Lovely Runner Filming Locations Worth Visiting: A Self-Guided Suwon Travel Guide
Lovely Runner (선재 업고 튀어) includes several popular filming locations in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. This guide does not list every reported filming location. Instead, it focuses only on places that are actually worth visiting — locations with real travel value for international visitors traveling on their own.
Several of Lovely Runner's most recognizable filming spots are clustered within walking distance of each other in Suwon's Haenggung-dong neighborhood, making this one of the more accessible K-drama location visits from Seoul.
Drama Info
| Director | Yoon Jong-ho |
| Writer | Lee Si-eun |
| Genre | Romantic Comedy, Fantasy |
| Episodes | 16 |
| Released | April 8, 2024 (tvN; international availability varies by platform and region) |
| Cast | Byeon Woo-seok, Kim Hye-yoon |
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
A time-slip romantic comedy in which a woman travels back to 2008 and crosses paths with a K-pop idol she admired growing up. The drama moves between past and present, exploring how small moments and unexpected connections shape a person's life. Known for its warm neighborhood atmosphere and emotionally resonant storyline.
Why This Drama Is Popular Among Travelers
Several of Lovely Runner's most popular filming spots are located in Suwon's Haenggung-dong neighborhood, a walkable area adjacent to the UNESCO-listed Hwaseong Fortress. Visit Korea and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization have both published official filming location guides for this drama, making it one of the better-documented K-drama travel destinations in the Seoul metropolitan area.
Filming Locations Worth Visiting
The locations below are associated with the drama and are real places that travelers can visit or consider adding to a Korea itinerary.
1. Haenggung-dong Neighborhood
Korean: 행궁동
About this location: Listed by Visit Korea as the primary neighborhood backdrop of Lovely Runner. Haenggung-dong is a charming area next to Suwon's Hwaseong Fortress, known for its café-lined streets, mural-covered alleys, and mix of renovated hanok buildings and vintage shopfronts.
Region: Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province
Can you visit? Yes — the neighborhood is publicly accessible year-round.
Worth visiting without a car? Yes — easily walkable from Suwon Station by bus or taxi.
Public transport access: From Seoul, take Seoul Subway Line 1 or KTX to Suwon Station. From Suwon Station, the Haenggung-dong area is reachable by local bus or taxi. Travel time from Seoul is roughly 1 hour by subway or 25 minutes by KTX. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Year-round. Spring and fall are particularly pleasant for walking the neighborhood streets.
Self-guided tip: The main filming locations in Haenggung-dong are within walking distance of each other. Allow 2–3 hours to explore the neighborhood at a relaxed pace. Visit Korea's official filming location guide covers the area in approximately 790 meters of walking distance.
Local food tip: Haenggung-dong has a variety of cafes and small restaurants. The area is known for its independent coffee shops and bakeries, with salt bread being a popular local item in this neighborhood.
2. Café Mong Ted
Korean: 카페 몽테드 (also known as Mongted)
About this location: Listed by Visit Korea and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization as the building used as the main character's home in the drama. The red brick exterior and arched entrance are associated with scenes set at the characters' residential street. The building is operated as a café.
Region: Hwaseomun-ro 48beon-gil, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province
Can you visit? Yes — listed as an operating café at the time of writing. Hours and availability may change, so check current information before visiting.
Worth visiting without a car? Yes — located within the Haenggung-dong walking area.
Public transport access: Accessible on foot from Suwon Station via local bus or taxi to the Haenggung-dong area. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Weekday mornings tend to be less crowded. The café is a popular photo spot among drama fans.
Self-guided tip: As this is an operating business located near private residences, be mindful of noise levels and avoid blocking access to nearby homes during your visit. Drama fans also visit the nearby residential street associated with the male lead's house, so please be respectful of local residents when taking photos.
Local food tip: The café is known for salt bread in various flavors. Check the current menu before visiting, as offerings may change.
3. Banghwasuryujeong Pavilion
Korean: 방화수류정
About this location: Listed by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization as a filming location associated with the drama. A Joseon-era pavilion set within Suwon's Hwaseong Fortress grounds, overlooking the Suwoncheon stream. Known for blending historical architecture with natural surroundings.
Region: Suwoncheon-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province
Can you visit? Yes. Admission fees and opening hours for the Hwaseong Fortress area may vary, so check official information before visiting.
