VANK, a South Korean nonprofit known for its public-diplomacy and cultural projects, has launched “Seoul Scenes,” a multilingual travel platform designed to help international visitors explore places connected to Korean dramas, films and K-pop. The platform was announced on November 12 and organizes 95 themed routes covering 100 key locations across Seoul. The service is aimed at travelers who want to move beyond watching Korean content and visit the places seen on screen. Its sample storytelling follows a fictional American visitor named Brian as he explores locations including Nodeulseom, the riverside island associated with the drama “Start-Up,” along with other streets and neighborhoods connected to Korean popular culture. Rather than presenting the locations as a single undifferentiated list, Seoul Scenes separates drama sites, film locations and places associated with K-pop. The categories are marked with different colors and displayed through Google Maps and OpenStreetMap.
Visitors can select a location to see background information, the nearest subway exit, walking directions and an estimated travel time. One useful feature is the platform’s effort to distinguish between an actual filming location, a place linked to an artist and a site that simply appeared as scenery. That distinction matters for international travelers, who may otherwise assume that every location mentioned in fan guides had a direct connection to a production or performer. The platform also includes an AI travel guide that can suggest routes based on a visitor’s available time and interests. A walking-assistance function uses GPS information, including the user’s current location and walking pace, to provide navigation. Seoul Scenes is available in Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese and Indonesian.
VANK says the new service expands on its earlier Seoul Peaks project, which focuses on the capital’s mountains and natural landscapes. Together, the projects reflect a broader shift in Korean tourism: popular culture is increasingly being used as a starting point for neighborhood exploration, rather than as a standalone attraction. For overseas visitors, the practical value is straightforward. A fan can connect a favorite drama or music act with a real itinerary, while still receiving basic transit and walking information. The platform does not replace official local tourism guidance, but it offers a focused way to organize a Seoul visit around the cultural references that first drew many international travelers to Korea.