Explore the real-life Seoul locations behind Episode 1 of Undercover Miss Hong – from neon fried chicken alleys to red brick churches and retro video stores.
From neon-lit back alleys and humble fried chicken shops to silent red-brick churches and forgotten VHS rental stores, Episode 1 of Undercover Miss Hong (starring Park Shin-hye) quietly introduces viewers to a Seoul that feels intimate, nostalgic, and deeply human. Rather than relying on glamorous skylines, the series opens with everyday spaces where light, texture, and atmosphere tell their own story—places where secrets linger, memories surface, and ordinary lives unfold under soft evening glow. These locations are not just backgrounds; they are emotional anchors that reflect the drama’s themes of hidden identities, solitude, and quiet resilience. More importantly for fans and travelers, many of these cinematic moods can still be experienced in real life across Korea today.
Ulala Tongdak Alley (Episode 1) – From Screen to Real Streets You Can Visit
In Episode 1 of Undercover Miss Hong starring Park Shin-hye, one of the most evocative establishing shots takes place outside a small fried chicken shop with a glowing sign that reads “Ulala Tongdak” (울랄라 통닭). Tucked into a narrow side street, the storefront is framed by aging tiles, weathered concrete, and warm neon light spilling onto the pavement. A single figure walks past, the door swings open, and the soft red glow of the interior reveals wooden chairs, simple tables, and the unmistakable comfort of a late-night Korean tongdak joint.
This scene immediately grounds the drama in a world that feels intimate and real rather than glamorous. Instead of high-rise skylines, we see:
- A back-alley neighborhood where everyday life unfolds quietly
- Retro neon signage in Korean, slightly faded, slightly nostalgic
- The atmosphere of 1990s–early 2000s Seoul, preserved in small, family-run eateries
- The emotional warmth of a place where people stop for fried chicken and beer after long, anonymous days
For Park Shin-hye’s character, this alley becomes a visual metaphor: ordinary on the surface, yet full of hidden stories. The soft lighting, narrow pavement, and humble shopfront create a cinematic stillness that perfectly matches the undercover, low-profile nature of her role.
While “Ulala Tongdak” may be a set or a modified real shop, its vibe is deeply authentic—and the good news is that you can experience very similar places in real life.
Real-Life Locations in Korea With the Same Vibe
If you want to recreate this Undercover Miss Hong moment and check in at locations that feel just like this scene, look for these areas and types of spots in Seoul:
1. Euljiro Nogari Alley (을지로 노가리 골목)
A narrow network of streets filled with old-style bars and chicken joints, glowing with neon at night. Concrete walls, plastic chairs, and warm light create almost the same visual mood as the Ulala Tongdak scene.
2. Jongno 3-ga Back Streets
Hidden behind the main avenues are small tongdak and hof (beer halls) that look frozen in time. Many storefronts still use hand-painted signs and classic neon typography.
3. Mangwon Market Side Lanes
Just outside the main market, you’ll find tiny fried chicken shops and late-night eateries with the same cozy, local feeling—perfect for cinematic street photos.
4. Seongsu Old Factory District Alleys
Once industrial, now trendy, but still full of small retro restaurants. At night, the mix of worn brick, fluorescent light, and narrow sidewalks closely echoes the atmosphere of the drama.
5. Myeongdong Back Alleys (Not the Main Shopping Street)
Step away from the crowds and into the smaller lanes where local chicken-and-beer spots operate. These areas offer the same contrast of bright signs against quiet, shadowed streets.
Together, these real-life locations allow fans of Undercover Miss Hong to step directly into the drama’s visual world:
neon reflections on old walls, the scent of fried chicken in the air, and the comforting anonymity of a Seoul night alley—exactly the kind of place where Park Shin-hye’s story first begins.
The Red Brick Church (Episode 1) – A Sacred, Cinematic Pause in Undercover Miss Hong
Another striking location in Episode 1 of Undercover Miss Hong is the red-brick church where a quiet, emotionally charged scene unfolds. Inside, soft light filters through stained-glass windows, illuminating rows of wooden pews, religious statues, and floral arrangements near the altar. Outside, the church’s tall brick tower and circular rose window glow against the night sky, creating a calm, almost timeless atmosphere.
Visually, this space contrasts beautifully with the neon-lit alley of the fried chicken shop. Where the street scene feels urban and everyday, the church offers:
- Gothic-inspired red brick architecture with arched windows
- Colorful stained glass casting blue, gold, and crimson tones
- A sense of stillness and introspection, enhanced by evening lighting
- The mood of a hidden sanctuary within the city, ideal for secrets, prayers, and emotional turning points
Although the exact church used for filming has not been officially confirmed, its architectural style is very recognizable in Korea. Several real churches offer the same visual and emotional vibe, making them perfect real-life “check-in” spots for fans who want to step into the world of Undercover Miss Hong.
Real-Life Churches in Korea With the Same Vibe
1. Myeongdong Cathedral (Seoul)
A landmark Gothic Revival church with red brick walls, tall spires, and stunning stained glass. Frequently used as a K-drama filming location and especially atmospheric at night.
2. Yakhyeon Catholic Church (Seoul)
One of the oldest Western-style churches in Korea, featuring classic brickwork and a tranquil interior that closely matches the series’ mood.
3. Jeondong Cathedral (Jeonju)
Famous for its European-style façade, rose windows, and beautiful lighting after sunset. A favorite photo spot and film backdrop.
4. Jungang Catholic Cathedral (Busan)
A historic brick church with colorful stained glass and a peaceful, cinematic presence, particularly in evening scenes.
