Is a Jeju Guided Tour Worth It? Tour vs Public Bus Without a Car

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  JEJU ISLAND GUIDE KOREA TRAVEL COMPARISON Public buses make car-free Jeju possible, but they do not always make it efficient. A guided tour costs more, yet it can save hours when several attractions are spread across the island. The better choice depends on whether you value lower transportation cost or more usable sightseeing time. Quick answer: Choose a guided day tour if this is your first Jeju trip and you want to cover several major attractions in one day without driving. Choose public buses if your budget matters more, you prefer a slower pace, or you plan to focus on only one or two areas each day. Transportation and activity information checked on August 21, 2026. Jeju bus routes, fares, tour itineraries, pickup points, and attraction stops can change. Affiliate disclosure: This post contains a Klook affiliate link. I may earn a commission from qualifying bookings at no additional cost to you. Table of Contents 30-Second Verdict What a Car-Free Jej...

Hotel del Luna Filming Locations in Korea: Real Places You Can Visit

 

Travel thumbnail showing the red-brick Hotel del Luna filming location in Mokpo with a dramatic Korean night atmosphere and the Buyeo Love Tree.

If you are looking for the real Hotel del Luna filming locations in Korea, the most important answer is surprisingly far from Seoul. The red-brick exterior used as the mysterious hotel is Mokpo Modern History Museum Hall No. 1 in Mokpo.

Other scenes were filmed at real places in Seoul and Buyeo, including Seoul Book Bogo and the famous Love Tree at Buyeo Garimseong Fortress. However, some Seoul locations from the 2019 drama have since closed or changed businesses, so an old filming-location list can easily send you to a place that no longer looks the same.

This guide focuses on confirmed Hotel del Luna filming locations in Korea and separates places you can still visit from locations that have changed since filming.



Infographic showing Hotel del Luna filming locations in Korea, including Mokpo Modern History Museum, Seoul Book Bogo, and the Buyeo Love Tree.

1. Hotel del Luna Filming Locations at a Glance

The main Hotel del Luna filming locations are spread across several parts of Korea. Mokpo has the building most fans recognize as the hotel exterior, Seoul has accessible indoor filming locations, and Buyeo has one of the drama's most memorable historical landscapes.

Location Region Drama Connection Current Visit Status
Mokpo Modern History Museum Hall No. 1 Mokpo Hotel exterior Open museum
Seoul Book Bogo Seoul Episode 2 guest story Open cultural space
Buyeo Garimseong Love Tree Buyeo Man-wol's past Open outdoor heritage site
Hyemindang Seoul Red bean porridge scene Currently listed as permanently closed
Former Hotel Seine Seoul Photos showing the hotel's history Business and interior have changed

If you only have time for one location, choose based on your itinerary. Mokpo is the best choice for the iconic hotel exterior, while Seoul Book Bogo is much easier to add to a Seoul-only trip.

2. Mokpo Modern History Museum: The Hotel Exterior

Mokpo Modern History Museum Hall No. 1 is the real building used for the exterior of Hotel del Luna. Its red-brick façade is one of the most recognizable filming locations in the entire series.

The building was not created as a drama set. It is a historic structure now used as a museum, so fans can visit both for the filming connection and for the history of Mokpo.

Korean Name 목포근대역사관 1관
Address 6 Yeongsan-ro 29beon-gil, Mokpo-si, Korea
Nearest Major Rail Gateway Mokpo Station, followed by a local bus, taxi, or walking route depending on conditions
Opening Hours 09:00-18:00, Tuesday-Sunday
Closed Monday
Adult Admission KRW 2,000
Teen / Military Admission KRW 1,000
Elementary Student Admission KRW 500
Best Photo Area Public exterior area facing the red-brick façade

Mokpo City currently lists the museum as open from 09:00 to 18:00, with Monday as the regular closing day. Ticket sales and entry normally end one hour before closing.

