I became a wizard for a day… 🧙‍♀️✨

About 943 King's Cross Cafe in Hongdae

943 King’s Cross Cafe is a Harry Potter-inspired cafe located in Hongdae, Seoul. If you’re looking for a Harry Potter-themed cafe in Seoul, this is definitely one of the places you’ll want to check out.

The cafe is designed to give visitors a magical, Hogwarts-inspired experience. What I particularly liked is that each floor has a different theme, so you can explore the cafe and choose an area where you’d like to sit.

It really does give you that Hogwarts vibe!

During my visit in 2024, drinks and desserts were around ₩6,000 to ₩25,000, depending on what you order. It’s definitely on the pricier side compared to a regular cafe in Seoul, but as a Potterhead, I think the experience makes it worth considering.

Address:

서울 마포구 양화로16길 24 B1층~4

Opening Hours:

Weekdays: 11:30 AM-9:30 PM

Friday-Sunday: 10:00 AM-9:30 PM

Magic Show:

Magic performances were held every Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 PM-4:00 PM.

My Experience with 943 King's Cross Cafe

You Can Wear a Hogwarts House Robe

One of my favorite parts of the experience was discovering that there were Hogwarts house robes available for visitors to wear for free.

Of course, I had to try one!

I wore the Ravenclaw robe because, well… that's the house I was originally sorted into. 😂

Although, now that I think about it, I’m not entirely sure if I’m still a Ravenclaw. Maybe I need to take the sorting quiz again.

But for that day, Ravenclaw it was.

Food and Drinks at 943 King’s Cross Cafe

We also ordered some drinks and dessert during our visit. (Of course, it's required to order first before you enter the cafe)

Everything we tried was good and definitely worth trying, although I still remember looking at other cakes and wishing I had enough money to order one. If only I had more money! 😂

But that's okay. It just gives me another reason to come back next time. And maybe next time, I'll finally get that cake.

Is 943 King’s Cross Cafe Worth Visiting?

 

🚆 Train Options (Most Popular Choice)

KTX (Korea Train Express)

Photo from Wikipedia

The KTX is the fastest and most convenient option for traveling between Seoul and Busan, which is why it is the most popular choice among both locals and tourists.

From Seoul Station to Busan Station, the travel time usually ranges from 2 hours and 30 minutes to around 3 hours, depending on the type of KTX train that you book.

You might notice that some trips are slightly faster than others, and that’s mainly because:

- Some KTX trains are direct or semi-direct with fewer stops

- Others make more stops along the way, which adds a bit more time

💸 Price:

Economy: 48,800 – 59,800 KRW

First Class: ~83,700 KRW

If you want to secure your seat ahead of time, especially during weekends or peak travel days, I highly recommend booking in advance through Klook, since tickets can sell out pretty quickly.

Pros:

- Fastest and most convenient train option

- Very comfortable and tourist-friendly

- Frequent schedules throughout the day

Cons:

- More expensive compared to other trains

- Can sell out quickly if you don’t book early

ITX-Saemaeul

Photo from Wikipedia

The ITX-Saemaeul is a great alternative if you want something more affordable than the KTX but still relatively comfortable.

The journey usually takes around 4.5 to 5.5 hours, which is longer, but still manageable if you’re not in a rush.

💸 Price: Around 40,000 KRW

Pros:

- More budget-friendly than KTX

- Comfortable seats and decent travel experience

Cons:

- Longer travel time

- Less frequent schedules compared to KTX

Mugunghwa Train

Photo from Wikipedia

The Mugunghwa is the most budget-friendly train option, making it ideal if you’re really trying to save money during your trip.

However, since it stops at many stations along the way, the travel time can take around 5.5 to 6 hours, which is definitely something to consider.

💸 Price: Around 26,000 KRW

I’ve personally taken this train multiple times, and while the seats are honestly still okay and comfortable enough, the long travel time can feel a bit tiring, especially if you have a packed schedule.

Pros:

- Cheapest train option available

- Good for travelers on a tight budget

Cons:

- Longest travel time

- More stops, which makes the journey feel slower

🚌 Bus (Best for Flexibility)

Photo from Youtrip

Another great option that a lot of people consider is taking the bus, especially if you want more flexibility with your schedule.

