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[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Make like an assassin at these 'Kill Bok-soon' filming locations

Published: 14 Apr. 2023, 09:25 Updated: 14 Apr. 2023, 13:17

Gil Bok-soon (Jeon Do-yeon) and Cha Min-kyu (Sol Kyung-Gu) share a conversation in the old restaurant, Cheolgil Tteokbokki. [NETFLIX]

A Korean film, a killer and a charismatic female character. Ringing any bells?

“Kill Bok-soon” (2023), released Mar. 31, is currently one of the leading shows on Netflix, following “The Glory” (2022). On the third day of its release, “Kill Bok-soon” was the most watched non-English movie on Netflix globally.

A somewhat common subject of Korean assassin stories, Gil Bok-sun is both the best assassin in the business while simultaneously balancing life as the single mother of a teenage daughter. The clear contrast between the roles intensifies as the burden of performing both gradually catches up with her.

However intense the film might be, the shooting venues make for some fantastic weekend getaways, both for fans looking to relive the dramatic moments and anybody else hoping for a nice day out. The more viral the film goes, the more popular those locations are going to get.

If you were one of the avid viewers of this movie, here are four major "Kill Bok-soon" filming locations you can visit.

Bank of Korea Money Museum

The exterior of MK Ent., Gil Bok-soon's company, was shot at the Bank of Korea Money Museum. [NETFLIX]

The Bank of Korea Money Museum, located at Jung District, central Seoul, embraces the 20th Century’s definition of modern architecture. Built in 1912 to serve as the head office of the Bank of Korea, the building has been operating as a money museum since 2001.

The renaissance architecture perfectly conveys the heavy feeling of assassin company MK Ent. in the movie. The huge building stands in the very heart of the metropolitan area, its presence grave yet its identity as the home of an assassination company unknown to the world.

The Bank of Korea Money Museum is a renaissance-style building, fitting the film's dark background. [BAEK JONG-HYUN]

Interestingly enough, only the exteriors of this grand building were shot for the film. In fact, its interior gives off a completely different vibe as it was modernly altered to function as a museum. You cannot see the insides of the actual museum in the movie, since the interior was shot elsewhere.

The museum gets more than 1,000 visitors on weekends, with no charge for entrance or guided tours.

39, Namdaemunno, Jung District, central Seoul
Business hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed Mondays, Labor day (5.1), Dec. 29 ~ Jan. 2, Election day, Lunar New Year holiday and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) holiday
Admission Fee: Free, Tours are free but booking is needed via website or at the information desk if there is capacity left
Phone number: 02)759-4881, 4882
Website: https://www.bok.or.kr/eng/main/contents.do?menuNo=400267

Culture Station Seoul 284

Jeon Do-yeon, the leading actress playing the role of Gil Bok soon, shoots a scene in Culture Station Seoul 284. [NETFLIX]

Built in 1925, Culture Station Seoul 284 is famously Seoul's former central train station. The old part of Seoul Station closed in 2004, only to make a comeback seven years later as a cultural complex. This is the venue for the interior shots of MK Ent. The central hall was the lobby of Gil’s workplace, the wide granite floor naturally mixing with the historical walls shot for the exteriors at the Money Museum. The 12 stone columns add to Gil Bok-soon’s powerful entry.

Visitors should not miss out the lounge cafe and select shop Yeonnam Bangagan, the second word meaning mill in Korean. It curates items created by local artists and showcases them for many to see, as well as serving special desserts. The complex also runs exhibitions from time to time, so check the website before visiting. Currently the complex is running a craft work exhibition inspired by nature. The exhibition runs until June 4.

@culturestationseoul284
Culture Station Seoul 284, Seoul Station (Headquarter) 1, Tongil-ro, Jung District, central Seoul
Business Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Entry open until 30 minutes before closing. Closed Mondays, Lunar New Year holiday and Chuseok.
Admission Fee: Free
Website: https://www.seoul284.org/main

Cheolgil Tteokbokki

Cheolgil Tteokbokki's outdoor tables overlook the view of trains passing on the railroad. [BAEK JONG-HYUN]

In a scene showing an old local restaurant, most movie watchers would have been busy concentrating on the conversation between the two leading characters, Gil Bok-soon (Jeon Do-yeon) and Cha Min-kyu (Seol Kyung-gu). Few might have been distracted by the appetizing sight of the Korean snack food, from tteokbokki to fries and fish cake skewers.

Cheolgil Tteokbokki, located in Seodaemun District, western Seoul, is probably the most local tteokbokki place you can find in Seoul. Tteokbokki, rice cakes with red pepper sauce, is one of the two main reasons people visit this restaurant that is literally nearly falling apart. The red pepper sauce simmers well into the wheat, satisfying the taste buds of those who came for a taste of the classic and basic tteokbokki.

Cheolgil Tteokbokki's exteriors scream old and local, and its business has continued for 52 years. [BAEK JONG-HYUN]

The second reason is the mix of rural and urban view from the outdoor tables, where you can catch sight of trains passing by on the railroad. Handed down across two generations totaling 52 years, people go back to the old restaurant for its unchanging taste and their nostalgic childhood memories.

“Our old regulars bring their children here; then the kids keep coming back, carrying on their parents’ traditions,” said Heo Deok-hoe, the current owner of Cheolgil Tteokbokki. “My wish is that my son takes over my business to continue the tradition.”

35-6 Chungjeong-ro, Seodaemun District, northwestern Seoul
Business Hours: 11:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m., Closed Saturdays and public holidays
Phone number: 02) 364-3440

Tteokbokki 3,500 won
Sundae 3,500 won
Ramen 3,500 won
Gimbap 1,500 won
Fish cake skewer 700 won

Bucheon Art Bunker B39

Bucheon Art Bunker B39 is where the aspiring killers trained day and night. [BUCHEON ART BUNKER B39]

Located in Bucheon, Gyeonggi, Bucheon Art Bunker B39 is the setting of the dark basement where the trainees of MK Ent. practice killing strategies. Free from concerns of being exposed to the public, this entirely segregated space was an incineration plant back in 1995. After running the incinerator for 15 years, it closed to undergo redevelopment and reopened as an art and culture space.

It is considered an artistic venue for experimental artwork and creative projects. Production teams of many shows visit Bucheon Art Bunker B39 to shoot, and Louis Vuitton's Men's Fall-Winter 2021 Online Show that featured BTS members as models was shot here as well.

The place is currently running reduced opening days in preparation of a reopening. Until April 30, it is closed on Sundays and opens from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on other days.

@artbunkerb39
53, Samjak-ro 352beon-gil, Bucheon city, west-central Gyeonggi
Business Hours: Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Closed on Mondays and public holidays)
Admission Fee: Free
Phone number: 032)321-3901
Website: https://artbunkerb39.org/en/main/main.html