The Korea Tourism Organization also identifies the red-brick Hall No. 1 building as the exterior of the main Hotel del Luna setting. This makes it the strongest filming stop for fans who want the closest real-world match to the fictional hotel.

For photos, the exterior is more important than trying to recreate every interior scene. The drama's supernatural hotel interiors were not simply the inside of this museum, so do not expect the entire fictional Hotel del Luna to exist behind the red-brick façade.

Official information: Mokpo Culture & Tourism

3. Seoul Book Bogo: Episode 2 Bookstore Scene

Seoul Book Bogo is one of the easiest Hotel del Luna filming locations to visit if your trip is centered on Seoul. It appeared in episode 2 in the story of the elderly guest who regretted never receiving an education.

The distinctive curved bookshelves make the location recognizable even if you have not watched the episode recently. Unlike several old café locations from the drama, Seoul Book Bogo is still operating as a public literary and cultural space.

Korean Name 서울책보고
Address 1 Ogeum-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Nearest Subway Jamsillaru Station, Subway Line 2, Exit 1
Tuesday-Thursday 10:00-19:00
Friday-Saturday 10:00-20:00
Sunday & Public Holidays 10:00-18:00
Closed Mondays, January 1, Lunar New Year holiday, and Chuseok holiday

These hours reflect the operating schedule introduced from January 2, 2026. Older Hotel del Luna travel posts may show different opening times, so use the current Seoul Book Bogo schedule rather than an old filming-location article.

The curved passage lined with metal bookshelves is the most recognizable photo area. Remember that this is a functioning cultural space, so keep walkways open and avoid blocking other visitors while trying to match a drama angle.

Official information: Seoul Book Bogo

4. Buyeo Love Tree: Man-wol's Past

The famous Love Tree at Buyeo Garimseong Fortress is connected with the historical storyline of Jang Man-wol. Official Korean tourism information identifies the fortress with scenes involving Man-wol's friendship with Yeon-woo and her anger toward Chung-myung.

The tree is a large zelkova more than 400 years old. Its long curved branch creates the famous half-heart silhouette that has turned the site into a popular photo location even for travelers who have never watched Hotel del Luna.

Korean Name 부여 가림성 / 성흥산 사랑나무
Address 167 Seongheung-ro 97beon-gil, Imcheon-myeon, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Opening Hours Open 24 hours
Closed Open year-round
Admission No separate admission fee listed
Parking Available; official tourism information lists parking as free
Access No nearby railway station; plan a local bus, taxi, or car connection and expect an uphill walk

The fortress parking area is relatively close to the southern entrance, but reaching the tree still involves an uphill route and stairs. Comfortable shoes are more useful here than fashion-focused footwear for a drama photo.

Sunset is one of the most popular times to photograph the tree because the branch and visitors can form strong silhouettes. However, the route is an actual historic site rather than a purpose-built K-drama attraction, so protect the tree and stay on permitted paths.

Important: Check Weather and Walking Conditions

The Love Tree is on a hilltop heritage site with an uphill walking route and stairs. Use extra caution during rain, snow, strong winds, or icy conditions, and do not leave permitted paths for a photo.

Official information: VISITKOREA - Buyeo Garimseong Fortress

5. Seoul Locations That Have Changed Since Filming

Two Hotel del Luna locations in Seoul need extra caution because the information in older fan guides no longer matches the current situation: Hyemindang and the former Hotel Seine.

Hyemindang

Hyemindang was used for the episode 2 scene in which Man-wol takes Chan-sung to the restaurant she remembers from television. In reality, Hyemindang was a bakery rather than the red bean porridge restaurant portrayed in the drama.

The original filming connection is confirmed by official Seoul tourism material. However, current map information lists Hyemindang as permanently closed, so it should no longer be treated as a normal café stop.

Important: Hyemindang Is Currently Listed as Closed

Older Hotel del Luna guides may still describe Hyemindang as an operating bakery. Current map information lists the business as permanently closed. Do not plan a café visit without checking the latest local listing first.

