Travel guide to your favorite K-Drama filming locations

Every Korean drama lovers’ dream is to meet their Oppa, (ahem..yes, i feel you) or to visit the filming locations of their favorite dramas. Here are some filming locations of K-dramas I visited during my Korea trips.

1. Nami Island 남이섬 종합휴양지

K-drama : Winter Sonata (겨울연가)

One of the most visited places in Korea outside Seoul. It’s definitely a place you shouldn’t miss whether you are K-drama fan or not. Nami Island is a beauty all year round, whatever season it is.

How to get there: from Gapyeong Station, take the Gapyeong tourists bus or taxi to Gapyeong Wharf. Ride the ferry to Nami Island.

Admission Fee: 8,000 won

2. Hanmi Bookstore 한미서점

K-drama : Goblin (도깨비)

Hanmi Bookstore is located in Baedari Used Books Store street in  Incheon. It’s featured in the popular drama Goblin.

Address: 14-4 Geumchang-dong, Dong-gu, Incheon

How to get there: Dowon Station Exit 2, cross the street and walk straight for 500 meters.

Admission Fee: Free

3. Gyeonggijeon Shrine 경기전

K-Drama : Moonlight Drawn by Clouds (구르미 그린 달빛)

Gyeonggijeon Shrine is located in Jeonju Hanok Village, the largest hanok village in Korea as far as I know. When I arrived in Jeonju Hanok Village I felt like I travelled back to Joseon Dynasty.

Address: 44, Taejo-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do

How to get there: From Jeonju Intercity Bus Terminal, take bus 5-1 or 79.
Get off at Jeondong Cathedral (Hanok Village) Bus Stop and walk 20min.

Admission Fee: 3,000 won

4. Jeonjuhyanggyo Confucian School 전주향교

K-Drama : Moonlight Drawn by Clouds (구르미 그린 달빛)

Jeonju Hyanggyo is a Confucian school that was established during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and is designated historical treasure No. 379. This was a national education center during the Joseon period. The school was originally located at the Gyeonggijeon Shrine site, but was relocated in 1603. Information Credit: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr

Address: 139, Hyanggyo-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do

How to get there: From Jeonju Intercity Bus Terminal, take bus 5-1 or 79.
Get off at Jeondong Cathedral (Hanok Village) Bus Stop and walk 20min.

Admission Fee: Free

5. Dongbaek Island 동백공원

K-Drama : Shopping King Louie (쇼핑왕 루이)

Dongbaek Island is an island in Busan where you can see both Haeundae beach and Gwangalli Beach. It is also the place where the Nurimaru APEC House is located.

Address: U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan

How to get there: Take Line 2 to Dongbaek Station (Busan Subway) Exit 1 and walk for 700meters.

Admission Fee: Free

6. Gwangalli Beach 광안리해수욕장

K-Drama : Shopping King Louie  (쇼핑왕 루이)

Gwangalli Beach is my favorite place in Busan. The area is filled with restaurants, cafes and entertainment. Many people come at night to witness the bright lights of Gwangan Bridge.

Address: 219, Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan

How to get there: Gwangan Station Exit 5, walk straight towards the beach area.

Admission Fee: Free

7. Edelweiss Swiss Theme Park 에델바이스 테마파크

K-Drama : Remember – War of the Sons (리멤버 – 아들의 전쟁)

Edelweiss Swiss Theme Park is in Gapyeong, where the popular places like Nami Island and Petite France is also located. Not many people know about this place maybe because it is not accessible as other tourists destinations. But they offer free shuttle service during weekends and holidays.

Address: 226-57 Darakjae-ro, Seorak-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do,

How to get there: Take free shuttle bus from Cheongpyeong Station Exit 2 during weekends and holidays. Shuttle bus time: From Cheongpyeong Station: 9:30 / 11:00 / 13:00 / 15:00 ; From Edelweiss : 10:10 / 12:00 / 14:00 / 17:30

Admission Fee: 10, 000 won

8. Cafe & Guesthouse Bomnal 카페 & 게스트하우스 봄날

K-Drama : Warm and Cozy (맨도롱 또똣)

Cafe and Guesthouse Bomnal is located in front of the Handam Beach in Aewol-eup, Jeju.

Address: 25 Aewollo 1(il)-gil, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do

How to get there: From Jeju Intercity Bus terminal take bus line Seo-Ilju and get off at Handam-dong

9. Gyeonggi English Village Paju Camp 경기영어마을 파주캠프

K-Drama : Tomorrow With You (내일 그대와)

There are other English Villages in South Korea but I think one of the biggest is the Paju Camp in Gyeonggi-do. Their main goal is to promote English learning to create global Koreans.

Address: 40 Eoreumsil-ro, Tanhyeon-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do

How to get there: Take bus #200 at Hapjeong Station Exit 2 and get off at English Village bus stop.