Visiting these churches allows viewers to experience the same serene, contemplative atmosphere seen in Episode 1: warm light on brick walls, quiet courtyards, and stained glass glowing softly in the dark. For fans of Undercover Miss Hong, they are ideal places to recreate the drama’s visual language and capture photos that feel as if they belong inside the series itself.
Retro Video Rental Store (Episode 1) – A Nostalgic Time Capsule in Undercover Miss Hong
In Episode 1 of Undercover Miss Hong, another visually memorable moment takes place inside a small video rental store, where shelves are packed tightly with colorful VHS tapes. The camera frames Park Shin-hye’s character from behind as she stands quietly in front of rows upon rows of movie boxes, their spines forming a mosaic of bold typography, faded illustrations, and age-worn plastic cases.
The space instantly evokes a different era of Seoul:
- Floor-to-ceiling wooden shelves filled with VHS tapes
- Category labels in Korean, neatly handwritten or printed above each section
- The warm, slightly dim lighting of a shop that feels frozen in the late 1990s
- A mood of solitude, memory, and hidden stories, perfectly aligned with the drama’s undercover theme
This is not just a store—it is a visual symbol of the past, of secrets recorded on tape, of lives documented and then forgotten. The stillness of the scene, combined with the tactile presence of analog media, creates a quiet emotional contrast to the fast, digital world outside. It subtly mirrors the protagonist’s double life: carefully filed, categorized, and concealed, just like the tapes on the shelves.
While true VHS rental shops have mostly disappeared in Korea, the aesthetic still survives in a few real places that preserve this nostalgic, cinematic atmosphere.
Real-Life Locations in Korea With a Similar Vibe
1. Video Tape Archive Cafés in Euljiro (Seoul)
Several retro cafés and cultural spaces in Euljiro display walls of VHS tapes and old movie posters, recreating the exact look and mood of a 1990s rental shop.
2. Seoul Animation Center Library (Namsan Area)
A public space with extensive shelves of classic media, including older formats. The quiet, archival feeling and organized rows echo the drama’s visual tone.
3. Cheonggyecheon Book & Media Alleys
Small second-hand bookstores and media shops here sometimes still carry VHS and VCD collections, stacked in dense, colorful rows similar to the scene.
4. Retro Film Cafés in Hongdae
Some concept cafés are fully styled as vintage video stores, complete with rental counters, label signs, and walls of tapes—ideal for photo check-ins with a K-drama, old-school mood.
Visiting these places allows fans to step into the same nostalgic world seen in Undercover Miss Hong: quiet aisles, analog memories, and the feeling of browsing through stories that once moved an entire generation. For travelers and K-drama lovers, they offer perfect photo spots to recreate the drama’s retro, introspective atmosphere.
Conclusion
Together, the Ulala Tongdak alley, the red-brick church, and the retro video rental store form a visual map of Undercover Miss Hong’s world: warm neon against worn concrete, stained glass glowing in the dark, and rows of VHS tapes preserving stories from another time. While some of the exact filming spots may remain unconfirmed, their spirit lives on in Seoul’s back streets, historic cathedrals, and nostalgic cultural spaces. By visiting the real-life locations with the same vibe, fans can step beyond the screen and into the drama’s atmosphere itself—walking the same kinds of alleys, standing beneath similar rose windows, and browsing shelves that echo the quiet poetry of analog days. It is a way to not only check in for photos, but to feel, for a moment, the same stillness and emotion that shaped Park Shin-hye’s first steps into the world of Undercover Miss Hong.
FAQs – Undercover Miss Hong Episode 1 Filming Locations
Where was Undercover Miss Hong Episode 1 filmed?
Episode 1 of Undercover Miss Hong was filmed mainly in Seoul, South Korea. The drama features atmospheric locations such as a neon-lit fried chicken alley, a red-brick Catholic church, and a retro video rental store, all chosen to reflect the quiet, nostalgic mood of the story.
Is Ulala Tongdak a real place in Seoul?
“Ulala Tongdak” appears to be a set or a modified real shop created for the series. However, its vibe is inspired by authentic tongdak (whole fried chicken) restaurants commonly found in back alleys in areas like Euljiro, Jongno, and Mangwon in Seoul.
Can fans visit places with the same vibe as the filming locations?
Yes. While some exact filming spots are unconfirmed, fans can visit real areas with the same atmosphere, such as Euljiro Nogari Alley, Jongno 3-ga back streets, Mangwon Market side lanes, Seongsu old factory alleys, and Myeongdong’s quieter back streets.
Which real church in Korea looks like the one in the drama?
The church in Episode 1 resembles several famous red-brick Catholic churches in Korea, including Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, Yakhyeon Catholic Church, Jeondong Cathedral in Jeonju, and Jungang Catholic Cathedral in Busan.
Does the video rental store still exist in real life?
Traditional VHS rental shops are now rare in Korea, but similar retro aesthetics can be found in Euljiro’s vintage cafés, Seoul Animation Center Library, Cheonggyecheon second-hand media shops, and concept film cafés in Hongdae.
What is the best time to visit these locations for photos?
Evening and early night are ideal, when neon signs, street lights, and stained glass windows create the same cinematic lighting seen in Undercover Miss Hong.
Is this a good itinerary for K-drama fans visiting Seoul?
Absolutely. These locations offer a perfect K-drama-inspired walking route for fans of Park Shin-hye and lovers of nostalgic, cinematic Seoul, combining street food, historic architecture, and retro culture in one experience.
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