AREX: [Hyehwa Station] Ihwa-dong and Naksan Park (JTBC Strong Woman Do Bong Soon and SBS Doctors Filming Locations)

There are many things to do and see near Hyehwa Station. One of them is Daehangno (University Street), the former location of Seoul National University, which is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. This is one of the popular areas that many young people like to hang out. Besides that, many people would also go to Daehangno to watch stage/art performance and musical performance in the theatre. Other than Daehangno, Ihwa-dong Mural Village and Naksan Park, located just 10 minutes away from Hyehwa Station, are also popular among the tourists.

Ihwa-dong mural village

View from Ihwa-dong mural village

For travellers who have 24 hours stopover in Seoul and want to get to this place, you can take the Airport Railroad train from Incheon International Airport to Seoul Station and transfer to Seoul Subway Line 4, which will bring you to Hyehwa Station.

If you want to explore the neighbourhood near Hyehwa Station, which includes Daehangno and Ihwa-dong, here are some recommendations for you.

1) Ihwa-dong Mural Village

Ihwa-dong Mural Village is located about 10 mins from Hyehwa Station. As it says in the name, you can find many mural art in this village. To get to the village, you have to walk uphill. So, please remember to wear comfortably.

Ihwa-dong Mural Village map

Check out the sign board that shows you direction to Ihwa-dong Mural Village

Going uphill

There are many local shops selling very pretty handmade items. Do support them and buy some souvenirs to bring home. Also, there are also a few shops that offer "Old School Uniform Rental" whereby you can rent the old Korean school uniform and walk around while exploring this village.

This is a residential area where people live. Therefore, there are a few things that you should take note.

- Please keep your voice low and do not scream when you are in this neighbourhood.

- Respect the residents' property in this neighbourhood (Do not enter their house or take photos of the interior of house without permission)

- Do not litter or dirty the place

Don't forget to visit the cafes in Ihwa-dong Mural Village too

2) Ihwa-dong Village Museum

JTBC Strong Woman Do Bong Soon starring Park Hyung Sik and Park Bo Young is one of the must watch korean dramas in 2017. If you are a fan of this drama, you will definitely remember this place. This is where the male lead actor Ahn Min Hyuk confessed to the female lead actress Do Bong Soon in the drama. The place that was filmed as Do Bong Soon's house is actually the Ihwa-dong Village Museum.

Image credit: http://tv.jtbc.joins.com/dobongsoon

Next, this is the road outside the Ihwa-dong Village Museum. There were many scenes taken at this road. This is where Ahn Min Hyuk stopped his car when he sent Do Bong Soon home.

Do you know that this place also appeared in SBS drama entitled "Doctors" (2016)? This was used as Yoo Hye-Jung's house in the drama. Can't recall the scene? Check out the images below!

Image credit: http://program.sbs.co.kr/

3) Naksan Park

Image credit: Korea Tourism Organization Official Website

This place offers great view of the surrounding city of Seoul. It is also part of the Seoul Fortress Wall. Thus, it makes this place a great place for photos.

If you are a fan of the Korean drama "Strong Women Do Bong Soon" or "Doctors", Ihwa-dong is a must-visit place for you in your next trip to Korea! However, if you did not watch the two dramas, it is totally fine. This place is still worth visiting especially Naksan Park, where you can relax your mind and see amazing view of Seoul City.