Hot K-drama Spots

Jul 8

Raise your happiness index by taking a trip to K-drama Land. Summon your inner fan. Step into the world of your favourite dramas’ picturesque filming locations. It just might be the mental health booster you need after being grounded for over two years.

If you’re a K-drama buff like me, chances are you’ve dreamt of going on a pilgrimage to your Hallyu stars’ universe. Here’s a short list of filming locations in South Korea, just enough for you to play out the scenes of your favourite dramas to spark joy to your holiday.

SEOUL

An iconic crowd-pleaser that stands at 237 metres from the ground. The Lock of Love platform (where hundreds of couples’ padlocks are latched on the fence) is a popular dating spot, especially after sundown when it is illuminated in multi-coloured digital art. Other charming attractions: a 360-degree observatory deck, cable car, a roof terrace, the famed HanCook and the n.Grill restaurants (both with breathtaking views of the city especially at night), gift shops, Hello Kitty World, and the Namsan Park. Location: Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu

Deoksugung Palace Stonewall Walkway

Scenes from: My Liberation Notes, It’s Beautiful Now, Sh**ting Stars, Goblin, Run On, Lovestruck In The City, One Spring Night, My Love From The Star, Taxi Driver, Do You Like Brahms, Reflection Of You, Find Me In Your Memory, Misaeng, The Beauty Inside, Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol, My Unfamiliar Family, Personal Taste, She Would Never Know, More Than Friends (Image: koreandramaland.com)

An eclectic mix of urban space and historical motifs wrapped in lush natural flora and fauna surrounds this charming pedestrian walkway. Just imagine holding hands with Ji Chang-wook, or whispering sweet nothings with Gong Yoo, or going all gooey with Siwan. Visit in autumn when dazing golden foliage engulfs the area. Location: Sejongdaero, Jung-gu

**Gyeongui Line Forest Park**
Scenes from: Record Of Youth, Lovestruck In The City, Goblin, I'm Not A Robot, Do Do Sol Sol La La Soll, Her Private Life, More Than Friends, Love Revolution, My First First Love, Because This Is My First Life, Drunk In Good Taste, The Sound of Your Heart, Reunited Worlds (Image: travelcoffeehot.com)

A must on your list if you love literature, quaint cafes and nature. The hip al fresco urban space built above the ground of the 100-year-old Gyeongui railway line is bursting with natural greenery and art installations, perfect for leisure strolls, picnics and people watching. Location: Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu

Seoul Fortress Walls

Scenes from: Run On, Itaewon Class, Criminal Minds Korea, Love Alarm, I Picked Up A Star On The Road, Three Colours Of Fantasies III, The Smile Has Left Your Eyes, Find Me In Your Memory, Two Cops, Do You Like Brahms (Image: onedayKorea)

An 18.6-km stretch past numerous familiar filming sites (including Namsan Tower), this ancient Fortress Walls spiced up love scenes in many dramas. The elevated walking paths show an overview of the city. The most vantage point to see the Fortress Walls is on the stretch between Naksan Park and the Seoul City Fortress Wall Museum in Dongdaemun. Location: Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu

Gwanghwamun Square

Scenes from: The Devil Judge, Memories Of Alhambra, The King: Eternal Monarch, The Last Empress, One Spring Night, Twelve Nights, Radio Romance, The Great Show, City Hunter, A Piece of Your Mind (Image:Trip.com)

Just outside the 600-year-old Gyeongbokgung Palace, the square is famed for its enormous space packed with open-air markets, museums, and imposing historical monuments (like the imploring statue of King Sejong The Great). Fans of The King: Eternal Monarch can recreate that iconic shot of Lee Min Ho on his white horse meeting Kim Go-Eun on the Square. Location: Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu

**Cheonggyecheon Stream**
Scenes from: Vincenzo, Flower Of Evil, True Beauty, Lovestruck In The City, My Mister, Find Me In Your Memory, My Golden Life, 49 Days, Clean With Passion For Now, Live Up To Your Name, My Fellow Citizens, Suits, Lovers In Prague, Do You Like Brahms, You Raise Me Up, Chicago Typewriter (Images: visitseoul.net)

Patterned after pre-modern Korean bojagi design (colourful wrapping cloths) to showcase traditional stonework craftsmanship. There are 22 bridges around Cheonggyecheon Stream. Take your pick for a romantic stroll, most stunning at night when the lights are on. Location: Changsin-dong, Jung-gu

Bukchon Hanok Village

Scenes from: Ghost Doctor, Flower Of Evil, You Are My Spring, Run On, True Beauty, Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol, My Roommate Is A Gumiho, Hotel del Luna, Touch Your Heart, Twelve Nights, Goblin, The Heirs (Image: sepavo/travelviu.com)

It sits on top of a hill between Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palace and Jongmyo Royal Shrine. The well-preserved traditional Korean village has many alleys, charming architecture and quaint corners that depict its rich 600-year-old history. Location: Jongno-gu

JEJU ISLAND

Scenes from: Our Blues, Crash Landing On You, Something In The Rain, Warm And Cozy, My Lovely Sam-soon, Boys Over Flowers, Legend Of The Blue Sea, Secret Garden, Princess Hours, Jewel In The Palace, The Spies Who Loved Me (Images: visitjeju.net)

Perhaps there’s no other place in kimchi country that’s been featured more frequently (next to Seoul) than Jeju Island. It boasts endless coastal and hinterland views. A day trip won’t be enough to soak in Jeju's sweeping vistas, serene atmosphere and local delights. Check out these popular spots:

Hallasan National Park is perfect for those who love the outdoors. It has several hiking trails inside the park surrounded by the mountain crater’s lake, and ascending and descending paths bordered with flourishing vistas before reaching the summit of Mount Hallasan, the highest point in S Korea.

