Hellbound, a dystopian dark fantasy series from writer-director Yeon Sang-ho, is a breakthrough TV show blending jump-scare horror and the slow-burning paranoia of human fate. It released on Netflix in 2021, and the first season captivated viewers with its exploration of human fallibility, demonic apparitions, and angel decrees. The K-drama’s popularity sparked interest in its shooting locations, which undeniably enhanced the storytelling and characters in Hellbound Season 1. While news about the filming locations has been closely guarded, we do know that the K drama Hellbound season 1 was shot in South Korea, with a majority of scenes taking place in Seoul, Daejeon and Iksan.
Get started with an exploration of the most beautiful places to visit in South Korea.
Hellbound Season 1: Plot, cast and other details
Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, Hellbound is an adaptation of Sang-ho’s webtoon by the same name. Reinterpreting the meaning of ‘evil’, the Netflix original merges horror, action, and drama to implore the reality of how we are all bound to suffer (or are already suffering) in hell. He was also the director and screenwriter behind the popular South Korean horror production — Train to Busan (2016). The cast of Hellbound Season 1 includes Yoo Ah-in, Kim Hyun-joo, Park Jeong-min, Won Jin-ah, Yang Ik-june, and Ryu Kyung-soo.
When Hellbound premiered at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival, the K-drama topped ratings across 80 countries within 24 hours. The show also won the title of the ‘Best Horror Series‘ at the 2021 Golden Tomato Awards. Following the first season’s success, Netflix has announced the “resurrection” of the show with Hellbound Season 2, set to premiere on October 25.
Watch Hellbound Season 1 on Netflix here.
Hellbound Season 1: Explore popular filming locations of the K-drama
If there were ever an award for the best ‘up-and-coming’ zip code or ‘rising filming destination,’ South Korea would undoubtedly be the top contender. The country’s repertoire as a popular shooting location in East Asia and its captivating cultural and architectural scene have pushed it onto the international tourism map. Filming for the K-drama took place here from August 2020 to January 2021, and most of the shooting locations featured in season 1 of Hellbound are open to the public for exploration.
Explore more of South Korea with the filming locations of Love Next Door.
Mapo-gu, Seoul: A key filming location in Hellbound Season 1
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Among the many destinations across South Korea, Seoul has been featured extensively as a season 1 shooting location in the K-drama Hellbound. The cafe in the opening scene was filmed in Mapo’s Sangam-dong along with Joo Myeong-hun’s death scene, with the district’s 20 Worldcupbuk-ro 58-gil as the filing location.
One of the 25 districts of Seoul, Mapo-gu’s hip and modern energy — thanks to the student crowd of Hongdae and Sinchon-ro — can be best experienced on a night escapade to one of the area’s rooftop bars. Orders of fried chicken and beer dominate the tables while a post-dinner walk through one of the nearby parks almost becomes a necessity.
Nearby attractions: Haneul Park, Mangwon Hangang Park, World Cup Park, Mangwon Market. Also, explore our comprehensive Seoul shopping guide to buy every kind of product.
Things to do: Visit the World Cup Museum, named Faentasium at the Seoul World Cup Stadium and enjoy a show at the Hongdae Nanta Theatre.
How to reach: The easiest way to reach Mapo-gu is via Line 5, 6, or the AREX (Airport Railroad Express)
Songpa-gu, Seoul
Located in the southeastern part of Seoul, Songpa is the largest district in the city. Perched along the Han River, it is a quiet neighbourhood on the city’s outskirts. Songpa is home to more than a dozen attractions and natural spaces that make it an alluring destination to visit. The Beobwon-ro 12-gil street here became the shooting location for Jung Jin-su’s public speech in Hellbound Season 1.
Nearby attractions: Lotte World, Seoul Sky, Jamsil Baseball Stadium
Things to do: Grab a brunch at the Seoulism Cafe, followed by a leisurely walk exploring the above-mentioned attractions with a ‘Churrodog’ in hand. Also, check out this guide to vegetarian food in Seoul for more options.
How to reach: The closest access is via Jamsil Station on Line 2 in Seoul.
Jung-gu, Seoul
The hospital scenes and some others in season 1 of K-drama Hellbound were filmed at the Old Chungnam Provincial Government Buildings in Jung-gu, one of Seoul’s central districts known for its historical significance.
Nearby attractions: Deoksugung, Namdaemun Market, N Seoul Tower, Namsan. Also, be aware of Seoul’s most overrated attractions and find out where to go instead.
Things to do: Plan a visit to the Seoul Museum of Art, go cafe-hopping in the Insadong cultural district, and plan a picnic near the Cheonggyecheon Stream.
How to reach: Get off at Seoul Station on Line 1 or 4.
Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
A district and village located in the north of Seoul, Seongbuk-gu is home to several viewpoints that offer stunning panoramas of the region, themed museums and more. The New Truth Society’s broadcasting stage was filmed at Seokyeong University, a private university with a half-century history, capturing the intensity of the organisation’s influence.
Nearby attractions: Jeongneung, Hongneung Forest (Arboretum), Bongguksa Temple
Things to do: Grab local snacks at the Jeongneung Market before heading to Bukhansan National Park for a day of adventure.
How to reach: Accessible via Gireum Station on Line 4 in Seoul.
Book your stay at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul via Booking.com
Book your stay at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul via Agoda.com
Daejeon
Daejeon, a metropolitan city in the heart of the southern Korean peninsula, translates to ‘a grand field’, living up to its name by offering a wealth of attractions for every type of traveller. Known as ‘Asia’s Silicon Valley’, the city boasts a thriving information and technology scene, making it a hub for innovation and exploration.
The studio scenes for Hellbound were filmed at the modern production facility of Studio Cube in Daejeon while other scenes were shot at Hannam University Missionary Village. Studio Cube contributed to building a majority of the filming locations for Season 1 of the K-drama Hellbound.
Nearby attractions: Hanbat Arboretum, Daejeon Museum of Art, Yuseong Hot Springs Public Foot Bath, Daejeon O-World
Things to do: Begin your day with a guided tour to learn about the popular tourist attractions, including a handful of museums that play a key role in painting an image of the city’s traditions and history.
How to reach: The fastest way is by taking the KTX (Korea Train Express) from Seoul Station.
Book your stay at Hotel Onoma Daejeon via Booking.com
Book your stay at Hotel Onoma Daejeon via Agoda.com
Gyeonggi-do
The police station scenes and Park Jung-ja’s dramatic and terrifying encounter were shot in Gyeonggi-do, the most populous province in Korea. With a thriving art and culture scene, the region attracts tourists from across the world for its forts, landmarks and gastronomy.
Nearby attractions: Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, Korean Folk Village, Everland Resort, Petite France, Gwangmyeong Cave
Things to do: Visit the tranquil Cheonggyeongsa Temple, hike the trails of Bukhansan National Park, and discover the historic Namhansanseong Provincial Park, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Do not leave without trying the Dakgalbi, a local spicy chicken dish.
How to reach: You can reach different parts of Gyeonggi-do by taking the Seoul Metropolitan Subway lines, including Line 1, Line 4, and Line 8, or the AREX (Airport Railroad Express).
Shooting location for Hellbound’s orphanage scene: Iksan, Jeollabuk-do
Formerly the capital of the ancient Baekje Kingdom, Iksan in North Jeolla Province is an industrial city known for its agricultural products, particularly rice. Jewellery-making and metallurgy are some other industries in the area. Today, you can visit the region’s spiritual landmarks and parks for a crowd-free escape. The abandoned orphanage scene, crucial for building the emotional depth of Hellbound, was filmed here.
Nearby attractions: Mireuksa Temple, Nabawi Catholic Church, Iksan National Museum
Things to do: Make a day out of visiting the Guryong Village Bamboo Forest and take a guided tour to learn about the many spiritual and historic landmarks that have shaped the city’s culture.
How to reach: Iksan Station is on the Honam Line in Jeollabuk-do.
Incheon International Ferry Terminal, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon
Incheon International Ferry Terminal serves as a gateway for travellers exploring the beautiful islands of South Korea, especially Jeju and Incheon. The airport scene in Season 1 of K-drama Hellbound was filmed here.
Nearby attractions: Songdo Moonlight Festival Park, G-Tower, Arts Center Incheon
How to reach: Incheon International Airport Station on Line AREX is the nearest to this location.
Hero and Featured Images: Netflix
This story first appeared here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Kim Sung Cheol has acted in some popular K-Dramas including Our Beloved Summer, Do You Like Brahms?, The Wind Blows, To. Jenny, Arthdal Chronicles, Prison Playbook, Sweet Home, and Search Out.
The total budget for the series was KW 18,000,000,00 or USD 1,357,604.80.
The dark fantasy television series is returning for season 2 in October 2024 but there is currently no information available regarding a third season.
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Sneha Chakraborty is a journalist and photographer covering how travel intersects with food, culture, and identity. Her reporting has appeared in National Geographic Traveller India, Lonely Planet, Conde Nast Traveller, Vogue India, and Hindustan Times, where she spent two years on staff as a correspondent covering travel and culture. She is an alumna of the University of Westminster`s Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design. Currently based in Delhi, she grew up in various cities across India and has lived in Amsterdam, and London.
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