How and Where Squid Game Was Filmed
Squid Game was filmed primarily in South Korea, with a mix of purpose-built sets, studio soundstages, and exterior locations across Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province. The production relied on controlled studios for most interiors to maintain visual consistency, while specific streets, malls, and coastal lookouts provided recognizable city context. This balance let the team scale complex sequences, manage tight schedules, and control costs while using real, local places to ground the story.
Production Company and Studio Infrastructure
The series was produced by Hwa&Dam Pictures and distributed globally by Netflix. Most interiors and corridor sets were built on soundstages, allowing repeatable lighting, camera rigs, and safety setups for the games. Dedicated stages enabled efficient reshoots and the integration of practical effects for the dalgona and glass bridge scenes. Post‑production, VFX, and editing were coordinated from central studio bases in the Seoul metropolitan area.
Primary Soundstages and Backlot Facilities
The core soundstages were located in the Seoul Capital Area, with additional space in Gyeonggi Province. These facilities housed the red, green, and blue player rooms, the lobby, and the meticulous game corridors. Using backlot stages allowed the production to recreate institutional interiors at scale while adjusting set dressing for each episode’s narrative beats.
Costume, Makeup, and Post‑Production Hubs
Costume and makeup units operated from dedicated studios, ensuring consistency across the 456 players and staff. Proximity to editing and VFX teams reduced turnaround time for heavy CGI, motion‑control shots, and composite work, especially for the nighttime cityscapes and the aerial views of the compound.
Seoul Exterior Locations and Urban Context
Several recognizable Seoul spots appear in the opening and later episodes, chosen for traffic, signage, and architectural clarity. Crews often adjusted shoot windows to minimize public disruption while capturing usable background plate.
- Myeongdong and Namdaemun area: crowded streets used for the player recruitment montage.
- Gwanghwamun and City Hall vicinity: wide plazas that framed large crowd scenes.
- Cheonggyecheon and surrounding alleys: nighttime walkways for atmospheric inserts.
Incheon Port and Coastal Lookouts
Incheon provided coastal and port elements for select scenes, adding a muted, industrial backdrop that contrasted with the brightly lit interiors. The team used regulated dock zones and negotiated access windows to maintain continuity without impacting local operations.
Gyeonggi Province and Purpose‑Built Compounds
Outside the capital region, the production sourced compounds and facilities that could host the large ensemble and the recurring sets. This choice simplified logistics, reduced urban permitting needs, and allowed custom builds for the dormitories and interior courtyards.
Balancing Location Authenticity and Production Efficiency
The show weighed real urban textures against control, repeatability, and budget. Street scenes benefited from genuine city lighting and traffic patterns, while interiors relied on stages where cameras, rigs, and safety crews could operate predictably. This strategy is common in Korean streaming dramas that seek both visual credibility and efficient scheduling.
Key Production and Location Facts at a Glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Country | South Korea | Production announcements |
| Production Company | Hwa&Dam Pictures (under Studio N) | Company filings and press releases |
| Distributor | Netflix (global) | Netflix licensing disclosures |
| Filming Approach | Stage-based interiors with curated exterior shots | Industry publications and trade reports |
| Major Cities Used | Seoul, Incheon, surrounding Gyeonggi areas | Location reports and crew interviews |
| Set Construction | Custom built sets for games, dormitory, and corridors | Production notes and art department features |
Why Location Choices Mattered for the Story
The contrast between mundane city streets and the hyper-controlled compound heightened the tone of inequality and surveillance. Using recognizable Seoul neighborhoods made the recruitment scenes feel plausible, while purpose‑built interiors allowed the directors to choreograph the games with exact geometry and lighting. This pairing of ordinary and constructed spaces became a visual anchor for the series’ themes.
Scheduling, Permits, and Local Coordination
Shooting in dense districts required detailed scheduling, local authority coordination, and noise management. The team typically obtained permits for streets, secured permissions for private compounds, and aligned night shoots with traffic patterns. These steps reduced interruptions and helped maintain continuity across long filming blocks.
Budget, Efficiency, and Long‑Term Reuse
Stage work lowered location fees and weather risk, while selected outdoor sites provided atmospheric value at controlled cost. By combining durable sets with a few iconic real places, the production balanced budget constraints against the need for visual credibility. The built sets also remain available for potential spin‑offs or related media, extending the investment’s usefulness.
Takeaways for Viewers and Industry Watchers
Squid Game’s locations were chosen to serve storytelling, operational feasibility, and cost control. Recognizable Seoul streets grounded the premise, while stages and compound builds enabled the complex game choreography and visual effects. The production model reflects standard Korean series workflows adapted to a high‑profile global release.