Seopjikoji Lighthouse (Wishing Lighthouse) is breathtaking, with rocky cliffs sharply jutting out into the blue sea, gently rising greenfields and rustic stonewalls. Pick a spot to enjoy sunrise or sunset while downing some soju and dried squid.

Jeju Folk Village will take you back to the 1800s. Its over 40-acre land contains 117 structures – including fishing huts, shaman houses and a range of artefacts on display – to replicate a bygone era. You can dress up in traditional hanbok, take part in workshops and be entertained by cultural performances.

Jeju Teddy Bear Museum has a huge collection of teddy bears from all over the world. It features historic moments, art masterpieces and famous personalities in the form of teddy bears. Spend a few stimulating hours learning about Korean culture (don’t miss the hanbok-clad animatronic bears). You can hug a bear or two in the outdoor garden.

AND BEYOND

Jumunjin Beach Breakwater

Scenes from: Goblin, More Than Friends, Hotel King, Racket Boys, BTS ‘Spring Day’ video (Images: soompi.com / HaB Korea.net)

It is a gorgeous coastal spot that is famed for its fine sand and azure waters with eating places around it. There are at least five breakwaters in the area. Look for that breakwater scene where Ji Eun-Tak (Kim Go-eun) first meets the Goblin Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) on her birthday. To mimic this scene, you can rent the red scarf and buckwheat flowers from on-site props rental service.

Another crowd drawer: a bus stop near Jumunjin Beach that was the setting of BTS’s “Spring Day” music video as well as the image on the cover of BTS’s You Never Walk Alone album (2017). That bus stop is no longer there, but it has been recreated to cater to BTS fans. It has been reported to be the first destination BTS fans want to visit in S Korea. To get there from Seoul: by train 3.5 hrs, by bus 3-4 hrs, or by car 2 hrs. Location: Gangneung, Gangwon Province

Forest of Wisdom

Scenes from: It's Okay Not To Be Okay, A Sh***ting Stars, From Now On Showtime, Young Lady and A Gentleman, The Devil Judge, The King: Eternal Monarch, Romance is a Bonus Book, Lovestruck In The City, Record Of Youth, The World Of The Married, Find Me In Your Memory, Hotel del Luna, Search: WWW, What Is Wrong With Secretary Kim, I'm Not A Robot, She Was Pretty, Come Back Mister, More Than Friends, Love Revolution, Chicago Typewriter, Imitation, Memorist, Cheat On Me (Image: koreatourinformation.com)

The massive 3-storey library’s wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling structure is filled with over 200,000 books. Get comfy in its hushed interiors while enjoying a book and a cuppa. Located just a few kilometres from DMZ (demilitarised military zone), Forest of Wisdom is just one of the many book-related structures in the area so check out its surroundings. It’s roughly a 25-30 minutes drive from Seoul. Location: Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do

Ahopsan Forest

Scenes from: River Where The Moon Rises, Memories Of The Sword, The King: Eternal Monarch, Kudo: Age Of The Rampant, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, The Emperor Owner Of The Mask, My Sassy Girl, 100 Days My Prince, The King In Love, Jackpot, The Tiger: Old Hunter’s Tale (Image: TVN koreandramaland.com)

The mystical centuries-old bamboo forest landmark in Busan comprises nine mountains sitting on an enormous 520-sq-mtr land (although not all forests are accessible to the public). Besides bamboo, majestic trees such as the Red Pine, Hinoki Cypress and Oak are magnificently thriving. Location: Midong-gil, Cheolma-myeon, Gijang-gun, Busan

Jeonju (not to be mistaken for Jeju)

Scenes from: Twenty-Five Twenty-One, The Red Sleeve, The King’s Affection, Our Beloved Summer, My Roommate Is A Gumiho, Love In The Moonlight, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Princess Hours (Images: koreatraveleasy.com)

This coastal isle’s main draws are its serene waterfalls, lava tubes, and striking rock formations. But for K-drama fans and honeymooners, it’s the tingling romantic allure that pulls them in. Besides its lush hiking trails, Jeonju offers a hefty dose of romance, culture and adventure. Don’t miss Hanok Village, Jeonju Hyanggyo, Hanbyukgul Tunnel, Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road, Nambu Market, Deokjin Park, Jaman Mural Village, Gyeonggijeon Shrine and the Royal Portrait Museum.

Namiseom (Nami) Island

Scenes from: When My Love Blooms, Hi Bye Mama, Winter Sonata, High School King Of Savvy, My Love from the Star, Secret Garden, Running Man, Mother of Mine, Mother, Rosy Lovers (Image: visitkorea.or.kr)

The half-moon shaped Nami island is dotted with breathtaking tree lanes, serene gardens, woodlands and riverside walking / biking paths often appearing in romantic dramas. Its picture-perfect landscapes’ seasonal changes make it a dream holiday anytime of the year. To get there: by car or taxi 24 mins, by train 1 hr 11 mins. Location: Gapyeong, Gyeonggido

Last but not the least, satiate your appetite for more filming locations: 14 Coffee Shops and Cafes in K-dramas

Debbie| ws

Debbie Reyes-Coloma