Worth visiting without a car? Yes — accessible on foot within the Haenggung-dong area.
Public transport access: Walkable from the Haenggung-dong neighborhood. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Year-round. The pavilion offers good views of the stream and fortress walls in all seasons.
Self-guided tip: The pavilion is part of the broader Hwaseong Fortress walking route. Combining it with Hwahongmun Gate nearby makes for a natural half-day itinerary.
Local food tip: The Haenggung-dong area nearby has a range of cafes and casual dining options. Traditional Korean snacks are available at stalls near the fortress area.
4. Hwahongmun Gate
Korean: 화홍문
About this location: Listed by Visit Korea as a filming location associated with the drama, particularly for scenes set near the Suwoncheon stream and fortress gate. Hwahongmun is one of the most photographed spots along the Hwaseong Fortress route, known for its nighttime reflections in the water below.
Region: Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province
Can you visit? Yes — the gate and surrounding area are publicly accessible. The bridge area is generally accessible, but hours may vary for maintenance or events.
Worth visiting without a car? Yes — walkable within the Haenggung-dong and Hwaseong Fortress area.
Public transport access: Walkable from the Haenggung-dong neighborhood. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Evening for illuminated views of the gate reflected in the stream below.
Self-guided tip: The bridge in front of Hwahongmun is a popular photo spot. Combine with Banghwasuryujeong Pavilion for a connected walk along the stream.
Local food tip: The area near the Suwoncheon stream has various cafes and eateries. Suwon is broadly known for its galbi (Korean short ribs), which can be found throughout the city.
5. Hwaseong Fortress
Korean: 수원화성
About this location: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Korea's most significant historical structures, built during the Joseon Dynasty. The fortress walls and surrounding neighborhood form the overall backdrop of the drama's Suwon setting. Worth visiting independently of any drama connection.
Region: Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province
Can you visit? Yes. Admission fees and opening hours may vary, so check official travel information before visiting.
Worth visiting without a car? Yes — accessible from Suwon Station by bus or taxi.
Public transport access: From Seoul, take Subway Line 1 or KTX to Suwon Station, then local bus or taxi to the fortress area. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Spring or fall for comfortable walking weather. The full fortress wall walk covers approximately 5.7 km.
Self-guided tip: The fortress can be walked in sections. The Haenggung-dong neighborhood and drama filming locations sit directly adjacent to the fortress walls, making it easy to combine both in one visit.
Local food tip: Suwon is well known for its galbi (grilled short ribs). The area around Suwon Station and the fortress has many restaurants serving this local specialty.
How to Watch Outside Korea
Lovely Runner is available on streaming platforms such as Viki in many regions, while Netflix availability may vary by country. Availability, subtitle languages, and audio options may change depending on your region. If the title does not appear in your local streaming library, search by both the English title and the Korean title, 선재 업고 튀어.
Final Travel Summary
| Location | Region | Visitable? | Without a Car? | Best Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haenggung-dong Neighborhood | Suwon | Yes | Yes | Year-round |
| Café Mong Ted | Suwon | Yes (café hours) | Yes | Year-round |
| Banghwasuryujeong Pavilion | Suwon | Yes | Yes | Year-round |
| Hwahongmun Gate | Suwon | Yes | Yes | Evening |
| Hwaseong Fortress | Suwon | Yes | Yes | Spring / Fall |
Unlike many K-drama filming locations scattered across different regions, several of Lovely Runner's most recognizable spots are clustered within walking distance in Suwon's Haenggung-dong. For travelers based in Seoul, this makes it one of the more practical K-drama day trips available.
Sources and Notes
This guide was compiled using official tourism pages, Korean travel media, and international K-drama coverage. Filming location details may vary by source, so some locations are described as "associated with" or "listed by" rather than definitively confirmed.
- Visit Korea — Suwon Haenggung-dong Walk: Lovely Runner — Official Korea Tourism Organization filming location guide
- Gyeonggi Province Official Blog — Lovely Runner Filming Spots in Suwon — Gyeonggi Tourism Organization location details
- WhatMyTrip — Lovely Runner Filming Locations Guide — Location overview and travel context
Travel information such as café opening hours, admission fees, and public transport schedules may change. Please check Google Maps, Naver Map, and official tourism pages before visiting. Some filming locations are near private residences — please be respectful of local residents during your visit.
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