Angela
Cassandra NervaWith the ever-growing popularity of K-dramas, it’s no wonder that a K-drama tour is on every fan’s bucket list! Otherwise known as an itinerary based on a fan’s favourite K-drama filming locations, these destinations are great if you’d like to set foot right where your favourite stars have been.
On that note, here are just some of South Korea’s most popular filming locations to recreate your own K-drama!
Also read: 12 Sweet Korean Terms of Endearment That K-Dramas Taught Us
1. N Seoul Tower (Boys Over Flowers, Rooftop Prince)
N Seoul Tower offers a panoramic landscape of Seoul and its surrounding cities. | Image credit: Aleksandar Pasaric
You don’t need to be a K-drama fan to recognise this tall and pointy tower: N Seoul Tower (aka Namsan Tower) stands at 237m atop Namsan Mountain.
Luckily, instead of climbing up the mountain, a cable car service takes you directly to the entrance of the tower. Both the tower and the cable car are a familiar backdrop in many K-dramas.
Its majestic tower and stunning views have claimed so many hearts of both locals and tourists that it has become known as the best tower in Asia. | Image credit: Yohan Cho
This K-drama filming location is perhaps most associated with Boys Over Flowers! It’s where Goo Jun Pyo and Geum Jan Di had their first bitterly cold date together.
The awkwardly romantic date ended when both of them were trapped in the cable car, forced to stay the night.
In the last episode of Rooftop Prince, Namsan Park is where the REAL Yong Tae Yong (Park Yoo Chun) finally met Park Ha (Han Ji Min).
Lee Gak (Park Yoo Chun) and Hong Se Na (Jeong Yu Mi) also went to Namsan Tower on their first “date”.
Also read: 30 Fun Things to Do in Seoul on Your Very First Visit
2. Gwanghwamun (Queen In Hyun’s Man, Iris)
Gwanghwamun Plaza is a 600-year-old historic city that features King Sejong the Great and Admiral Yi Sun-Shin.
Image credit: Heartywizard
Image credit: el_ave
Over the years, Gwanghwamun and Gwanghwamun Plaza have been popular K-drama filming locations of various genres — from action to fantasy.
One of the most memorable scenes from Iris is the face-off scene when Hyun-jun (Lee Byung Hun), Sun-hwa (Kim So-yeon), and Seung-hee (Kim Tae Hee) tried to stop the North Korean terrorist from setting off a nuclear bomb.
This still frame released prior to Queen and I‘s premiere showed a romantic kiss shared by scholar Kim Beung Do (Ji Hyun Woo) — who transcended space and time to modern-day Korea — and struggling actress Kim Hee Jin (Yoo In Na).
That being said, besides the picturesque marketing stills released by the media, the show itself also captured some of Gwanghwamun Plaza’s wondrous attractions!
3. Korean Folk Village (The Moon That Embraces The Sun, Sungkyunkwon Scandal)
Image credit: cotaro70s
Korean Folk Village is the closest resemblance to life during the Joseon Dynasty, i.e. the last dynasty of Korea. The customs and lifestyle have been carefully preserved to reminisce the late Dynasty, including traditional houses and household goods.
Because of its conscious preservation, Korean Folk Village became an ideal filming location for many of Korea’s popular period dramas.
The Moon That Embraces The Sun
Sungkyunkwon Scandal
4. Sogeumsan Suspension Bridge (It’s Okay Not to Be Okay)
Image credit: 나성희
5. Petite France (Secret Garden, Beethoven Virus)
Inspired by the story of “The Little Prince”, the colourful and quaint landscape of Petite France exudes a quiet charm from every corner, making you feel as if you’ve been transported to the tranquil villages of France.
Image credit: .angels.
Fun fact: Petite France is actually a French-style theme park of galleries and performances, making for a perfect day trip! Once you’re here, walk down the cobblestone streets and bask in the picture-perfect sight of vibrant houses.
Petite France has been gaining in popularity as a K-drama filming location! | Image credit: Sheikh Izham
Petite France is also known as the K-drama filming location of Secret Garden! Fans first see it when Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin) met Gil Ra Im (Ha Ji Won) — who acted as a stuntwoman — and became immediately attracted to her.
Also, in Beethoven Virus, Du Ru-mi (Lee Ji Ah) and Kang Gun-woo (Jang Geun Seok) share their first kiss in this romantic village.
6. Byeokchoji Culture Arboretum (49 Days, You’re Beautiful)
Image credit: 벽초지수목원 Official Facebook Page
Marvel at the acres of colourful blooming flowers in Byeokchoji Culture Arboretum located in Gyeonggi-do. This popular K-drama filming location is also an important habitat that preserves the diversity of plant species from Korea and abroad.
Image credit: 벽초지수목원 Official Facebook Page
This K-drama filming location was featured in 49 Days when Song Yi Soo (Jung Il Woo) spoke to Shin Ji Hyun (Nam Gyu Ri) about her second chance in life.
In the first episode of You’re Beautiful, novice Nun XXX (Park Shin Hye) cleaned the Greek statues of Byeokchoji Culture Arboretum and descended from the sky.
Also read: 8 Reasons Why Travellers Keep Going Back to South Korea
Hopefully, this list has given you some inspiration of where to go when the borders to South Korea reopen!
On that note, we’re simply scratching the surface of just some of the most popular K-drama filming locations. Are there any filming locations in Korea that you’d like to add to this list? Share it in the comments section below!