There are many buses going between Seoul and Busan, and the price usually depends on whether you choose a standard or premium bus, as well as the time of your trip.

💸 Price: 30,000 – 60,000 KRW

⏱️ Travel time: Around 4 hours (can vary depending on traffic)

One of the biggest advantages of taking the bus is the availability of night buses, which usually depart between midnight to around 2AM, allowing you to arrive early in the morning.

If you’re planning a late night in the city and still want to head back right after, this is actually a very convenient option. You can also reserve bus tickets in advance through Klook, which I recommend because they do get sold out pretty fast.

From personal experience, I often take the bus going to Seoul and back to Busan because there’s a bus stop near my place, and the seats are honestly really comfortable, especially if you choose the premium option.

Pros:

- Flexible schedules, including late-night options

- Comfortable seating (especially premium buses)

- Multiple departure locations

Cons:

- No onboard toilet

- Depends on traffic conditions

- Requires a rest stop break midway

✈️ Airplane (Fast but Overlooked)

Photo from Wikipedia

This is something that a lot of tourists don’t immediately consider, but yes. You can also fly between Seoul and Busan via Gimhae International Airport.

The flight itself takes less than an hour, making it technically the fastest option.

💸 Price: Sometimes as low as 35,000 KRW (with baggage included)

However, flights are usually limited to specific time slots, often early in the morning or later in the evening, so you really have to plan around those schedules.

Personally, if I can get a flight for around 35,000 KRW, I would definitely choose the airplane because it’s fast and sometimes even cheaper than other options. But I really need to keep an eye on the prices since those deals are not always available.

Pros:

- Fastest travel time overall

- Can be cheaper than KTX if you find a good deal

- Includes baggage allowance

Cons:

- Limited flight schedules

- Requires extra time for airport check-in and transfers

- Less flexible compared to trains or buses

Spending a Day in SEVENTEEN Wonwoo’s Hometown, Changwon

KTX to Changwon

Wonwoo Spots We Visited in Changwon

Palryong Middle School & Sahwa Elementary School

Saelleop Chapchap (샐럽찹찹) 

Pingpong Coffee

Other Places to visit in Changwon

Gyeonghwa Station Cherry Blossom Street

Mini Vlog

@annyeongruth A little bit late for the cherry blossom but we got to visit Changwon, Wonwoo’s hometown! 🥰 #kpop #seventeen #세븐틴 #wonwoo #전원우 ♬ 99.9% (WONWOO Solo) - SEVENTEEN

Yongin Daejanggeum Park: A Place That Brings You to Korea’s Historical Past While Staying in the Present

What is Yongin Daejanggeum Park?

Yongin Daejanggeum Park is known as the largest historical drama filming set created by MBC. The park features detailed architectural sets representing different Korean historical periods, allowing visitors to experience what it feels like to step into a real sageuk drama.

According to the VisitKorea, the park includes major facilities such as:

• Dae Jang Geum Memorial Set
• Mangyeongjeon Hall
• Gyujanggak Library
• Donggungjeon Palace
• Inspection Department

Because of its scale and authenticity, many famous dramas and films were shot here, including:

• Jumong
• Lee San, Wind of the Palace
• The Great Queen Seondeok
• Films like The Face Reader and The Treacherous

And more recently, it has also become a filming location for the drama Bon Appetit, Your Majesty.

📍 Address

25 Yongcheon drama-gil, Baegam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do

경기도 용인시 처인구 백암면 용천드라마길 25

⏰ Operating hours

March – October: 09:00 – 18:00

November – February: 09:00 – 17:00

🎟️ Ticket Price (as of Oct. 2025)

Adults: 11,000 KRW

Youth (Elementary, Middle, High School): 9,000 KRW

Children (0–Preschool age): Free

Group Discount (20 people or more)

Adults: 9,000 KRW

Youth: 7,000 KRW

Additional Discounts

Yongin residents, seniors (65+), national merit recipients, and people with disabilities

(1 accompanying guardian gets free entry) → 2,000 KRW discount from the regular price

Important Note

All discounts and free admission are only available when presenting valid ID or proof documents.

