[HanCinema's Korea Joa] Namsan Tower

Namsan Tower, officially named the "N Seoul Tower", is one of the quintessential romantic spots found in Korean film and drama, and is also a tourist attraction for Koreans and international visitors alike. The communication and observation tower is famous for it's night glow, the "Locks of Love", and the spectacular cityscape view that is lovely during the day and mesmerizing at night.

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Korea Joa 2015 visited Namsan Tower October 5, 2015. Rather than take the Namsan Cable Car up to the tower (which you may have seen in dramas like "Oh My Ghostess"), the bus parked at the bottom and we trekked up the steep side of Mt. Namsan to the the base of the tower. The view on either side of the road is breathtaking. Seoul peeks back through the leaves of the trees lining the road up to the tower. At the end of the long climb, Namsan tower is on one's left, tall, beautiful, and imposing, and the view of the city is on the right. Straight ahead lies Palgakjeong, the octagonal gazebo that sits quietly amongst a stand of trees. Despite the crowd that surrounded the Korea Joa 2015 members, the beauty of the area is awe-inspiring. There is most definitely a reason this place is so famous.

Namsan Tower, the highest point in Seoul, was originally "Seoul Tower", built in 1969. In 2005 it received a makeover that make it the colorful light wonder it is today. The facility officially opened to the public in 1980 and has been popular ever since. The walk towards the tower invites a feeling of anticipation, especially when there is a crowd to sift through. The fences and trees covered in locks are visible immediately and the sheer number of them is overwhelming. Couples dot the boardwalk taking selfies and hanging locks. Friends look out at the awesome view. The KJ members did the same. How could we not?

After sometime gazing over Seoul, we entered the tower to eat at "The Place Dining", the terrace Italian restaurant. Our seats allowed for a view of the city and the food was delicious: we had risotto and prosciutto pasta that was simply, yet precisely, flavored. After the meal we took the elevator up to the observatory, which was on the third floor with the "The BA:NG" gift shop, a "Weenybeeny", and "N Photo". By this time, the sun had sunk behind the horizon and Seoul was left under a dark night sky. The view from the observatory was littered with city lights that climbed up and down the hills of Seoul. The gift shop offered a post card service, and the Korea Joa members decided to write postcards to each other so we could remember our time in Korea once we returned to our respective countries all over the world. I have since received mine and it is a memory I treasure. Such things may seem tawdry, but in the end, they carry so much meaning.

The lines for the elevator back town were quite long, but there were royal garments on display for the "N Photo" shop that could be photographed and inspected while waiting. When walking out of the tower at night, the site of the glowing tower is indeed beautiful. A busking violinist waited outside playing theme songs from dramas that had been filmed there such as "My Love from the Star". Other dramas and films shot here include "D-Day", "Descendants of Hong Gil-dong", "Boys over Flowers", several episodes of "Running Man", and "Marry Him If You Dare".

Namsan is definitely a place worth visiting multiple times at different times of day. Should you be in Seoul, please check out the entrance fees, bus routes, and times of the tower at the Visit Korea website.

You can find all of our Korea Joa 2015 coverage on this page.

Written by: Raine from 'Raine's Dichotomy'