When Squid Game burst onto Netflix, viewers around the world were captivated not only by the storyline but also by the striking visuals and unusual backdrops. Many fans found themselves wondering: where exactly was Squid Game filmed? The answer is both fascinating and deeply tied to South Korea’s film industry, which has become a powerhouse of creativity and innovation.
Daejeon: The Heart of the Game Sets
Most of the iconic sets from Squid Game—including the unforgettable arenas for “Red Light, Green Light,” the marble games, and the glass bridge—were not computer-generated. They were painstakingly built on soundstages in Daejeon, South Korea’s fifth-largest city.
Daejeon has long been known as a hub for science, research, and media production. Its state-of-the-art studios gave the creative team the space to construct elaborate sets that felt both surreal and terrifying.
The designers drew inspiration from the works of Dutch artist M. C. Escher, known for his impossible staircases and optical illusions. This influence is most visible in the pastel-colored maze of hallways that contestants walk through, symbolising confusion and entrapment.
Even the glass stepping-stone bridge—a scene that had viewers clutching their seats—was a practical build. It wasn’t suspended over a canyon, but placed just over a meter above the ground. With clever camera work and visual effects, the illusion of life-threatening height was achieved, while still allowing actors to perform safely.
Seongapdo Island: The Remote Exterior Shots
Those wide, aerial shots of a mysterious island surrounded by water sparked countless fan theories. In reality, those scenes were filmed at Seongapdo Island, a sparsely inhabited stretch of land located off South Korea’s west coast.
Shaped somewhat like a crab claw, Seongapdo is isolated and quiet, making it the perfect backdrop for the sinister nature of the games. Its inaccessibility mirrors the feeling of being cut off from the outside world, trapped in a deadly contest with no escape.
While most fans will never set foot on Seongapdo itself, its haunting appearance on screen added to the sense of unease that defined the series.
Seoul: Everyday Life Before the Games
Outside the games, Squid Game is grounded in the struggles of everyday life. To capture this, filming took place in several recognisable parts of Seoul, South Korea’s capital.
Ssangmun-dong served as Gi-hun’s neighbourhood. This residential area gave the show an authentic working-class backdrop, emphasising the protagonist’s financial struggles.
Local marketplaces and arcades in Chang-dong also appear in early episodes, highlighting ordinary life before contestants are lured into the games.
The famous subway station scene, where Gi-hun meets the recruiter and plays the traditional Korean game of ddakji, was filmed at Yangjae Citizens’ Forest Station in the upscale district of Gangnam. This contrast between wealth and desperation is a recurring theme throughout the series.
After contestants briefly leave the games, scenes were filmed at Namsan Mountain Park, offering natural landscapes and city views that symbolise fleeting freedom before reality pulls them back.
By using real neighbourhoods and public spaces, the production grounded the story in a Korea that feels relatable and true to life, making the leap into the deadly game world even more jarring.
Incheon: A Gateway Between Worlds
Another key filming location is Incheon, a city just west of Seoul. Viewers may recognise Incheon International Airport, one of the busiest in Asia, where several pivotal moments unfold. The airport serves as a symbol of possibility and escape, though for contestants, freedom remains out of reach.
Wolmi Theme Park and Wolmi Island also make brief appearances, blending playful settings with the darker tone of the show.
In addition, the futuristic skyline of the Songdo International Business District shows up in select shots. With its gleaming glass towers and modern architecture, Songdo highlights South Korea’s economic contrasts—wealth on one side, crushing debt on the other.
Paju English Village: An Unusual Recruitment Scene
One of the most surprising filming choices was Paju English Village, located just north of Seoul. Built to resemble a Western town, complete with European-style architecture, this site was originally designed for English language immersion programs.
In Squid Game, the location was used for one of the recruitment sequences, creating an uncanny sense of dislocation. The Western-inspired setting highlighted how the game world often feels foreign and unsettling, even when rooted in Korean culture.
Season 2 and Beyond: Expanding Familiar Grounds
When production began for Season 2, the creative team returned to many of the same hubs. Daejeon’s studios once again provided the foundation for massive set construction. Fans can expect more ambitious arenas, designed with the same mix of practicality and surrealism.
Incheon International Airport also reappeared, though this time filming briefly caused disruption, leading to public apologies from the production crew. Meanwhile, Seoul continued to offer authentic locations, from bustling parks to popular bakeries, deepening the story’s urban texture.
By reusing familiar sites while expanding with new ones, the second season continues to balance spectacle with realism.
Realism Meets Illusion
The magic of Squid Game lies in its seamless blend of realism and illusion. On one hand, you have the gritty urban environments of Seoul, where contestants’ personal struggles unfold. On the other hand, you have the hyper-stylised arenas built in Daejeon, designed to strip away comfort and force contestants into brutal games.
Seongapdo Island ties these two worlds together, visually representing the isolation and secrecy of the competition. The contrast between these locations mirrors the show’s central theme: ordinary people thrust into extraordinary, horrifying circumstances.
Why These Locations Matter
The filming choices weren’t random. Each location added layers of meaning:
Daejeon’s constructed sets amplified themes of control, manipulation, and entrapment.
Seongapdo Island underscored isolation and helplessness.
Seoul’s real streets and neighbourhoods reminded viewers that the contestants’ desperation is grounded in genuine socioeconomic realities.
Incheon and Paju symbolised transition, dislocation, and the blurring of worlds.
Together, these locations transformed Squid Game into more than just a thriller. They created an immersive experience that resonated globally, connecting audiences not only to the characters’ struggles but also to the environments shaping them.
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Conclusion
So, where was Squid Game filmed? The answer spans bustling Seoul neighbourhoods, futuristic Incheon districts, and the haunting isolation of Seongapdo Island. Most of the heart-stopping game arenas came to life in Daejeon’s studios, built by a production team determined to prioritise realism over digital shortcuts.
This combination of real-world urban grit and surreal, constructed sets made Squid Game visually unforgettable. For fans, these filming locations are more than backdrops—they are storytelling devices that reveal the tension between everyday hardship and extraordinary danger.
Whether you’re a casual viewer or a traveller hoping to explore South Korea’s cinematic landmarks, knowing the locations behind Squid Game adds another layer of appreciation to a series that continues to shape global pop culture.
FAQs
Where was Squid Game mainly filmed?
Most of the game sets were filmed in studios located in Daejeon, South Korea.
Is the Squid Game island real?
Yes, exterior shots were filmed on Seongapdo Island, a remote island off South Korea’s west coast.
Were any scenes filmed in Seoul?
Yes, several key scenes were shot in Seoul, including markets, subways, and neighbourhoods.
Was Squid Game filmed outside South Korea?
No, all major scenes were filmed in South Korea, using both real locations and studio sets.
Can tourists visit Squid Game filming locations?
Many Seoul and Incheon locations are public, but the Daejeon sets were temporary and dismantled.