Relive scenes from popular K-dramas like 'Crash Landing On You' (pic) with this list of the most iconic and popular locations in major cities and provinces around South Korea. – Photos: Handouts
Visiting places where your favourite films, TV shows or even music videos were shot in is nothing new, although it probably only became a niche tourism product over a decade ago. These days, there are actual tours that you can join – like The Beatles and Elvis Presley tours in Liverpool (England) and Memphis (Tennessee in the United States), respectively – that will take you to studios, childhood homes and schools, as well as the celebrities’ favourite hangout spots.
Hollywood has its infamous “celebrity tour buses”, where you are taken to see the homes of celebrities who live in the area. Most of the time, you don’t get to stop outside the homes as, obviously, the celebrities don’t like it. But since it isn’t illegal to drive past the buildings really slowly, and some tourists are fine with doing just that, it has remained one of Hollywood’s well-known attractions for years now.
In Japan, anime tourism is a bona fide travel product, one that is fast gaining popularity among anime and manga fans around the world. An anime pilgrimage, as it is more popularly known, sees fans going around Japan searching for real-life spots featured or mentioned in top anime and manga titles.
There is even an official body called the Anime Tourism Association that guides, assists and advises both anime/manga fans and destinations/businesses on anime tourism. The association lists all the places that fans can visit (as well as when to go and how to get there), and helps the businesses promote their products.
All these efforts contribute to the country’s tourism industry, which, incidentally, is improving rapidly after nearly three years of border closures throughout the pandemic.
Meanwhile, in South Korea, the so-called “K-tours” usually focus on famous television series, and music stars like BTS and Blackpink. A BTS tour, for example, will take fans to some of the places that appeared in their music videos. K-drama-themed tours are a lot more elaborate, as some fans like to re-enact their favourite scenes at these spots, even dressing up in outfits similar to that worn in the show.
It really is a big deal, and Korea’s tourism agencies know just how to leverage on this ... well, let’s just call it a trend.
If you’re a K-drama fan here’s a guide to some of the most iconic and popular locations in major cities and provinces around South Korea. These are where you’ll get the chance to re-enact your favourite K-drama scenes, or sit in the same benches your idols and oppas sat on!
Deoksugung Palace stonewall walkway
This pedestrian walkway is located in a historical palace that was built in the 15th century. The walkway is lined with trees and a stonewall, so the best seasons to come are in spring when the flowers bloom, and autumn when the leaves turn colour.
- Featured in: Be;twin, Reflection of You, Youth Of May, Oh My Ladylord, Sisyphus: The Myth, Lovestruck in the City, Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol, More Than Friends, Do You Like Brahms?, Find Me In Your Memory, Goblin
- Address: 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
- How to get there: Take the subway to City Hall Station, and get out at Exit 12. You can see the palace from there so just walk towards it.
N Seoul Tower (Boys Over Flowers)
N Seoul Tower
Also known as the Namsan Tower, this is the second highest point in Seoul, and was a tourist attraction even before it was featured in all the dramas and movies.
- Featured in: Boys Over Flowers, Rooftop Prince Hwayugi, A Korean Odyssey, The Legend of the Blue Sea, My Love From Another Star, Hotel de Luna, Terius Behind Me, Who Are You: School 2015, Dating Agency Cyrano, The Last Empress
- Address: 105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
- How to get there: Take the Namsan Cable Car from Myeongdong or the shuttle bus from Myeongdong Station.
Bukchon Hanok Village
At this village, visitors can find many traditional hanok houses and other cultural references that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. It’s an interesting place to check out even for non-K-drama fans.
- Featured in: Ghost Doctor, My Roommate Is A Gumiho, You Are My Spring, Run On, True Beauty, Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol, Flower of Evil, Hotel del Luna, Touch Your Heart, Twelve Nights, Goblin
- Address: 37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- How to get there: Take the subway to Anguk Station and walk north from Exit 2.
Seoul City Wall (Itaewon Class)
Seoul City Wall
Although not as long or large as the Great Wall Of China, the Seoul City Wall had a similar function – to protect the city from enemy attacks and to act as a boundary. There are eight gates throughout the 18.6km-long wall.
- Featured in: Run On, Do You Like Brahms?, Find Me In Your Memory, Itaewon Class, Love Alarm, I Picked up a Star on the Road, The Smile Has Left Your Eyes, Two Cops, Three Colors of Fantasies III, Criminal Minds
- Address: 622-83 Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- How to get there: Take the subway to Dongdaemun Station and follow the fortress walls up the hill, or go to Hyewha Station and pass through Ihwa Mural Village up the hill towards the fortress walls.
