Which places are confirmed and which are only reported?

Haedong Yonggungsa and Hwangnyeongsan are confirmed: Busan City's press release and the broadcaster's publicity name them independently. Gwangalli and both Seoul stops are reported, each with a single source so far.

Can I stay where the friends stayed?

No. Lodging, the host's home and unnamed businesses are not listed. The "Where to stay" links search by neighborhood instead.

Is N Seoul Tower free to visit?

The grounds are free; the observatory and the Namsan cable car are ticketed.

How should I split the trip between Seoul and Busan?

This guide recommends basing yourself in Seoul first, then Busan, following the trip's airing order.

← All guides WELCOME, FIRST TIME IN KOREA? · MBC every1 2017 · SEOUL AND BUSAN

Welcome, First Time in Korea? in Seoul and Busan: 5 Spots (2 Confirmed)

All Welcome, First Time in Korea? filming locations →

VERIFIED 2 confirmed
3 reported

BASE Seoul, then
Busan

ENTRY Mostly free;
tower ticketed

CHECKED Oct 2, 2026

In March 2023, three friends from the UK flew in for their first trip to Korea, then joined their host, a Brit living in Busan, for a few days by the sea. These are the public places the episodes showed, in airing order.

One trip only (episodes aired in March 2023). Places are listed in airing order. Hotels, a skin-care shop, restaurants and the host's home are not listed.

Confirmed: backed by two or more official or press sources.
Reported: one official or press source.
Fan-spotted: identified by Korean fan researchers by matching scenes; not yet confirmed by official sources.

STOPS

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Seoul (episode of March 9, 2023)

2 places in Yongsan-gu and Gangnam-gu.

Reported · 2 sources cited · Checked Oct 2, 2026

1. N Seoul Tower

남산서울타워

N Seoul Tower (location photo, not a drama still) — Photo: Eugene Lim from Hong Kong / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (resized)

In the Mar 9, 2023 episode, the friends ride the Namsan cable car up to N Seoul Tower and look out over the city, according to the broadcaster's episode publicity.

GETTING THERE On Namsan; reach it on foot, by bus or by the Namsan cable car. Check routes on Naver Map (English UI). COST / TIME Free grounds; the observatory and cable car are ticketed (prices change; see the official sites) ACCESS Check N Seoul Tower's official site for observatory hours and tickets.

More filming locations in Seoul · Yongsan-gu

Open in Google Maps ↗ Open in Naver Map ↗ Open in Kakao Map ↗

Plan the trip with Naver Map or Kakao Map or Seoul Metro (subway).

SOURCES (2)

Reported · 2 sources cited · Checked Oct 2, 2026

2. Kukkiwon

국기원

Kukkiwon (location photo, not a drama still) — Photo: Seoul Institute / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)

In the same episode, the friends visit Kukkiwon's museum and then try a taekwondo class in uniforms, including their first board break, according to the broadcaster's episode publicity.

GETTING THERE Gangnam, Seoul; find the route on Seoul Metro or Naver Map. ACCESS The world taekwondo headquarters. Check its official site for public programs and performance days.

More filming locations in Seoul · Gangnam-gu

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Plan the trip with Naver Map or Kakao Map or Seoul Metro (subway).

SOURCES (2)

Busan (episode of March 16, 2023)

3 places in Gijang-gun and Suyeong-gu.

Confirmed · 3 sources cited · Checked Oct 2, 2026

3. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

해동용궁사

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (location photo, not a drama still) — Photo: Anna L Martin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (resized)

In the Mar 16, 2023 episode, the first Busan stop is Haedong Yonggungsa, the temple by the sea, reached down its 108 steps. Busan City's own release on the episode names it too.

GETTING THERE Gijang, Busan; plan the trip with the Kakao Map and Naver Map links on this card. ACCESS A working Buddhist temple. Keep quiet near the halls and follow the posted rules on photography.

More filming locations in Busan · Gijang-gun

LAST MILE

Bus numbers and times are not listed here. Check the local bus app, or use the Kakao Map and Naver Map links on this card for today's route.

Getting around Korea →

Open in Google Maps ↗ Open in Naver Map ↗ Open in Kakao Map ↗

Plan the trip with Naver Map or Kakao Map or Korail (trains).

SOURCES (3)

Reported · 1 source cited · Checked Oct 2, 2026

4. Gwangalli Beach

광안리해수욕장

Gwangalli Beach (location photo, not a drama still) — Photo: Chelsea Hicks / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (resized)

Busan City says the friends' tour of the city started at Gwangalli's beach. A second source has not confirmed this place yet.

