Maps of Movies

Ashfall (2019)

Where Ashfall says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

A Seoul disaster film, but the North Korean volcano scenes: only four real locations are on record, and the eruption itself is all CG

Scenes and places

Seoul shakes after the eruption (2019)

Paektu erupts and the shock reaches Seoul. Pandemonium spreads through the city.

Set in Gangnam Station, Seoul — The first earthquakes hit central Seoul after Mount Paektu erupts. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A busy Seoul business district, shown right after the quake.

Filmed at Gangnam Station area, Seoul — The director says the Gangnam Station scenes, under five minutes on screen, were shot over ten separate sessions. Google Maps · Apple Maps

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Finding the spy in a North Korean prison (2019)

In-chang's team lands in the North and finds the man they need. He knows which mine sits closest to the crater.

Set in A North Korean prison — The special forces team tracks down Lee Joon-pyeong, a spy held in a North Korean prison.

A prison inside North Korea; no shooting location is given in the sources.

Ji-young caught in the tsunami (2019)

Alone and pregnant, Ji-young heads out of Seoul. A tsunami cuts across her way, and she has to survive it.

Set in Seoul, on the way to evacuation — Ji-young, In-chang's pregnant wife, runs into a tsunami while trying to leave Seoul.

Seoul's river area, shown here during the evacuation.

Filmed at Jamsu Bridge, Seoul — The article says Jamsu Bridge in central Seoul was closed to traffic for shooting, a first for a Korean film; it does not say which scene. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The base the Americans took over (2019)

Ji-young is rescued and meets Professor Kang. Yoo-kyung steals documents to reach them and, through them, In-chang.

Set in Military base near Seoul — The US military has taken control of a South Korean army base, where the rescued survivors are gathered.

A military base under US control; no shooting location is given in the sources.

Bocheon, near Paektu (2019)

Joon-pyeong finally sees his frightened daughter. The Chinese gangsters want their uranium, and In-chang makes a risky offer.

Set in Bocheon, a town near Paektu Mountain — In-chang and Joon-pyeong slip past the Americans and reach the town where Joon-pyeong's daughter waits.

A town near Mount Paektu on the North Korean side.

Filmed at Saemangeum reclaimed land, Jeollabuk-do — A regional daily says some scenes of the film were shot on the Saemangeum reclaimed land; it does not say which. The coordinate is one representative point of the whole area. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The mine at the foot of Paektu (2019)

With Kang's update on where the last eruption will come, In-chang and Joon-pyeong carry the uranium to the mine. Everything the mission was for comes down to this place.

Set in Abandoned mine near Paektu Mountain — An abandoned mine is where the final eruption is expected.

A disused mine on the slopes of the volcano on the border.

Filmed at Heaven Lake (Cheonji), Mount Paektu — The director says Heaven Lake was really filmed while the eruption is fully CG; the article does not say whether from the Chinese or North Korean side. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Characters

• Jo In-chang — A captain leading a special forces team sent to the North.
• Lee Joon-pyeong — A North Korean army man working as a spy, held in a prison.
• Choi Ji-young — In-chang's pregnant wife, alone in Seoul amid the disaster.

Questions answered on the map

• Where in Seoul was the quake scene of Ashfall really filmed?
• Which Seoul bridge was closed for the first time for a Korean film?
• Was Mount Paektu's crater lake in Ashfall real or CG?