IN PHOTOS: Where To Hangout In Seoul A La Itaewon Class' Park Saeroyi And The Gang
Looking for recommendations on where to eat, drink and stay in Itaewon? Take your cue from this K-drama about food, love, business and friendships
If you’re a recently converted K-drama fan who’s planning on where to go next once it’s safe to travel again, then add this series to your ‘what to watch next’ queue: Itaewon Class.
Itaewon Class is a David-and-Goliath story about a young ex-convict-turned-entrepreneur facing off against a large food conglomerate, and how sticking to one’s principles can be life-changing. It stars Park Seo-joon as Park Saeroyi, a young businessman driven by revenge; Kim Da-mi as his clever and ambitious business partner Joy Yi-seo (who’s also a social media influencer); and Kwon Na-ra as Oh Soo-ah, Saeroyi’s first love who is indebted to the Jangga Co.'s Chairman Jang Dae-hee, who himself hell bent on ruining Saeroyi’s life.
It offers a refreshing insight into how the younger generation think – that they’re not all self-centered and social media crazy – and that in fact, they care about their family and their friends, the families they’ve chosen. The series is currently no. 4 on Netflix’s top 10 series to watch and is on its finale weekend, but you have time to catch up if you binge watch now.
The story is set in two locations, namely Pajin and Seoul, with Pajin as the setting for the first couple of episodes where the events that would change Park Saeroyi’s life taking place. In Seoul, the story unfolds in Itaewon, a colorful and diverse district where people from different cultures and ethnicities gather to eat, shop, and get entertained.
Seoul's Western Town
More commonly known as Seoul’s most foreigner-friendly district, Itaewon became popular after the Korean War because of the American soldiers who stayed at the nearby Yongsan Garrison. In the early 2000s, the district became popular again when trendy cafes, bars, and restaurants offering international cuisines opened one by one. Just some of the global flavors you’ll find in here are Italian, French, Indian, Vietnamese, Japanese, British, Spanish, and more. Nowadays, Itaewon is colloquially known as “Western Town” or “the global village of Seoul,” making it the perfect location for a K-drama like Itaewon Class.We came up with a list of places based on the filming locations in the series where you and your travel group can stay, eat, and hangout a la Park Saeroyi and friends.
The following gallery may contain some spoilers, so proceed at your own risk:
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G Guesthouse
On your visit to Seoul, you might want to stay at G Guesthouse. The reasonably priced dorm-style hostel where Jang Geun-soo lived is the best place for travelers looking to meet fellow travelers from around the world. Address: 14-38 Bogwang-ro 60-gil, Itaewon 1(il)-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Photo Credit: koreandramaland.com
G Guesthouse
G Guesthouse reception and common area
Photo Credit: G Guesthouse website
G Guesthouse
Photo Credit: G Guesthouse website
G Guesthouse
Don’t miss the weekly BBQs at the rooftop!
Photo Credit: G Guesthouse website
G Guesthouse
Photo Credit: G Guesthouse website
Hamilton Hotel Seoul
While there wasn’t a specific scene in Itaewon Class that was filmed here, this four-star hotel can be seen from many shots in the series. Its location at the center of Itaewon makes it an option if you want to be at the heart of the action. The hotel also has a pub (Prost), wine lounge (Glam), and a shopping mall within its complex. Address: 179 Itaewon-ro, Itaewon 1(il)-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Photo Credit: @shahrillramli
Conrad Hotel Seoul
Prefer something fancier than a hostel? The Conrad Hotel Seoul in Yeouido is a 30-minute train ride away from Itaewon, but if you’re an Itaewon Class fan, then you’d be happy to know this is where Park Saeroyi and Lee Ho-jin met with Kang Min-jung to discuss their plans against Jangga Co. Address: 10 Gukjegeumyung-ro, Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Photo Credit: koreandramaland.com
Conrad Hotel Seoul
Check out the view of the Han River from this corner room!
Photo Credit: Conrad Hotel Seoul website
Undukjib
Just a 10-minute walk from G Guesthouse is the location of the first DanBam branch that Park Saeroyi opened after he got back from deep sea fishing. It was formerly Undukjib, a restaurant that served gopchang (tripe) back in 2018. Address: 57 Noksapyeong-daero 40-gil, Itaewon 1(il)-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Photo Credit: koreandramaland.com
Undukjib
Photo Credit: koreandramaland.com
Undukjib
Photo Credit: koreandramaland.com
Undukjib
According to Vietnames news site Tuoi Tre News, “A screen is set up outside the DanBam bar-restaurant to air ‘Itaewon Class’ at night. For a long time, the real-life restaurant has been closed for renovation. Its owner is planning to reopen the venue in the near future and rename it Seoul Night.”
Photo Credit: Photo Le Dung / Tuoi Tre News website
The Finest Lounge
Check out the view from the rooftop of this bar, and maybe you’ll fall in love with your own Park Saeroyi, too, just like Yi-seo. The tower behind them is Namsan Tower, one of Seoul’s popular attractions. Address: 41 Hoenamu-ro, Itaewon 2(i)-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Photo Credit: koreandramaland.com
The Finest Lounge
According to The Finest Lounge’s IG, Park Saeroyi was drinking Svedka premium vodka. They have created a special menu especially for fans of the show, which includes the drink, some food, and a chaser. Here is one of their bestselling cocktails, the Espresso Martini.
Photo Credit: @thefinest_lounge
The Finest Lounge
There's also an al fresco area.
Photo Credit: @thefinest_lounge
Maruku Kitchen
In one of the later episodes, Park Saeroyi helps out neighboring establishments with improvements in their signages, menus, and even interiors in an effort to attract more customers to their location. Maruku Kitchen was one of the neighboring cafes featured in the series. Address: 27 Noksapyeong-daero 46-gil, Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Photo Credit: koreandramaland.com
Maruku Kitchen
Photo Credit: koreandramaland.com
Maruku Kitchen
Their signature dish is creamy kimchi fettuccine and omurice.
Photo Credit: From Mango Plate
Oriole
Later in the episode, this restaurant became DanBam’s second location. Address: 43 Sinheung-ro 20-gil, Huam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Photo Credit: koreandramaland.com
Oriole
In real life, Oriole is actually located in Yongsan, and is a brunch café offering coffee and selection of IG-worthy dishes.
Photo Credit: koreandramaland.com
Oriole
Photo Credit: @oriole_hbc
Oriole
Photo Credit: @oriole_hbc
Oriole
Photo Credit: @oriole_hbc
Oriole
And if you choose seats at the rooftop, you’d get an amazing breakfast view, too.
Photo Credit: @geumuigongza
Master Seoul
Grab some drinks with friends here, just like Yi-seo and her gal pals when they welcomed the New Year. Just make sure you’re 19 years old and above. Address: 62 Seocho-daero 77-gil, Seocho 4(sa)-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Photo Credit: koreandramaland.com
Master Seoul
Photo Credit: @masterseoul
Main photo and gallery opener photo from hancinema.net.
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