Eungbong Mountain Park
Eungbong is more of a hill than a mountain, as it is only 95.3m at its highest. But from that vantage point, you can get a beautiful view of the Han River and Seoul Forest.
- Featured in: Find Me In Your Memory, Are You Human, Wok of Love, Black Knight, My Secret Romance, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo, We Broke Up, It’s Okay It’s Love
- Address: Eungbong Mountain Park, 271 Eungbong-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
- How to get there: Take bus 421 from Seoul Station or Myeongdong and get off at the Eunbongdong Hyundai Apartment stop. The entrance is opposite this stop.
Gyeongbukgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace
This is the main royal palace built in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty, and a major tourist attraction today.
- Featured in: Traces of Love, When My Love Blooms, Failing In Love, Mother of Mine, Kingdom, Temperature of Love, My Sassy Girl, Chicago Typewriter, Goblin, The Royal Gambler, Queen In-Hyun’s Man
- Address: 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- How to get there: Take the subway to Anguk Station or walk from Gwanghwamun Station.
Pocheon Art Valley
The green lake and cliffs – remnants of a former quarry – make this place a picture-perfect nature attraction.
- Featured in: Melting Me Softly, My First First Love, Hwayugi, Legend Of The Blue Sea, Moon Lovers, Can You Hear My Heart
- Address: 234 Artvalley-ro, Sinbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
- How to get there: You can take a bus from Seoul (a two-and-a-half hour journey). The valley is located in the village of Giji in Pocheon’s Sinbuk Township.
Hantangang Sky Bridge
This is a 200m-long skywalk built across the Hantan River Gorge.
- Featured in: Crash Landing on You, What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim
- Address: 207 Bidulginang-gil, Yeongbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
- How to get there: Take a taxi from Pocheon Intercity Bus Terminal
Forest Of Wisdom (The King)
Forest Of Wisdom
This is a “modern cultural complex”, or a multi-purpose library with over 200,000 books and manuscripts in its collection. You can’t borrow books from this place, though, but it has plenty of comfortable spots for you to spend your whole day reading. You can also eat and drink here.
- Featured in: The World Of The Married, Chicago Typewriter, What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim, The King: Eternal Monarch, Lovestruck In The City, Record Of Youth
- Address: 145, Hoedong-gil, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do
- How to get there: From Hapjeong Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 6), take the Exit 8 to Holt Children’s Centre bus stop. Then take bus #2200 to Eunseokgyo Sageori bus stop, then walk about six minutes to the location.
Yongin Dae Jang Geum Park
This park has been the filming location of choice for many epic dramas and films, and even changed its name from MBC Dramia to its current one after one of South Korea’s most famous TV series, Dae Jang Geum. Visitors who come here get to see the evolution of Korean society through the different dinasties.
- Featured in: The Forbidden Marriage, The Queen’s Umbrella, Alchemy of Souls, The King’s Affection, Tale of the Nine Tailed, The King: Eternal Monarch, The Tale of Nokdu, Extraordinary You, Hotel Del Luna
- Address: 778-1 Yongcheon-ri, Baegam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
- How to get there: Take the shuttle bus #105 at Baekam bus stop for 19 stops, until you reach the MBC bus stop
CHUNGCHEONGBUK-DO
Jungangtap Historic Park
A popular place for locals to hang out during the weekends, this park’s main attraction is a seven-storey pagoda.
- Featured in: Vincenzo, Crash Landing On You, My Strange Hero
- Address: 11 Tappyeong-ri, Gageum-myeon, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
- How to get there: Take a bus from Central City Terminal in Seoul to Chungju Bus Terminal. There are a few buses you can take from the terminal that pass by the park, so just ask an attendant or driver.
Binae Island, Chungju-si
This is an island resort that became trendy after fans recognised it in the very famous show, Crash Landing On You.
- Featured in: Crash Landing on You
- Address: Chungju, Chungbuk
- How to get there: Take bus #360, #361 or #369 from the Chungju Bus Terminal Bus Stop. Alight at the Neungam stop.
CHUNGCHEONGNAM-DO
Onbit Natural Recreation Forest
Touted as one of the hidden gems in the Nonsan area, this is a private property but can still be accessed by the public.
- Featured in: Our Beloved Summer, Love in Contract
- Address: 494, Hwangnyongjae-ro, Nonsan-si
- How to get there: Take a taxi from Nonsan Station to the forest.
Pocheon Art Valley ( A Korean Odyssey)
Jeonju Hanok Village
Another cultural village where you can learn more about traditional Korean culture.
