Filming Locations Of K-Drama "It's Okay To Not Be Okay"
Update: Last Sunday, the final episode of It’s Okay Not to 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.
We've found 10 more filming locations around Korea for you to visit once we can all travel again!
Since its release on Netflix in June, It's Okay To Not Be Okay quickly became one of the most popular Kdramas of the year. Hallyu stars Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Ye Jin's popularity soared as fans of the show wait impatiently for the release of every new episode to see how the plot pans out.
From pretty cafes to a mysterious cursed castle, we've compiled some of the drama's most memorable filming locations for you to add onto your post-pandemic travel list! While we can only travel through the screen and drama during these unprecedented times, it doesn't hurt to dream of our upcoming adventures.
1. The Cursed Castle - SANIDA Café
Don't worry, the mystical castle with an old-school vibe is not a cursed castle in real life. In fact, it's actually a little cafe located in Gangwon-do, a province approximately two hours from Seoul! Besides the castle's gate and facade, the rest of what you see of the building on-screen is actually all put together with CGI effects - giving it a surreal, dreamy vibe.
SANIDA Cafe is nestled atop a mountain and surrounded by lush greens, patrons will have to walk a distance to get to its entrance. Its rooftop platform offers panoramic views of surrounding mountains, making it a popular spot to catch some beautiful sunsets. Pop by for some photos, pastries, and coffee during your next trip!
- Address: 109-128 Chilbong-ro, Hojeo-myeon, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea
- Opening Hours: 10AM - 10PM
More cafes featured in your favourite K-Dramas:
2. OK Psychiatric Hospital - Secret Blue Bakery Cafe
Another filming location that curious fans have been wondering about is the OK Psychiatric Hospital with its stunning coastal views and beautiful gardens. Just like the cursed castle, the hospital featured in the drama is not actually a real hospital, it's also a cafe called Secret Blue!
Secret Blue is a picturesque cafe located near Ayajin Beach, along the east coast of the country. Patrons of the cafe can sip on coffee in the indoor seating area with ceiling-to-floor windows, or outdoors in the ocean breeze. P/s: The filming crew of It's Okay To Not Be Okay have kept the signboard of OK Psychiatric Hospital on-site, perfect for fans who'd like to head over for photographs!
- Address: 31-6, Ayajinbuk-gil, Toseong-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea
- Opening Hours: 10AM - 8PM
More cafes to add onto your Korea trip itinerary:
3. Triple Street Shopping Mall
Remember this scene in episode two where Moon Sang-Tae skipped down the streets with an animated, musical-like vibe complete with dancing stick figures, singing birds, and cartoon balloons? This scene was filmed at Triple Street, a popular, Instagram-worthy shopping street in Incheon!
Since its opening in 2017, the Triple Street Shopping Mall became a popular spot for fun hangouts. The complex comprises of a variety of attractions including an entertainment plaza, observatory, shops, wide lawns, and eateries. Besides It's Okay To Not Be Okay, the street has also been featured in many other popular Kdramas including Itaewon Class and The King Eternal Monarch!
Check Out Our Shopping Guide For Your Trip To Seoul:
4. Sogeumsan Suspension Bridge
The blue suspension bridge featured in the drama is the longest and largest pedestrian bridge in South Korea and is one of the most popular attractions in Gangwon province. The bridge is 200 metres in length and 100 metres in height, offering incredible views of cliffs and mountains in the distance. We heard that walking across it will give you an adrenaline rush - make sure you give it a try the next time you head to South Korea!
- Address: 12 Sogeumsan-gil, Jijeong-myeon, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea
- Opening Hours: 9AM - 5PM (in winter), 9AM - 6PM (other seasons)
5. 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
6. 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 ‘favourite 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
7. 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 Not To 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
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 Not To 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 speciality drinks as the It’s Okay Not To Be Okay cast at one of their many locations.
Address: Angel-in-us Coffee
Opening Hours: Vary per location
