Many fans wonder where is squid game in real life after watching the hit Netflix series. The show filmed at dozens of real locations across South Korea, from busy Seoul streets to quiet island beaches.
This guide reveals the exact filming spots you can visit, plus exciting Squid Game experiences you can try around the world. Get ready to step into the deadly games yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Squid Game filmed at dozens of real locations across South Korea, including Seoul’s Ssangmun-dong district and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
- Incheon International Airport and KAIST campus in Daejeon served as key filming spots for major scenes in the series.
- Manhattan Mall in New York hosts an interactive Squid Game experience at 100 W 33rd St with games and Korean cultural elements.
- Jeju Island appears only in dialogue references throughout the show, not as an actual filming location for any scenes.
- Visitors can play “Red Light, Green Light” and other deadly games safely at real-world experiences inspired by the Netflix series.
Filming Locations in Seoul
Seoul’s bustling streets became the perfect backdrop for Squid Game’s most memorable scenes. The capital city offered filmmakers a mix of modern architecture and traditional neighborhoods that brought the show’s dark story to life.
What is special about the Ssangmun-dong residential area in Squid Game?
Ssangmun-dong serves as a key filming location in Seoul for Netflix’s hit series. This residential area brings real-world authenticity to the show’s narrative, making viewers feel like they’re walking through actual Korean neighborhoods.
The production team chose this location carefully to capture the everyday life of Seoul residents. Streets and buildings in Ssangmun-dong appear throughout several episodes, giving the series its grounded, realistic feel.
Fans can visit this residential area to see where their favorite scenes came to life. The neighborhood looks just like any other Seoul district, which makes it perfect for the show’s story.
Local residents often spot tourists taking photos at spots they recognize from the series. This filming location adds genuine Korean culture to the show, helping international viewers connect with the setting on a deeper level.
How was DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza) used in Squid Game filming?
DDP served as a major filming spot for Squid Game, bringing its striking architecture to the screen. The modern design of this plaza created a perfect backdrop for several key scenes in the show.
Fans now flock to DDP as a tourist hotspot, eager to see where their favorite moments were filmed. The building’s sleek curves and futuristic look added visual punch to the series.
This architectural marvel reflects how Korean cinema blends contemporary culture with traditional storytelling. DDP offers visitors much more than just its role in the hit series. The plaza hosts various exhibitions and experiences that draw crowds year-round.
Its appearance in Squid Game boosted its appeal as a must-see destination for travelers exploring Seoul’s filming locations.
Filming Locations in Incheon
Incheon served as a backdrop for several key Squid Game scenes, bringing the show’s tension to real locations. This coastal city offered filmmakers the perfect mix of modern facilities and dramatic settings that viewers now recognize from the hit series.
Why was Incheon International Airport chosen for Squid Game scenes?
Squid Game creators picked Incheon International Airport for good reasons. This massive airport serves as South Korea’s main gateway to the world. The location adds realism to the show’s portrayal of South Korea, making viewers feel like they’re watching real events unfold.
Airport scenes needed to look authentic, and this busy hub delivered exactly what the production team wanted.
Directors knew that using a real, operating airport would make their story more believable. Incheon International Airport handles millions of travelers each year. The bustling atmosphere and modern facilities created the perfect backdrop for key scenes.
This choice helped ground the fictional story in a very real setting that Korean audiences recognize instantly.
What role did Wolmi Island play in Squid Game filming?
Wolmido Island served as a filming location for the hit series. This scenic spot near Incheon added visual depth to the show’s storytelling. The island’s coastal setting provided a stark contrast to the indoor game scenes.
Producers chose this location to create memorable outdoor sequences that viewers still talk about today.
Wolmi Island adds to the diverse set of real-life locations used in the series. The island’s natural beauty helped create the show’s haunting atmosphere. Film crews captured stunning shots along the waterfront areas.
These scenes gave the series another layer of authenticity that fans appreciate when they visit the actual spots.
Filming Locations in Daejeon
KAIST campus in Daejeon became the backdrop for several key Squid Game scenes, transforming this prestigious tech university into a sinister playground. The show’s creators picked this modern academic setting to film crucial moments, including scenes where characters face life-or-death decisions in sterile, institutional environments.
How was KAIST featured in Squid Game?
KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) served as the backdrop for several key scenes in Squid Game. The university’s modern buildings and laboratories provided the perfect setting for the VIP viewing areas where wealthy spectators watched the deadly games unfold.