Admission Fee: 3,000 won (weekdays) ; 5,000 won (weekends)

10. Windy Hill 바람의 언덕

K-drama : Introverted Boss (내성적인 보스)

A growing number visitors come to the place after it was used a filming site for popular Korean dramas such as Eve’s Garden (2003, SBS) and Merry- Go-Round (2004, MBC). The name “Windy Hill” was given by those who visited the island and became a fan. Walking toward the hill along the wooden promenade from the wharf, one can see Hakdong Village from a distance. Info Credits: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr

Address: Nambu-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

How to get there: From Express Bus Terminal in Seoul, take an express bus bound for Gohyeon Bus Terminal. Take a taxi to the Windy Hill (25.4 km/ around 45 min)

Admission Fee: Free

11. Hakdong Mongdol Beach 학동몽돌해변

K-drama : Introverted Boss (내성적인 보스)

Hakdong Mongdol Beach or the Black Pebble beach is located in Geoje. Find out more about the Black Pebble beach in my previous post here.

Address: 18-1, Hakdong 6-gil, Dongbu-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

How to get there: From Geojae Bus Terminal, take bus 56, 67 towards Hakdong Pebble Beach.

Admission Fee: Free

There you go! Those were just some Korean Drama filming locations I visited outside Seoul. If you need more information, please comment below. I’d be glad to help you achieve your dream trip to Korea.

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Essential tips for your South Korea trip

South Korea is now one of the most popular destinations in Asia. Some people say that the country is getting popular because K-pop and Korean dramas are now being recognized around the world. But for me there’s so much more about Korea, you just have to explore it.

Since your reading this, i bet you are planning to visit Korea anytime soon. So here’s some travel tips on how to enjoy your trip to Korea, as much i always do, and how to travel like a local.

DIY (Do-It-Yourself)

Don’t join group or package tours. Explore and don’t be afraid of getting lost. You’ll discover a lot of things about the place and about yourself.

My very first solo travel happened in autumn of 2014 in Seoul. It wasn’t planned, it’s just that my friend’s visa got denied so I ended up travelling alone. I was scared at first since it was my first time, but then learned that travelling alone is one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done.

Research and plan well

There are so many places to visit in Korea. It would be easier for you to roam around when you know where to go and how to get there. It will save you a lot of time and you can visit as many places as you can. Before going to Korea, I always prepare a detailed itinerary so I can also budget my trip. If you want to know about the places you want to visit, check out the official site of the Korea Tourism Organization.

Go out early and stay out late

I usually go out as early as 6am or 7am especially if I’m going to far places and stay out until 10pm to maximize the time.

Meet the Locals

Most Koreans cannot speak English. But that doesn’t stop them from being so welcoming and helpful to people especially to tourists.

Koreans, I should say, love the Filipinos. Something to do about history. I’ve experience it myself during my first trip. There’s this Ahjumma in the subway, while waiting for the train, she smiled at me and asked me if I’m from Malaysia. When I said I’m from the Philippines, I was surprised by her reaction. She seemed so happy to meet me and told me that Korea and Philippines have good relationship and we had a really good conversation. When I got on the train, there’s an old couple who also asked me if I’m from the Philippines and started talking to me in Korean and unfortunately we didn’t understand each other. That’s when I decided to learn Hanguel. That was probably one reason why I got so attached to this country.

Wear comfortable shoes

Trust me about this one. It doesn’t matter what your OOTD is but if you really want to explore Korea, wear comfortable shoes. You’ll do a lot of walking, I’m pretty sure about that.

Remember this things and I’m sure you’d want to come back to Korea right after your trip. What fascinates me most is their deep history and rich culture. I’ve been to Korea 5 times already and now I’m planning for my next trip. So, let’s go and explore Korea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day trip to Geoje and Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do

My 5th trip to Korea happens to be my 2nd spring trip. And I finally made it to the cities of Geoje and Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province. I always wanted to visit these places because I’ve seen some wonderful places in Korean Dramas.

First place I visited was Oedo Botania

Oedo-Botania (외도 보타니아-해상관광농원)

Originally, my plan was Jangsado Sea Park but i ended up visiting Oedo Botania. NO regrets at all. Oedo is one of the most beautiful gardens I’ve seen in South Korea. And since it’s spring, the flowers are in full bloom which made the island a magical and breathtaking view.

If you still remember the drama Winter Sonata, it was the shooting location of the last part of the drama.

Going to the island is not that easy if you get dizzy when riding a ferry. But don’t worry, it’s just around 40mins ferry ride from the Haegeumgang. It is recommended to book a ferry ticket in advance.

Hakdong Mongdol Beach (학동몽돌해변)

After having lunch, I dropped by Hakdong Mongdol Beach or the Black Pebble Beach.

I’m from the Philippines and I’m used to seeing beautiful beaches in our country but what makes this beach in Geoje unique is that it has no sand, there are only smooth and rounded pebbles. 

If you are a Korean Drama fan, you probably saw this beach in the last episode of Introverted Boss.

Another shooting location of Introverted Boss and other dramas such as Eve’s Garden and Merry-go-Round, is the Windy Hill.

Windy Hill (바람의 언덕)

The last stop of day was Tongyeong. Have you heard of the Great Admiral Yi Sun Shin? He is one of the best Naval commanders in Korea, and you probably saw his statues in Seoul and Busan and other places like Jinhae. I don’t know much about the history of Admiral Yi Sun Shin but I’ve watched the movie The Admiral: Roaring Currents. In the movie, they fought and won the battle against over 200 Japanese ships with only 12 ships under his command, including the Turtle Ship.

I’ve found replicas of the Turtle ships in Tongyeong. 

And the 2nd day of my spring 2017 ended in Tongyeong. I would love to go back some other time to try some yummy seafoods. Yes, Tongyeong is famous for its seafoods.