Where to draw ideas for vacations and travel? Perhaps by scrolling through beautiful photos on social media, bloggers’ channels, or in shows about other countries. And we’ll share with you travel ideas that we’ve gleaned from Korean dramas.
Baekje Cultural Land
Immerse yourself in the history of the ancient state by visiting the country’s largest historical park, located a few hours’ drive from Seoul. Baekje Cultural Land is a theme park with a museum, temple, restaurant, and recreational areas. This is the true embodiment of the Baekje Kingdom. Some historical dramas were filmed here, such as “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo”. The park features many stunning architectural structures, restored in the likeness of the original buildings. The royal palace Sabigung, the Neungsan-ri temple, the Sabiseong fortress, and the village — all these cultural treasures impress with their beauty and accurate reproduction of the Baekje era. The place allows you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the royal palace and learn about the culture and everyday life of that time.
Garden of Morning Calm
Another location frequently used for drama scenes is the Garden of Morning Calm. It is perfect for various genres, whether historical fantasy or melodrama. For instance, scenes from dramas like “Alchemy of Souls” and “Now, We Are Breaking Up” were filmed here.
The Garden of Morning Calm is located on Yeongju Mountain in the city of the same name in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. The mountain’s height reaches 879 meters. The city is 50 kilometers from Seoul. This place is a paradise for photographers and a must-visit for those who want to admire vibrant flowers and get acquainted with Korean nature. The arboretum is divided into 10 gardens with poetic names like “Road to Heaven,” “Garden of Promise,” and “Moonlight Garden.” The thematic zones are on different levels and connected by paths and walkways. There is a small church, a beautiful English house with a wild garden, a Korean hanok, a suspension bridge, a tea house, and a café. There is also a traditional pavilion with stone bridges in the middle of a pond, a waterfall, and a small mountain river. The observation deck runs along the top of the mountain, and early in the morning, it offers a view of the surrounding mountains covered in thick fog.
Bukchon Hanok Village
South Korea has many different thematic villages used for filming. We recommend visiting Bukchon Hanok Village, which can be seen in dramas like “Our Beloved Summer,” “True Beauty,” “Flower of Evil,” and others. Bukchon Village is a Korean village with traditional-style houses in the center of Seoul. The unique feature of this village is that it is a real residential area where residents have preserved their traditional way of life. The small and cozy one-story houses look exotic against the backdrop of Seoul’s skyscrapers. During the Joseon Dynasty, members of the royal family and the upper circles of the capital’s aristocracy lived here. Traditional houses with tiled roofs have reached us almost unchanged.
The village is located next to the Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces and the Jongmyo Shrine. It appeared here almost simultaneously with the founding of Seoul more than 600 years ago. It is a great place for walks and getting acquainted with traditional Korean architecture. We recommend trying homemade dishes in local cafes.
Nami Island in Chuncheon
An enormous park with picturesque alleys where chestnut trees, ginkgo trees, metasequoias, and many pines grow. Nami Island gained special fame after the release of the drama “Winter Sonata” and became a calling card of Chuncheon, a landmark loved by foreign tourists.
The small crescent-shaped island is located 63 kilometers from Seoul. There are no telegraph poles; all electrical wires are underground. The island’s highlight is the harmony of natural landscapes and man-made artworks. Almost every corner of the island features unusual items and compositions made from recycled materials — wood, glass, or plastic bottles. There is a song museum, a library of illustrated books, a children’s playground, a UNICEF hall, and other cultural spaces. You can ride a bicycle, a charity train, or a tourist bus around the island. Of course, there are cafes and restaurants with a variety of dishes.
Pohang City
When a drama’s plot is filled with beautiful landscapes and the country’s color, it makes you want to be in that very place. If you watched the drama “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha,” you know these feelings. The fishing village on screen is actually Pohang city in North Gyeongsang Province, 270 kilometers from Seoul. After the drama’s release, the city became popular among tourists. And it’s no wonder, as from the very first episode, viewers are transported to one of the largest port cities in the country with picturesque sea views and a bustling fish market. The Sabang Memorial Park also participated in the filming. On a hill in the park is the main character’s boat. Be sure to climb here not only for a photo with the boat but also to enjoy the view of the sea.
The city’s attractions are not limited to scenes from the series. Take a walk in Hwanho Park, where a huge art installation called Space Walk is installed, with a total length of 333 meters. The unusual structure looks like a roller coaster, and once you reach the top, you’ll understand why it’s called “a walk in space”. To see stunning views of the sunrise and sunset, head to the Igari Observation Deck. From above, it resembles a huge anchor, and walking on it feels like you’re in the middle of the sea.