Production crews transformed the campus into a high-tech facility that matched the show’s futuristic aesthetic.
The science and technology institute’s sleek architecture created an eerie contrast with the brutal games happening below. Filming took place in multiple buildings across the KAIST campus, with the crew using both interior and exterior shots.
The university’s reputation as South Korea’s top tech school made it an ideal choice for representing the sophisticated, cold world of the game organizers.
Squid Game Island in Real Life
Jeju Island served as the mysterious backdrop for several key Squid Game scenes, with its volcanic landscapes and isolated beaches creating the perfect setting for the show’s most intense moments.
The island’s dramatic cliffs and secluded shores transformed into the fictional game arena where contestants faced their final challenges. Film crews captured stunning aerial shots of Jeju’s rugged coastline, which viewers worldwide now recognize as the haunting location where dreams either came true or ended forever.
Want to discover more filming secrets from Korea’s most famous locations?
What connections does Jeju Island have to Squid Game’s filming or inspiration?
The show mentions Jeju Island in several scenes, but the island served no role as an actual filming location. Characters in the series talk about visiting this popular Korean destination.
The island appears only in dialogue and references throughout the episodes.
Jeju Island holds special meaning in Korean culture as a honeymoon spot and vacation paradise. The show’s writers chose to reference this beautiful island to add depth to character backstories.
This connection helps viewers understand the characters’ dreams and past experiences, even though no cameras rolled on Jeju’s scenic shores.
Immersive Experiences Inspired by Squid Game
The hit Netflix series sparked real-world adventures that bring the deadly games to life. Fans can now step into the shoes of contestants and face the same challenges that made millions hold their breath.
Where can you find the Squid Game experience in New York?
Manhattan Mall houses New York’s most talked-about Squid Game experience at 100 W 33rd St, New York, NY 10001. Visitors can check in at this interactive attraction that brings the hit Korean series to life.
The location sits perfectly accessible via multiple subway lines including B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, and W trains to 34th-Herald Sq station. Bus routes M34-SBS, M7, and M55 also serve the area for those preferring surface transportation.
Getting there proves simple with wheelchair accessible MTA options throughout the system. Parkwhiz offers parking recommendations for drivers who need spots near Penn Station. The experience welcomes service animals and emotional support animals, making it ada compliant for all guests.
Participants can purchase entry with gift card options or link payment through their apple id for convenience.
What interactive challenges and Korean cultural elements are included in Squid Game experiences?
Interactive challenges bring the show’s deadly games to life without the scary parts. Visitors can play “Red Light, Green Light” with the giant Young-hee doll watching their every move.
The “Glass Bridge” challenge tests your nerve as you step across panels. “Warships” rounds out the five main games that participants can try. Game participation requires a ticket, so you’ll need to plan ahead.
Korean cultural elements fill every corner of these experiences. The Korean-inspired Night Market serves soju-infused cocktails that pack a punch. Tracksuits identical to the show’s costumes let you dress the part.
Young-hee dolls stand guard throughout the space. Traditional Korean food gives your taste buds a real treat. Night Market access is free to the public, making it easy to soak up the atmosphere even if you skip the games.
Takeaways
Squid Game’s real locations bring the show to life in ways fans never imagined. Seoul’s busy streets, Incheon’s modern airport, and Daejeon’s tech campus all played key roles in creating this global hit.
These places let visitors walk where their favorite characters once stood. New York’s interactive experience takes the fun even further, letting people play the games themselves. South Korea’s filming spots and America’s hands-on adventures prove that Squid Game lives far beyond our TV screens.
Curious to see who emerges victorious in the gripping narrative? Discover who wins Squid Game Season 3 now.
FAQs
1. Where can I find real Squid Game filming spots?
Most Squid Game scenes were shot in South Korea. You can visit the actual sets near Seoul, and some locations offer tours for fans.
2. Can I email Netflix about visiting Squid Game locations?
You can contact Netflix through their official Gmail support channels. They sometimes share information about official tours and experiences.
3. How do I get to Squid Game filming locations using public transport?
The LIRR won’t help you here since it’s a New York train system. You’ll need Korean public transport like buses and subways to reach the filming spots around Seoul.
4. Are there Squid Game experiences I can book in real life?
Yes, several companies now offer Squid Game themed experiences. These range from escape rooms to full recreation events, though they’re much safer than the show suggests!