- Featured in: Twenty-Five Twenty-One
- Address: 5-19 Omokdae-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
- How to get there: Take the KTX from Yongsan Station to Jeonju Station. Once there, head to the Dongbu Traditional Market.
Binhaewon
This is actually a Chinese restaurant, the oldest one in Gunsan town.
- Featured in: Crash Landing on You
- Address: 57 Dongnyeong-gil, Jangmi-dong, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do
- How to get there: From Gunsan Express Bus Terminal, walk to the Intercity Bus Terminal. There are plenty of buses you can take that pass by this restaurant, just remember to alight at Jinpo Maritime Theme Park. The restaurant is just a short walk from here.
Boseong Green Tea Field
Boseong is said to be where the country’s best green tea comes from. There are plenty of plantations here that offer daily public tours.
- Featured in: The Legend Of The Blue Sea, The Golden Bride, The Legend, Bride From Hanoi, Summer Scent
- Address: 763-65 Nokcha-ro, Boseong-eup, Boseong, Jeollanam-do
- How to get there: Take the train to Boseong Railway Station (Gyeongjeon Line)
Boseong Green Tea Field (The Legend Of The Blue Sea)
Cacaca On The Shore
This is another restaurant, this time located at a pebble beach.
- Featured in: Nevertheless
- Address: 33-7 Nammyeon-ro 1103 beon-gil, Nammyeon-do, Namhae-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
- How to get there: From Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus to Namhae Public Bus Terminal. It’s a long journey (more than four hours!).
Beomcheong-dong rooftop
This is one location that is strictly for fans of the K-drama Fight For My Way. It’s basically the rooftop of an apartment building – on the way there you will find scenic spots, though.
- Featured in: Fight For My Way
- Address: 42 Eomgwang-ro 495beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan
- How to get there: Take the train from Seoul, then transfer to Busan Metro Line 2 at Gaya Station (Exit 1).
Beomcheong-dong rooftop (Fight For My Way)
Buk Gu, Pohang
This is district is known for its Yonglidae Beach. The beach and its surrounding areas are known for being the locations for popular show, Hometown Cha Cha Cha.
- Featured in: Hometown Cha Cha Cha, When The Camellia BloomsAddress: Cheongha-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
- How to get there: Take a KTX train (Gyeongbu Line) from Seoul Station to Pohang-si station.
Nami Island
Thanks to its close proximity to Seoul, this picturesque island is a top tourist attraction.
- Featured in: Winter SonataAddress: 1 Namisum-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
- How to get there: A shuttle bus from Insadong/Namdaemun or Myeongdong in Seoul brings you directly to the island. You can also take a zipline in Gapyeong that leads to Nami Island.
Jumunjin Beach (Goblin)
Jumunjin Beach
It’s a beautiful beach, but there is a particular stretch here that K-drama fans would be very familiar with.
- Featured in: Racket Boys, More Than Friends, Goblin, Hotel King
- Address: 1609 Haean-ro, Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
- How to get there: Take the intercity bus from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Jumunjin Express Bus Terminal. From there, take bus #300 and get off at Jumunjin Beach.
Daepohang Port Lighthouse
Since this is a working lighthouse, you can’t go inside it but you are free to take as many pictures of it outside.
- Featured in: Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
- Address: Daepohang Port Lighthouse, 785 Daepo-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
- How to get there: Take an intercity bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Sokcho, then take a local bus to Daepohang Port.
Byeolmaro Observatory
This observatory houses South Korea’s largest telescope with a diameter of 80cm.
- Featured in: Crash Landing On You
- Address: 154-3 Yeongheung-ri, Yeongwol-eup, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do
- How to get there: From Yeongwol Bus Terminal take a taxi to Byeolmaro Observatory.
Hallasan Mountain
This is the highest mountain in South Korea, and one that many can hike up to. It is a shield volcano and if you come in the spring time, there foliage around it is simply beautiful.
- Featured in: Crash Landing On You, My Lovely Sam-Soon
- Address: 2070-61, 1100-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
- How to get there: Near the Jeju City Hall, there are two buses (express bus #181 and local bus #281) that will take you directly to the Seongpanak trailhead that leads to Hallasan Mountain.
Mazeland
Mazeland is a giant maze park featuring sculptures and stone carvings, all of which were made from Jeju’s stones.
- Featured in: Legend Of The Blue Sea
- Address: 2134-47, Bijarim-ro, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
- How to get there: Take the bus #260 from the Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal.
Mazeland (The Legend Of The Blue Sea)
