Sora
I’m probably not alone when I say that we all come to Kdramas for the drama and we stay for the breathtaking scenes that literally imprint themselves in our mind.
Many of these scenes take place in atmospheric locations that make the experience all the more magical.
Luckily, many iconic scenes from your favorite Kdramas are shot at locations that are easily accessible, and if you’re planning a trip to South Korea, they’re a must-visit.
Here are 8 of the best Korean drama filming locations you should visit now:
1. Bukchon Hanok Village
A traditional South Korean home is called a “hanok”, and this village nestled in Seoul is perfect if you want to take a step back in time.
I know this might sound incredibly cliché, but there are so many streets in this village lined with everything from shrines to museums and even cultural centres, and it really does feel like a blast from the past.
For the Kdrama OGs, you probably already know where I’m going, but I’ll say it – Park Gae In’s house, which was pretty much another character in Personal Taste, is called Sanggojae and it’s located in this village that houses lots of other similar buildings.
And, in The Heirs, a high-school Kdrama, there’s a scene where Kim Tan (played by Lee Min Ho) tracks down Eun Sang (Kim Go Eun) to a dream-catcher shop and even takes one (this item had a lotttttttt of screentime) – this scene was actually shot in a shop in this village.
2. Taean-gun
I know we all agreed to be as delulu as possible for our collective happiness so this next one might be a little disappointing, but it needs to be said.
If you’ve watched Crash Landing On You – starring the very beautiful Son Ye Jin and eternal dreamboat Hyun Bin – you might have assumed the village that started it all was actually north of the demilitarized zone.
But, it’s actually Taean, a village known for hosting the Korean annual flower festival and it’s genuinely the most beautiful place for friends and lovers to walk through.
3. Sinchon Grafitti Tunnel
If you know me in real life or on Twitter (two very different personalities for the curious), then you know I can absolutely never shut up about Goblin: The Lonely & Great God.
It’s an all-time fave that always, always makes me laugh, cry, and squeal, so I don’t hesitate to persuade (read as: bully) everyone around me to give it a chance.
There’s a scene in episode 10 of Goblin where the goblin (Gong Yoo) and the grim reaper (Lee Dong Wook) pull off the coolest, dramatic, and utterly hilarious walking montage.
That takes place in this tunnel, and if you love Goblin as much as I do, this is a must-visit that will be stamped in your memories forever and ever.
4. Gyeongbokgung Palace
This beautiful and majestic palace, which is the primary seat of Korean royalty, is located in Seoul and while it was built a few years after the start of the Joseon Dynasty, it was destroyed during the Japanese invasion and abandoned for hundreds of years.
After being restored and made even larger in the early 19th century, it has been featured in many dramas, including my favourite saeguk, Moon Embracing The Sun.
5. Gwanghwamun Square
I could literally be carted away if I didn’t mention this scene where some of the most iconic, memorable, shiver-inducing scenes have taken place.
You probably recognise it already, but if you’ve watched King: Eternal Monarch, you might remember the scene where Lee Gon (Lee Min Ho) and Tae Eul (Kim Go Eun) met for the first time.
6. Jumunjin Beach Breakwater
The one and only scene that comes to mind when I think of this beautiful location is the scene from my fave Kdrama, Goblin: The Lonely & Great God, and I’m certain this is the case with many others.
This attraction is located a little distance from Jumunjin Beach, and it’s perfect if you want a scenic view or you want to recreate the scene from your fave drama.
7. Seoul Land
This amusement park and zoo has featured in so many Kdramas, but the one that comes to mind right now is the cutesy date between our pookies in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon.
Min Hyuk and Bong Soon went on a fun-filled date to this amusement park in episode 7 when she was trying to cheer him up and it was the most beautiful thing ever.
8. Lotte World
Speaking of dates, you might also recognise this indoor theme park from several romantic Kdramas where our leads went on cute dates (it’s a very popular date spot in Seoul).
A very recent example is Shin Ha Ri and Kang Tae Moo’s date in Business Proposal that had us all kicking our feet in pleasure.
Lotte World has everything from an ice rink to an outdoor amusement park, and it’s not surprising that many Kdramas have been shot here.
What do you think? Do you recognise any of these locations from your favourite dramas? Are there any other popular spots I missed? Let me know in the comments below.
Check out the related posts below for even more recommendations and happy watching!
