The Iksan Prison Set: A Closed School Turned into a Movie Prison

Why Did Seongdang Elementary School’s Namseong Branch Become a Prison?

The Iksan Prison Set was built on the former site of Namseong Branch of Seongdang Elementary School in Wacho-ri, Seongdang-myeon, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk State. The prison’s main gate also uses the site of the former Namseong Branch entrance, showing how a place that was once a school was transformed into the entrance to a detention facility in films.

At first, the site was not open to the general public and was used only as a filming set, but it opened to visitors after the 2013 film A Gift from Room 7 was released. Iksan City’s official website introduces it as the country’s only prison set and states that more than 200,000 people visit annually.

A Filming Location Continuing from the 2005 Film Holiday

According to the Korea Tourism Organization, filming began with the 2005 film Holiday. Later productions filmed here included A Gift from Room 7, Along with the Gods, and the dramas Through the Darkness and The Penthouse.

The number of productions filmed here varies by source. Iksan City’s official website says that more than 230 films and dramas have been filmed here, while a Korea Tourism Organization article mentions around 300 dramas and films. Visitors cannot enter on filming days, so to avoid arriving to find the film set closed, it is safest to call 063-859-3836 before visiting to confirm whether it is operating.

Enter from 09:00 to 18:00 from March through October

During the summer season, from March through October, visiting hours are 09:00–18:00. During the winter season, from November through February, they are 09:00–17:00. Entry is allowed until 30 minutes before closing, making 17:30 the effective last admission time in summer and 16:30 in winter.

The site is closed every Monday and on filming days. Admission is free, and the official fee table also includes a “cash” category. Prison uniforms cost 2,000 won per day for regular adults and 1,000 won for Iksan residents. Patriots, independence activists, veterans, democratic merit recipients, people with disabilities, seniors aged 65 or older, benefit recipients, multicultural families, people under 19, households with multiple children, outstanding volunteers, and pregnant women are eligible for free use.

How to Travel from Iksan Station and the Terminals to Seongdang-myeon

If departing from Seoul, Iksan City states that KTX trains take about 1 hour 30 minutes from Yongsan Station to Iksan Station, while Saemaeul-ho and Mugunghwa-ho trains take about 3 hours. However, these times cover only the rail journey to Iksan Station and do not include travel from Iksan Station to the set at 207 Hamnang-ro, Seongdang-myeon.

Foreign visitors traveling by bus can choose routes from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal or Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal to Iksan Intercity Bus Terminal, or from Central City Terminal to Iksan Express Bus Terminal. Local city bus routes listed near the facility include numbers 33, 5420, 5421, and 5430, but the official information does not specify stop names, alighting locations, walking distances, or service intervals.

For drivers, the official route lists Yeonmu IC and Provincial Roads 68, 23, 711, 723, and 724. When entering the address into a navigation system, use “207 Hamnang-ro, Seongdang-myeon, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk State” exactly as written.

Eight-Person Rooms, Solitary Cells, and Interrogation Rooms Behind the Main Gate

The interior of the set recreates layouts similar to those of a real prison, including eight-person cells, solitary cells, and interrogation rooms. At the detention-center set, visitors can look around spaces beyond the bars, and the Korea Tourism Organization says that visitors can try on prison uniforms and experience a solitary cell. Visitors have also been recorded changing into prison or prison-guard uniforms and experiencing the detention-center set.

The visitor route also includes spaces corresponding to a visitation room, corrections headquarters, and a small courtroom. The visitation room recreates conversations through a glass window, while Iksan City’s official information separately lists a mock courtroom staging an actual trial scene and an observatory overlooking the set.

Do Not Miss the Confession Wall and Angel Wings

On the wall to the left of the entrance is a barbed-wire structure bearing the words “Confession Wall,” with model handcuffs hanging densely from it. Nearby, there is also a photo zone featuring a heart shape made from padlocks. The exterior wall of the set bears the phrase “Establishing Law and Order,” while the walls around the lawn bear the phrases “Cultivating Morality” and “Establishing Law and Order.”

The “Angel Wings” painting on one wall of the set is known as a place for taking photos and was also a filming location for season 2 of the American drama Sense8. A Korea Tourism Organization article records that the mural covering the entire wall was erased during filming, while the angel-wing painting remained.

Parking, the Lawn Plaza, and Practical Information for Visitors

There is a visitor parking lot, and Iksan City’s official page describes it as having “ample parking space.” The parking fee and number of spaces have not been confirmed. A 2025 review reported that the parking lot was not crowded even on a weekend, but this does not guarantee conditions on filming or event days.

One review mentioned that the full visit took about 40 minutes. The facility map marks the main gate, parking lot, mock courtroom, observatory, lawn plaza, detention-center set, visitation room, prison set, and rest area, so even during a short visit it is advisable to see the indoor sets and outdoor spaces separately.

A review of a summer visit in 2025 recommended a cooler season because of the intense heat. All areas are nonsmoking zones, and dogs must wear a leash and a manners belt. When bringing a dog indoors, a carrier or dog stroller is required, and entry may be restricted if the dog barks excessively or is highly aggressive.

Save the Address, Phone Number, and Official Website Before Departure

The address is 207 Hamnang-ro, Seongdang-myeon, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk State, and the main telephone number is 063-859-3836. The official website is https://www.iksan.go.kr/strange. Operating hours are 09:00–18:00 from March through October and 09:00–17:00 from November through February. The site is closed every Monday and on filming days.

The official information does not confirm which areas are actually accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, details about slopes and stairs, the availability of English information or audio guides, or whether photography is prohibited. Travelers who require accessibility support should therefore inquire by phone in advance and plan around a schedule that avoids Mondays, considering the possibility of closure for filming.

Along with a 2025 review noting that tourist attractions in Iksan are spread apart, some visitors recommended taking a city tour. However, information about city-tour service to the set and stop locations is not included here, so after arriving at Iksan Station or a bus terminal, you will need to decide on the final mode of transportation using the address and telephone number.