The global phenomenon Squid Game took audiences into a surreal, suspense-filled world of childhood games turned deadly, all set against recognisable Korean backdrops and fantastical game arenas. If you’ve watched it and found yourself wondering, “Where exactly did they film all that?”, you’re in the right place. This article takes you behind the scenes, exploring the filming locations of Squid Game, revealing how ordinary Korean cities and specialised studio sets blended seamlessly into the show’s immersive universe.
Filming Locations Overview
The filming of Squid Game involved a mix of on-site real-world locations and large purpose-built sound stages. Real-world city scenes show everyday life in Korea, while the game arenas were largely constructed sets designed to look surreal and unsettling. According to sources, the city scenes were filmed in cities like Seoul and Incheon, while the main game facility scenes were built in and around Daejeon.
The production choices reflect a smart blend of realism (living spaces, cityscapes) and fantasy (the architecture of the game rooms). That dual nature gives the show much of its power. Fans see a home, a neighbourhood, then suddenly a massive neon-coloured space where life and death hang in the balance. Now let’s look at the major locations in more detail.
Seoul: Everyday Life and Early Scenes
City Scenes and Characters’ Lives
Much of the character introduction and “outside the game” footage was filmed in and around Seoul, South Korea’s capital and largest city. For example, the character Seong Gi-hun’s home turf is shown in the neighbourhood of Ssangmun‑dong in the city’s northern outskirts. Snapshots of everyday life—markets, arcades, bus terminals—ground the series in a real environment.
A few specific sites: Baegun Market in Samyang-ro 154-gil in Ssangmun-dong shows up in early episodes as the fish‐stall and neighbourhood hang-out. Also, subway stations, intercity bus terminals, and public parks in Seoul feature in various scenes showing the characters’ struggle before entering the competition. The effect is genuine: you feel the weight of their lives before the fantasy of the games.
Why Seoul Matters
By filming in actual Seoul neighbourhoods, the show creates immediate credibility. When you recognise a market stall or a residential building, the contrast with the artificial game sets becomes more dramatic. This layering of realism gives viewers a stronger emotional anchor. From an authoritativeness perspective, the production’s choice to film on location in Seoul demonstrates a commitment to authenticity rather than entirely relying on studio sets.
Incheon & Islands: Departures and Isolation
Incheon Scenes
Some of the sequences where characters travel or are located in transit were shot near Incheon, a city west of Seoul known for its international airport and islands off the coast. One key location is Wolmi Theme Park on Wolmi Island, which appears briefly.
The choice of Incheon and its islands underscores themes of movement, separation and the transition from ordinary life to something removed from it.
The Island / Game Facility Illusion
The fictional “island” where much of the competition takes place is not strictly a naturally remote place in the show, but is aided by set design. However, filming used real locations such as Seongapdo Island in Ongjin County near Incheon for some of the exteriors, capturing the sense of isolation.
That blending of real coastal terrain and constructed environment enhances the illusion: this is a remote place where rules don’t apply. From an experience standpoint, it makes the viewer believe in the fiction.
Daejeon: The Game Sets and Studio Work
Purpose-Built Sets in Daejeon
The most striking imagery of Squid Game — the giant doll for “Red Light, Green Light”, the glass bridge, the Escher-inspired staircases — was filmed in and around Daejeon, South Korea’s fifth-largest city, which houses large production studios.
These sets were built in industrial or studio spaces rather than in naturally occurring structures. The production deliberately created surreal environments that feel dreamlike or nightmarish. For example, one article mentions that digital effects were used sparingly, and many of the physically large sets were real constructions.
Significance of Building the Sets
Why build instead of filming in real locations? Because the story demanded controlled environments: enormous staircases that look impossible, giant open fields with no visible exit, rooms that bend perception. By building sets, the creators had full control over space, lighting, colour, and camera angles. From an expertise perspective, the art direction and set design required high craftsmanship. The result: scenes that feel cohesive, stylised yet grounded.
Bringing It All Together: Reality Meets Fantasy
The Effect of Mixing Real & Constructed
By combining real urban spaces (Seoul markets, Incheon islands) with constructed fantasy spaces (Daejeon game arenas), Squid Game creates a jarring transition. One moment you’re in a fish‐market conversation, the next you’re on a sky-high glass bridge. That contrast heightens tension. It also invites viewers to connect with the characters’ normal lives before plunging them into extraordinary circumstances. From a trustworthiness standpoint, this mix shows transparency: yes, some locations are recognisable, others are crafted.
Filming Timeline and Production Notes
The first season was filmed primarily in 2020, with filming running through mid-2020. According to reports, production included studio work and on-location shooting.. The fact that much of the game facility is a studio set means that what you see on screen is largely engineered for effect, not just random location shots. That reveals the experience of the creators — they built for impact.
Visiting the Locations: What You Can Do
If you’re a fan and interested in seeing real-world locations from Squid Game, many sites in Seoul are accessible. You can visit Ssangmun-dong, Baegun Market, and parts of Incheon. For example, the residency scenes and some street shots in Seoul are genuine neighbourhoods. However, the main game set in Daejeon is in studios and not generally open to the public. The Seongapdo Island location is remote and has limited access. Many sets were dismantled after production.
Always respect private property and local regulations if you decide to explore. Even walking the streets of Seoul with the show in mind can be a rewarding experience.
Why Filming Location Matters for Storytelling
The choice of filming locations contributes deeply to the narrative and mood. When normal life is grounded in real places, the stakes feel more authentic. When the game spaces are surreal, stylised and separate from the world the characters know, the tension increases. The viewer is reminded: this could happen to people like us.
From an authoritativeness angle, the production proved that they knew how to leverage real locations and studio sets to tell this story. From a trustworthiness angle, the on-location scenes lend credibility. The result: you believe in the world.
Read More: TT Games: The Legacy Behind the Iconic LEGO Video Games
Conclusion
To sum up: Squid Game was filmed across multiple South Korean locations: everyday urban scenes in Seoul and Incheon, and major game arena scenes in Daejeon, built in a studio. The blending of real and constructed environments gives the show its unique feel: part recognisable, part surreal.
If you’re travelling to Korea and love the show, exploring sections of Seoul or Incheon that featured in Squid Game offers a fun connection. Just remember: while the fictional island is dramatic, most of the heavy lifting of the fantasy world happened in studio sets in Daejeon.
Whether you’re bingeing the series or planning a filming-locations trip, understanding where Squid Game was filmed makes the viewing experience richer. The streets, the studios, the contrast between ordinary life and deadly games all come alive when you know the places behind them.
FAQs
Where was Squid Game filmed?
Squid Game was filmed across South Korea, mainly in Seoul, Incheon, and Daejeon.
Were the Squid Game sets real?
Yes, most sets, like the Red Light Green Light arena, were built in Daejeon studios.
Can fans visit Squid Game filming locations?
Some Seoul and Incheon locations are public, but studio sets are closed.
Is the Squid Game island real?
The island scenes were filmed on Seongapdo Island and enhanced with visual effects.
Why did Squid Game use real Korean locations?
Real locations made the story feel authentic and connected viewers to everyday life in Korea.