvN and Netflix
Photo Credit: tvN and Netflix
Photo Credit: tvN and Netflix
Who would forget Moon Sang-Tae’s adorable animated scene in episode 2? Sang-Tae skipped through the streets of Triple Street Shopping Mall in a musical-like scene featuring animated dancing stick figures, singing birds, and cartoon balloons. This insta-worthy shopping street is situated in Incheon and will surely look great in any feed.
Since it’s opening in 2017, the Triple Street Shopping Mall became a popular spot for fun hangouts. The complex is comprised of an entertainment plaza, observatory, shops, wide lawns and eateries. Apart from It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, the street has also been featured in other popular Korean dramas such as Itaewon Class and The King Eternal Monarch.
Address: 33-1 Songdogwahak-ro 16-beon-gil, Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, South Korea
4. Red Lighthouse, Yang Yang
Photo Credit: tvN
If you can’t recall, the Red Lighthouse was seen in two scenes between Moon Gang-tae and Ko Mun-Yeong. At the end of episode 4, we see Gang-Tae rush to Ko Mun-Yeong on her long walk home under the rain following an incident with her father at the hospital. Here, we see the Red Lighthouse as the background of the iconic scene.
The second time we see the Red Lighthouse is in episode 9, when Ko Mun-Yeong gets upset with Gang-Tae and threatens to drive them into a wall to force Gang-Tae into a decision.
Address: Yongho-ri, Ganghyeon-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea
5. IK Light House
Photo Credit: tvN
The first time we see Ko Mun-Yeong in episode 1, she is dining solo at what she says is her ‘favorite restaurant’ - and you can dine here, too! IK Light House is both a cafe and a showroom created by Ilkwang Lightings, a lighting company, to give their customers the full experience. Not only can you enjoy their food, but you can get some lighting design tips and ideas here, too!
Address: 8-1 Chamoejeon-ro 174beon-gil, Dongincheon-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM | Closed on Mondays
6. Forest of Wisdom Library
Photo Credit: tvN
Photo Credit: tvN
You may have seen this filming location in a handful of Korean dramas before: The King: Eternal Monarch, the World of the Married, Romance is a Bonus book to state a few. In It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, Ko Mun-Yeong holds a book launch at Forest of Wisdom Library, where an altercation between Moon Sang-Tae and another customer ensues.
Address: 145 Hoedong-gil, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Opening Hours: Daily, 9AM to 5PM
7. Sogeumsan Suspension Bridge
Photo Credit: tvN
Photo Credit: tvN and Netflix
In episode 9, we see Moon Gang-Tae and Ko Mun-Yeong finally take a quick trip out of the city and their mini adventure takes them to Geumsan Suspension Bridge. This is actually the longest and largest pedestrian bridge in the country, and a popular attraction in the Gangwon province. It spans 200 meters in length, and 100 meters in height, offering incredible landscape views.
Photo Credit: tvN
At the end of the bridge, you’ll find the same spot Gang-Tae and Mun-Yeong took several selfies together!
Address: 12 Sogeumsan-gil, Jijeong-myeon, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Opening Hours: Daily, 9AM to 5PM (Winter) | Daily, 9AM to 6PM (Spring, Summer, Fall)
8. Kang Soon Duk and Nam Ju-Ri’s Home
Photo Credit: tvN
Photo Credit: tvN
Photo Credit: tvN
Moon Gang-Tae and Moon Sang-Tae move into the rooftop room above Nam Ju-Ri’s home after taking a job back in his hometown. Their friend Oh Jung-se tags along and rents the semi-basement of the same property.
The private home is located in a village in Geojin near Sokcho. From their rooftop home, you can see views of Geojin Harbour all the way to Geojin Beach.
Address: 14 Deungdae-gil, Geojin-ri, Geojin-eup, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea
9. Seorak Hanok Guesthouse Pension
Photo Credit: tvN
The ‘Cheap Bed & Breakfast’ Ko Mun-Yeong and Moon Gang-Tae find patients Jung tae and A-Reum in is actually Seorak Hanok Guesthouse Pension in Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do. Meters away from this site, Mun-Yeong and Gang-Tae shared a romantic moment overlooking a lush green landscape.
Address: Seorak Hanok Guesthouse Pension, 58, Sangdomun-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
10. Wolmido Culture Street
Photo Credit: tvN
Photo Credit: tvN
In episode 11, Sang-Tae finally welcomes Mun-Yeong to their family after treating his younger brother to a meal. This heartwarming scene takes place in Wolmido Culture Street, a popular attraction and commercial area among locals.
Address: 98-57 Bukseong-dong (il)-ga, Jung-gu, Incheon
11. Juncheon Seopdali Bridge
Photo Credit: tvN and koreandramaland.com
To paint the character’s eerie hometown, a flashback scene featuring young Ko Mun-Yeong and Moon Gang-Tae was filmed at the Juncheon Seopdali Bridge. According to Korean Dramaland, this log bridge is re-built each year during the winter time and is only used until the end of summer.
Address: (Close to) 2141 Songhakjucheon-ro, Panun-ri, Jucheon-myeon, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea
12. Hangang Bridge
Photo Credit: tvN and koreandramaland.com
In the first episode of It’s Okay To Not Be Okay, we see Moon Gang-Tae hitch a ride with friend Jo Jae-Soo home. After their motorcycle breaks, they are forced to push it home, through the Hangang Bridge, and ironically pass through a billboard advertising the drama.
Address: Ichon-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea
13. Pizza Alvolo
Photo Credit: tvN
Photo Credit: tvN
Lucky for us, Pizza Alvolo is a real food chain in South Korea, so we can definitely get our hands on the multi-flavored pizza that the characters seem to enjoy throughout the show. While we haven’t been able to track down the exact location of the Pizza Alvolo branch featured in the drama, you can find all the stores on their official website for your next visit!
FYI: The pizza flavour the Mun-Yeong, Gang-Tae and the rest of the characters typically order is the Palja Pizza - which has 8 different toppings: corn, pineapple, pepperoni, shrim, spicy chicken, jalapeno, squash and bacon!
Address: Pizza Alvolo List of Locations
Opening Hours: Vary per location
14. Angel-in-Us Coffee
Photo Credit: tvN
After a jjampong lunch with Gang-Tae and Sang-Tae, Mun-Yeong convinces Gang-Tae to have coffee with him at Angel-in-Us Coffee. This is also the same cafe we later see Ju-Ri and Director Lee Sang-In have a date in.
Angel-in-us Coffee is a coffeehouse chain in South Korea, with over 600 stores across the country. There’s no doubt that you’ll be able to enjoy the same specialty drinks as the It’s Okay To Not Be Okay cast at one of their many locations.
Address: Angel-in-us Coffee
Opening Hours: Vary per location