Former Hotel Seine

Hotel Seine in Ikseon-dong appeared in photographs used to show the fictional hotel's history. It was never the main red-brick Hotel del Luna exterior; that location is in Mokpo.

The building at 28-5 Donhwamun-ro 11-gil later changed again and official Seoul tourism material identifies it as Saeseoul. Current business listings still show Saeseoul at the address, but fans should not expect the original Hotel Seine café concept or the exact interior seen in older photos.

Important: The Location Has Changed

The former Hotel Seine filming location has changed businesses since Hotel del Luna was filmed. Check the current venue name, operating status, and entry conditions before traveling specifically for this location.

These changed locations are useful for understanding the filming history, but they should not take priority over Mokpo Modern History Museum, Seoul Book Bogo, or Buyeo Garimseong if your goal is to visit recognizable places that still function as public destinations.

Filming reference: The Official Travel Guide to Seoul - Retro Seoul in Hotel del Luna

6. How to Plan Your Hotel del Luna Trip

Do not try to combine Seoul, Mokpo, and Buyeo into one rushed filming-location day. These places are spread across different regions, and the travel time will quickly become more important than the drama stops themselves.

Your Trip Best Location Why
Seoul-only trip Seoul Book Bogo Easy public transport and currently operating
Want the real hotel exterior Mokpo Modern History Museum Hall No. 1 The iconic red-brick exterior seen in the drama
Love Man-wol's historical storyline Buyeo Garimseong Love Tree Direct connection to scenes from Man-wol's past
Interested in filming history Former Hotel Seine area Useful only if you understand the venue has changed

For a first Korea trip, a simple strategy is to keep the Seoul locations inside your normal Seoul itinerary and treat Mokpo or Buyeo as separate regional trips. Mokpo makes the most sense for fans whose priority is seeing the building used as Hotel del Luna itself.

Save every location using its Korean name in Naver Map before departure. This is particularly important for regional destinations and places whose English names can appear differently across older fan blogs.

7. Hotel del Luna Filming Locations FAQ

Where is the real Hotel del Luna building?

The exterior of the fictional Hotel del Luna was filmed at Mokpo Modern History Museum Hall No. 1 in Mokpo. The red-brick building is a real historic museum rather than a hotel.

Can I go inside the Hotel del Luna building?

You can enter Mokpo Modern History Museum Hall No. 1 during normal museum hours with a valid admission ticket. However, do not expect the interior to match the fictional supernatural hotel because the drama used different locations and production design for its interior world.

What is the easiest Hotel del Luna filming location to visit in Seoul?

Seoul Book Bogo is one of the easiest choices. It is near Jamsillaru Station on Subway Line 2 and remains open as a public cultural space.

Where is the Hotel del Luna Love Tree?

The Love Tree is at Buyeo Garimseong Fortress in Imcheon-myeon, Buyeo-gun. It appears in scenes connected with Jang Man-wol's past.

Is Hyemindang still open?

Current map information lists Hyemindang as permanently closed. Older tourism pages still document its Hotel del Luna filming connection, but travelers should not rely on the old operating hours.

Is Hotel Seine still there?

The building remains associated with the former Hotel Seine filming location, but the business has changed since the drama was filmed. Official Seoul tourism material records its later transformation into Saeseoul, so check current information before visiting.

Can I visit all Hotel del Luna filming locations in one day?

Not realistically if you include Seoul, Mokpo, and Buyeo. The locations are spread across different regions of Korea. A better plan is to visit Seoul locations during a Seoul itinerary and give Mokpo or Buyeo a separate regional day.

Quick recommendation: Go to Mokpo Modern History Museum Hall No. 1 if seeing the actual Hotel del Luna exterior is your priority. Choose Seoul Book Bogo if you want the easiest filming stop during a Seoul trip, and add Buyeo Garimseong if Man-wol's historical storyline is the part of the drama you remember most.

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