Tip: Try to arrive early because the park is very large and you will need enough time to explore.

How to go to Yongin Daejanggeum Park?

From Seoul (Fastest Public Transport):

Step 1:

Go to Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal (Subway Line 3) and take an intercity bus bound for Baekam (백암). One way fare is 5,600 KRW.

Important note:

Baekam is not the first stop of the bus. It is the third stop. Make sure to listen carefully or check your navigation app so you don’t get off at the wrong stop.

Step 2:

From Baekam Terminal, you can:

• Take Bus 105 (limited schedule — roughly every 1 to 2 hours)
• Take a taxi (approximately ₩8,000 to ₩10,000) to the park entrance

Overall, it is quite easy to reach the park. You just need to check the bus schedule properly unless you want to end up waiting for more than an hour like I did… hehe.

Going back to Seoul from the park is also easy. Ride the bus from the park to Baekam, and wait for the bus going to Seoul. This time, you don't need to buy a ticket but you can tap your T-Money card.

Exact Filming Locations of Bon Appetit, Your Majesty in Yongin Daejanggeum Park

The park is definitely huge, and if you don’t know where to go, it might take you a long time to find the exact filming spots. Still, I highly recommend walking around the entire park because it is incredibly beautiful and very cinematic.

The three main filming locations from the drama here are:

Set 15 - Internal Investigation Bureau

I enjoyed my time taking photo at this exact spot because no one is going here. And yes, I'm all alone in this area.

The area between Set 7 - Injeongjeon Hall and Set 4 - Traditional Marketplace

Behind Set 7 - Injeongjeon Hall

Finding these spots was honestly one of the highlights of my visit. There is something very exciting about standing in the exact place where a scene was filmed.

You can also check these photos on my Instagram: @annyeongruth

My Experience Visiting Yongin Daejanggeum Park

As I mentioned earlier, my main reason for visiting was because of the drama. Despite how large the park is, I genuinely enjoyed searching for the filming locations.

Aside from drama filming sites, another interesting fangirl fact is that BTS’ Suga also filmed a music video here. So if you are an Army, this place gives you even more reason to visit.

One thing I appreciated was that there are standees placed around the park indicating which dramas were filmed in specific areas. This makes the experience more interactive and helps visitors understand the historical sets better.

I was unfortunately in a bit of a rush because I had to meet a friend afterward, so I wasn’t able to explore the top-right area of the park. That is definitely something I want to do next time.

Another thing I really liked is that this place felt very introvert-friendly. Since it is located outside Seoul, fewer tourists visit compared to more famous filming locations. I was able to take photos and videos freely without worrying about people photobombing my shots.

Would I visit Yongin Daejanggeum Park Again? Definitely yes.

Next time, I want to explore every corner of the park, recreate more drama scenes, and take better cinematic photos without feeling in a rush to go home.

If you are planning a trip to Korea and want to experience a filming location that combines history, drama culture, and peaceful scenery away from crowded tourist spots, Yongin Daejanggeum Park is truly worth visiting.

Now I Know Why S.Coups Loves This Place

How to Go to Dutum Charcoal Grill (두툼참숯초벌구이)

Why It’s Worth Visiting (Especially for Carats 💎)

The Place Is Full of S.Coups’ Face

The Meat Is So Good (No Wonder He Keeps Coming Back)

The Cold Noodles (Naengmyeon) Changed My Mind

I used to not like naengmyeon, maybe because the first one I tried elsewhere didn’t taste great. But here? It completely changed my mind.

Their mul naengmyeon (물냉면) is so refreshing, slightly tangy, and goes perfectly with the grilled meat. I’m not kidding when I say — I’d go back just for this. It’s that good!

The Owners Are So Kind

A Must-Visit for Carats visiting Daegu

If you’re a Carat traveling to Daegu, or even just passing through on your way between Busan and Seoul, don’t skip Dutum Charcoal Grill.

You’ll get to enjoy delicious food, warm service, and a special connection to S.Coups — all in one place.

Who knows, maybe one day, you’ll visit and find him there too.