GETTING THERE Suyeong-gu, Busan; find the route on Naver Map (English UI). COST / TIME Free ACCESS A public beach with a promenade facing Gwangan Bridge.

More filming locations in Busan · Suyeong-gu

LAST MILE

Bus numbers and times are not listed here. Check the local bus app, or use the Kakao Map and Naver Map links on this card for today's route.

Getting around Korea →

Open in Google Maps ↗ Open in Naver Map ↗ Open in Kakao Map ↗

Plan the trip with Naver Map or Kakao Map or Korail (trains).

SOURCES (1)

Busan City press release (Mar 17, 2023)

Confirmed · 2 sources cited · Checked Oct 2, 2026

5. Hwangnyeongsan Observatory

황령산 전망대

Hwangnyeongsan Observatory, Busan (location photo, not a drama still) — 출처: 한국관광공사 부산울산지사, 디자인글꼴, 공공누리 제1유형

The group ends the day at the Hwangnyeongsan observatory, staying a long time over Busan's night view, according to Busan City and the broadcaster's episode publicity.

GETTING THERE On Hwangnyeongsan in central Busan; plan the trip with the Kakao Map and Naver Map links on this card. COST / TIME Free ACCESS A mountain-top viewpoint. Best after dark; check road and parking notices before you go.

More filming locations in Busan

LAST MILE

Bus numbers and times are not listed here. Check the local bus app, or use the Kakao Map and Naver Map links on this card for today's route.

Getting around Korea →

Open in Google Maps ↗ Open in Naver Map ↗ Open in Kakao Map ↗

Plan the trip with Naver Map or Kakao Map or Korail (trains).

SOURCES (2)

PLACES WE COULDN'T VERIFY

The Seoul hotel, a skin-care shop and the restaurants shown (businesses not named in the publicity, or lodging). The host's home and personal places in Busan.

WHERE TO STAY

AFFILIATE LINKS · DISCLOSURE

Neighborhood hotel searches, not recommendations.

Myeong-dongClose to Namsan for N Seoul Tower.Hotels on Expedia →GwangalliBeachfront base for the Busan leg.Hotels on Expedia →

MORE DETAIL

Last checked: Oct 2, 2026

Three friends from the UK, one week in Korea

In March 2023, Welcome, First Time in Korea? followed three friends from the UK on their first trip to Korea. They started in Seoul, then flew south to Busan to meet their host, a fellow Brit who lives there. The places below follow the airing order.

Seoul

In the March 9 episode the friends rode the Namsan cable car to N Seoul Tower, then went to Kukkiwon, the world taekwondo headquarters, for its museum and a taekwondo class. Kukkiwon also appears in this show’s KPop Demon Hunters director’s family trip.

Busan

The March 16 episode moved to Busan. Busan City promoted the episode in its own press release, naming Haedong Yonggungsa, the temple on the rocks by the sea, the beach at Gwangalli, and the Hwangnyeongsan observatory, where the group stayed late over the city’s night view. Gwangalli’s beach road also appears in the Black Panther Busan guide.

Getting there

Seoul

Find each leg on Seoul Metro or Naver Map (English UI).

Busan, from Seoul

We have not checked this route against an official timetable. Search Seoul → Busan on Korail for trains on your travel date, and plan each Busan leg with Kakao Map or Naver Map.

Sources

All sources for this guide

Accessed Oct 2, 2026 (Asia/Seoul) unless noted.

Busan City — Busan’s attractions on Welcome, First Time in Korea? (press release, Mar 17, 2023)
Financial News — Busan episode airs (Mar 17, 2023)
Xports News — Haedong Yonggungsa visit (Mar 16, 2023)
MBC entertainment news — UK friends’ Busan trip (2023-03)
Xports News — Taekwondo class (Mar 9, 2023)
Etnews — Taekwondo class (Mar 9, 2023)

New to transit in Korea? See Getting around Korea for map apps, transit cards and train booking.

FAQ

Which places are confirmed and which are only reported?: Haedong Yonggungsa and Hwangnyeongsan are confirmed: Busan City's press release and the broadcaster's publicity name them independently. Gwangalli and both Seoul stops are reported, each with a single source so far.
Can I stay where the friends stayed?: No. Lodging, the host's home and unnamed businesses are not listed. The "Where to stay" links search by neighborhood instead.
Is N Seoul Tower free to visit?: The grounds are free; the observatory and the Namsan cable car are ticketed.
How should I split the trip between Seoul and Busan?: This guide recommends basing yourself in Seoul first, then Busan, following the trip's airing order.
Will this page use images from the show?: No.