7 Family By Choice Filming Locations to Visit in Seoul, Gyeongju + More

Family By Choice was one of my favorite comfort kdramas in 2024.

I was still in South Korea while it was airing and was able to visit some of the filming locations, including the iconic stairs (though it was a journey!)

Here are all of the Family By Choice filming locations I visited, split by city.

I also included spots that I wasn’t able to go to but would visit next time.

Table of Contents

Family by Choice Filming Locations in Gampo

1. Gampo Stairways

Google Maps | Naver

Family by Choice filming location in Gyeongju shows a small, rustic eatery with wooden interior decor and framed pictures on the walls. A steaming bowl of kalguksu (handmade knife-cut noodle soup) is served on a black tray, accompanied by a side dish of kimchi. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere with warm lighting and simple furnishings.

First, the iconic stairs decorated in lilac-colored flowers.

In the show, this is where Ju-won’s father’s kalguksu restaurant is located.

The restaurant is actually a bike-themed cafe called Arbol.

This is located in a small town called Gampo, an hour+ bus ride from Gyeongju.

Family by Choice kdrama kalguksu restaurant filming location in Gyeongju shows a small, rustic eatery with wooden interior decor and framed pictures on the walls. A steaming bowl of kalguksu (handmade knife-cut noodle soup) is served on a black tray, accompanied by a side dish of kimchi. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere with warm lighting and simple furnishings.

I was staying in Busan at the time, and took a day trip to Gyeongju.

When I went, it was mostly locals who stumbled upon the location and recognized the stairs.

How to get there:

Take bus 100, 100-1, 1100, or 700 if coming from the Gyeongju Bus Terminal.

Some of these buses only come once an hour.

Get off the Gampo Market bus stop, which will be at the main town’s plaza. From there, it’s a 2-minute walk.

2. Lighthouses

Family by Choice kdrama lighthouses location in Seoul captures a harbor with calm water reflecting the blue sky and scattered clouds. Fishing boats are docked near breakwaters lined with two white lighthouses and a red lighthouse. The scene is framed by a concrete pier in the foreground with black and yellow safety markings.

I also walked a few minutes to the shore where you can see the lighthouses from the kdrama.

Gampo is also where house with the rooftop scenes were filmed, though you won’t be able to go to the rooftop so it may not be worth visiting.

Family by Choice kdrama rooftop filming location in Gyeongju features a green-painted rooftop terrace overlooking a harbor with fishing boats, a breakwater, and a red and white lighthouse. A raised wooden platform with a low table is surrounded by potted plants, traditional Korean earthenware pots, and string lights along the railing. Three people stand on the rooftop, dressed casually, with one looking back toward the camera. — photo credit: JTBC

The bus going back to Gyeongju only comes about once an hour, so make sure to time your visit.

Family By Choice Filming Locations in Gyeongju

3. Bitnuri Garden

Google Maps | Naver

A scenic pathway surrounded by vibrant light installations shaped like flowers, with a large glowing lotus centerpiece in the background, located at Hwangseong Park's Bitnuri Garden during the night in Gyeongju, Korea.

Many scenes from Family By Choice were filmed in the ancient city of Gyeongju.

Since it was getting late, the only one I was able to visit was the Bitnuri Garden.

This is from episode 7 where Ju-won and San-ha go out to get bungeoppang.

A red food cart with a canopy is set up in the foreground, where a young woman in a green sweater and plaid skirt is buying a snack, while a young man in a black jacket and backpack stands beside her. In the background, a modern white building with a curved roof is visible, along with a glowing lotus-shaped installation. — photo credit: JTBC

To get there, you take a quick 10-15 minute bus from downtown.

Make sure to visit in the evening when it’s lit up.

Other popular filming sites in Gyeongju:

4. Genhwa Girls’ High School

Google Maps | Naver

The high school filming location in Gyeongju for Family by Choice features a large, multi-story building with a combination of red brick and white panels, with a central glass tower. Three students in dark green blazers and brown pants walk across a dirt field, with a small soccer goal and a basketball hoop in the background. — photo credit: JTBC

In the show this is where the three went to high school.

It is a private girls’ high school, though I’ve seen some fans visit. Just make sure to go on a weekend.

This is located north-east of the Bitnuri Garden, and you’ll need to take a short bus ride from downtown.

5. Childhood Apartment Building

Google Maps | Naver

A 30-minute’s walk south from the Bitnuri Garden (or short bus ride) is their childhood apartment building.

Of course, visit respectfully!

More Filming Locations in Gyeongju

Many of the scenes shot in cafes and restaurants were filmed in Gyeongju.

Like when Ju-won and Jun-ho went on a date at this restaurant.

Or when Hae-joon and Park Dal ate together here.

Family By Choice Filming Locations in Seoul

6. A Kiss in the Tunnel Scene

Google Maps | Naver

Family by Choice kdrama tunnel filming location, Seoul, Korea – A wet road under a curved tunnel with vines and greenery hanging from the top. A couple stands in the middle of the road, sharing a kiss in the rain. The yellow road line leads toward the tunnel entrance, with dim lighting casting soft shadows on the wet pavement. — photo credit: JTBC

One of the most well-known scenes filmed in Seoul was when Ju-won and Sanha had their first kiss (besides the accidental one).

The tunnel is located near Sinchon station, right across a 7-eleven.

I was staying a few blocks away and visited right after the episode aired and saw some others taking photos.

Curved concrete tunnel with a low clearance sign reading "2.7m" at the entrance. Yellow and black stripes run along the tunnel walls, with exposed wiring and fluorescent lights overhead. Fallen autumn leaves cover the road as two pedestrians walk through, one holding a dark umbrella.

It’s also the same tunnel featured in Undercover High School (2025).

The stairs right next to the tunnel is a Lovely Runner filming location where Sol and Tae-seong talk when she’s dressed as a grandma.

Family By Choice Filming Locations in Haengam-dong

7. Neighborhood Bus Stop

Google Maps | Naver

A wooden bus stop with a slanted roof stands in front of a calm body of water, with fishing boats and distant mountains in the background. Three young people in school uniforms stand beneath it, looking up as rain falls. A blue and white bench is placed under the structure, with potted plants and flowers nearby — photo credit: JTBC

Haengam-dong is where they filmed scenes waiting for the bus stop, as well as the path they always walked along.

This is 2-3 hour trip from Busan.

I’d recommend visiting if you’re already traveling around nearby cities.

More Family By Choice Filming Locations

Family by Choice kdrama flower stairs filming location in Gyeongju features a long outdoor staircase painted with large purple flowers with yellow centers. The stairs are bordered by traditional-style houses, one with a wooden sign reading "Arbol" next to a bicycle leaning against the wall. The background shows a bright blue sky with white clouds and a mural extending the floral design.

There are many more filming locations, but these are the main ones!

The most popular one is the stairways, though it can be a long bus journey for a quick visit, it was fun visiting.

Many scenes were filmed in Gyeongju, which is one of the cities I recommend most when visiting South Korea.

Hope this Family by Choice filming locations post was helpful. Have fun!

K-Drama Tours to Join

🌰 Lovely Runner Filming Locations in Suwon tour from Seoul

🪂 K-Drama ‘Crash Landing on You’ Private Tour

🚌 Queen of Tears Mungyeong Filming Location Day Tour

🎫 From Seoul: Classic K-Drama Dae Jang Geum Park Tour

7 Family By Choice Filming Locations to Visit in Seoul, Gyeongju + More