From screen to Seoul: Fans flock to ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ filming sites

Netflix animated blockbuster turns Naksan Park, N Seoul Tower and other city landmarks into must-see stops for international tourists

Foreign tourists take photos at Naksan Park in Seoul on Aug. 24, the dating spot of Rumi and Jinu in the Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters." The movie’s success has drawn crowds to landmarks such as Naksan Park and N Seoul Tower./Kim Ji-ho

“Here it is! This is where Rumi and Jinu went on their date!”

On Aug. 20, Ana, a 20-year-old tourist from France, shouted with excitement as she stood before the Seoul City Wall at Naksan Park in central Seoul. Rumi and Jinu are the main characters of the Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters. Like Rumi, Ana recorded herself dancing to K-pop for social media. “I watched KPop Demon Hunters three times, and it made me so curious about Seoul,” she said. “I’ve already visited Bukchon Hanok Village and N Seoul Tower from the movie, and I’m planning to try gimbap just like Rumi did.”

The blockbuster animated film has become a global hit, drawing international tourists to Seoul landmarks featured in the story. The plot follows the K-pop girl group “Huntr/x,” who use the power of music to defeat demons and protect the world. Released on June 20, the Netflix release quickly climbed to No. 1 on the platform’s global film chart. As of Aug. 17, it had surpassed 210.5 million views, making it the second most-watched Netflix film of all time after Red Notice (230.9 million). Its theme song Golden reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on Aug. 16.

Even in sweltering heat topping 33°C, fans have flocked to locations from the hit animation such as Naksan Park, N Seoul Tower and Ttukseom Hangang Park, snapping photos at the exact spots where the characters danced and strolled. Many also record “K-pop cover dance” videos at the same sites. Josephine, a 27-year-old visitor from Indonesia, filmed her performance at Ttukseom Hangang Park. “These days, whenever you upload a video tied to the streaming sensation, the views explode,” she said. “I’m still visiting other spots from the movie, like the Seoul Sports Complex.”

Jinu (left) and Rumi walk along the Seoul City Wall at Naksan Park in the Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters."/Netflix

The impact is measurable. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, “Naksan Park” appeared 3,535 times on YouTube and Instagram between June and August—more than double the 1,624 mentions during the same period last year. Nam Kyung-rae, an employee at the park’s management office, said, “Every day dozens of people ask if this is really the dating spot from the animated blockbuster.”

At Namsan Seoul Tower, the influx is even more pronounced. “Eight out of 10 ticket buyers these days are foreigners,” a tower official said. “Not long ago, a group of teenage students from China came all at once to film dance videos.” Vasya, a 27-year-old tourist from Bulgaria, noted, “Seoul is far more captivating in person than it looks in the movie. I’m glad I came.”

Japanese tourist Matsuno Sora poses for a photo with family members in traditional medical attire at the Seoul K-Medi Center in Dongdaemun District, Seoul, on Aug. 10./Jang Yoon

The Seoul K-Medi Center in Jegi-dong, Dongdaemun District, has also turned into a fan magnet. In the film, Rumi visits a traditional clinic when her voice falters, and the center served as the model. A center representative said, “In January, 451 foreigners visited, but by last month the number had surged to 1,856—nearly four times higher. Our facial massage programs are especially popular.” Some visitors have even sought out acupuncture, the official added.

Local businesses are seeing the benefits as well. Kim Hyun-sook, who runs a gimbap shop at the entrance to Naksan Park, said, “I used to get one or two foreign customers a day, but since about a month ago, it’s been closer to 10 groups daily. Sales are up, and it makes each day more enjoyable.” Kim Hyun-hee, 53, who operates a noodle shop nearby, said, “We’re seeing 20 to 30 foreign customers every day now. They play songs from the animated feature on their phones while eating noodles.”

Tour operators are capitalizing on the trend. Kim Ah-ri, a tour guide with 11 years of experience, said, “Last month I launched a $550 (about 760,000 won) private program to visit sites from the Netflix hit, and it’s fully booked through the end of the year. I didn’t expect it to be this popular.”

Joo Dong-oh, a professor at the College of Hotel and Tourism Management at Kyung Hee University, explained the phenomenon: “The film didn’t just use Seoul as a backdrop—it wove in Korean culture and everyday life. That’s why so many people are eager to come and experience the city firsthand.”