Where is squid games filmed

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Quick Answer: The first season of 'Squid Game' was filmed primarily in South Korea, with production taking place from April to June 2020. Most scenes were shot on soundstages in Seoul and nearby Daejeon, using elaborate sets designed to mimic the show’s surreal environments.

Key Facts

Filming for 'Squid Game' Season 1 occurred from April to June 2020 during the pandemic.
Primary filming locations were soundstages in Seoul and Daejeon, South Korea.
The iconic pink guards’ dormitory was built on a 1,200-square-meter set.
No scenes were filmed outside South Korea despite the show’s global setting.
Production budget for Season 1 was approximately $21 million, a record for a Korean series at the time.

Overview

'Squid Game' is a South Korean survival drama series created by Hwang Dong-hyuk and released on Netflix in September 2021. Despite its international popularity and fictional global context, the entire first season was filmed entirely within South Korea. The production team constructed massive, custom-built sets to bring the dystopian vision of the games to life.

Directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk and produced by Siren Pictures, the filming process was tightly managed due to the pandemic and budget constraints. The production avoided location shoots in favor of controlled studio environments, allowing for greater visual consistency and security. This decision also enabled the team to maintain strict health protocols during 2020.

Principal photography began in April 2020 and wrapped by June 2020, lasting approximately three months despite pandemic challenges.
Most scenes were shot at Studio S in Daejeon, a facility known for hosting large-scale Korean film and TV productions.
The green playground where the games take place was a fully constructed set spanning over 1,500 square meters.
The numbered dormitory rooms and concrete tunnels were built indoors to allow for precise lighting and camera control.
Netflix invested $21 million in Season 1, making it the most expensive Korean series produced at the time of release.

How It Works

The filming process for 'Squid Game' relied heavily on in-studio construction and digital enhancement to create its surreal atmosphere. Rather than using real locations, the production team designed every environment from scratch to match the symbolic tone of the narrative.

Soundstage Filming: All game sequences and interior shots were filmed on soundstages to maintain visual uniformity and narrative control. This allowed for complex lighting setups and safety during the pandemic.
Set Design Scale: The main game arena set measured over 1,500 square meters, with each color-coded area meticulously planned for thematic impact.
Costume Production: Over 300 custom uniforms were made for guards and players, including the now-iconic pink jumpsuits and masked enforcers.
Digital Backdrops: While most scenes were shot indoors, CGI extensions were used to simulate vast underground complexes and endless hallways.
Lighting Techniques: Neon color palettes were achieved through LED lighting rigs, with red, green, and pink dominating key scenes for psychological effect.
Minimal Location Shooting: Only a few exterior city scenes were filmed in downtown Seoul, primarily for establishing shots in Episode 1.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares 'Squid Game’s' filming approach with other high-profile Netflix productions in terms of location, budget, and production scale.

Series	Primary Filming Location	Production Budget (Season 1)	Studio vs. On-Location	Set Size (m²)
Squid Game	Seoul & Daejeon, South Korea	$21 million	95% studio	1,500
Stranger Things	Atlanta, Georgia, USA	$20 million	70% studio	1,200
The Crown	London, UK	$130 million	60% studio	800
Money Heist	Madrid, Spain	$1.5 million	80% studio	1,000
Dark	Berlin, Germany	$25 million	75% studio	900

While 'Squid Game' had a moderate budget compared to Western series, its studio-heavy approach maximized visual impact. The show’s reliance on constructed environments allowed for greater creative control and symbolic storytelling, setting it apart from location-based dramas.

Why It Matters

The filming choices for 'Squid Game' had a significant impact on global perceptions of Korean television and the viability of non-English content on streaming platforms. Its success demonstrated that studio-bound, concept-driven series could achieve worldwide popularity without international shoots.

The show proved that Korean productions could compete globally, leading to a surge in international investment in K-content.
Netflix reported over 111 million views in the first 28 days, setting a new platform record at the time.
The use of symbolic color and architecture influenced set design trends in other dystopian series.
It highlighted the efficiency of closed-set production during global health crises like the pandemic.
The success prompted Netflix to commit $500 million to Korean original content in 2021–2024.
'Squid Game' became a cultural phenomenon, with its sets recreated in exhibits in Seoul, London, and Los Angeles.

Ultimately, 'Squid Game’s' filming strategy demonstrated that compelling storytelling and meticulous design could transcend language and location barriers, reshaping the future of global television production.