Sanjeong Lake in Pocheon
Captivating shots from the drama “Legend of the Blue Sea” show only a small part of one of the most popular tourist spots in Pocheon, an hour’s drive from Seoul. This is Sanjeong Lake, located in a picturesque area between Mount Manbongsan and Mount Manmubong. The emerald-colored water and oddly shaped rocks add grandeur to the landscape. Granite rocks were once quarried here, and the lake formed naturally from a pit later filled with spring and rainwater.
Hiking enthusiasts often visit the mountains in spring and autumn, and in winter people come here to skate on the frozen lake. Around the lake are an amusement park, a pool, slides, and a spa. The paths around the lake are perfect for walking. You can stay in a guesthouse and spend the weekend with the whole family. Local restaurants are known for their delicious dishes made from freshwater snails and mushrooms.
Jirisan Mountains
The filming location for the drama “Jirisan” is the eponymous famous mountains. We recommend this place for nature lovers and mountain hiking enthusiasts. The shots from the drama captivate from the very first minute with picturesque natural landscapes, deep gorges, and misty valleys. Jirisan is the main mountain park in South Korea, located 240 kilometers from Seoul. It is one of the 8 Wonders of Korea and is home to some of the country’s five most famous mountains. The height of the Jirisan Mountains is 1,915 meters above sea level, with the main peak being Cheonwangbong (translated as “Heavenly Pillar”).
In the Jirisan Mountains, where Buddhist culture originated, you will see many cultural relics. The Hwaeomsa Buddhist Temple is one of the ten largest temples in South Korea. The mountain park has several shelters where you can spend the night. The ascent to the Jirisan Mountains from Namwon city begins at the Baemsagol information point. Before heading on a trek, we recommend listening to stories about the area, flora, and fauna at the information center.
Haeundae and Songjeong Beaches in Busan
Most of the drama “Pachinko” was filmed in Busan, the country’s largest port. The city has several large beaches, including South Korea’s largest beach, Haeundae. Several scenes from the first season of the drama were shot here. The beach with coarse white sand stretches one and a half kilometers along the coast of the Korean Strait. The gentle entrance to the sea is suitable for families with children. The beach offers picturesque views of the surrounding skyscrapers. The beach is equipped with entertainment infrastructure: cafes, bars, restaurants, a beach library, a cultural information center. In the evening, street performers perform, and dancing begins. In the center of the beach is an aquarium with a tunnel, thematic aquariums, and an open pool where you can touch some marine creatures.
One of the best beaches on the eastern coast of the Sea of Japan is Songjeong Beach. Here, an episode of the drama “True Beauty” was filmed. The indigo-colored sea and silver sand leave no one indifferent. The beach is surrounded on three sides by Geumsan Mountain, and on the fourth side stretches the sea, creating a stunningly beautiful landscape. From Geumsan Mountain, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sunrise. People come here not only to swim and sunbathe but also to engage in water sports: kitesurfing, windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing, yachting, and water skiing are popular here.
Gamcheon Culture Village
The Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan is a former slum where refugees settled in the 1950s. The place was bleak, poor, and underdeveloped. Since then, everything has changed. Now this neighborhood is popular among tourists and often hosts entertainment shows. The transformation story began in 2009 when the houses were painted in different colors. Many Busan sculptors and artists participated in creating the area’s art space. The walls of the houses feature entire paintings.
The unique feature of the neighborhood is not only its bright colors but also the arrangement of the houses. Small rectangular and square houses are nestled on the steep slopes of the gorge, one above the other. The roofs are used as courtyards since the houses are very close to each other. The narrow streets of the neighborhood accommodate humorous sculptures and compositions. One of the favorites among tourists is a scene from “The Little Prince,” where the prince sits with the fox. In Gamcheon, you can participate in a quest. You need to buy a special map of the area, which marks the neighborhood’s attractions, including galleries, cafes, and art shops. Each location provides special stamps. The prize for completing the quest is received at the information center.
Yongmeori Coast on Jeju Island
In the drama “Alchemy of Souls,” everything looks fantastical and otherworldly, making it seem like the landscapes are imagined and drawn. However, these are real places. For example, the location where the main characters walk along the coast with seaside caves in the background of layered cliffs is on Jeju Island. Yongmeori Coast is located at the foot of Mount Sanbangsan. The sandstone cliffs formed in layers over tens of millions of years and were carved by waves. This majestic seascape with stone walls 30 to 50 meters high must be seen with your own eyes. Walking on the sandstone in the coastal area, you will see haenyeo — women divers who catch fish, gather shellfish, and other seafood in the ocean depths. Along the path, there are small stalls where you can buy fresh catch, and it will be prepared right there for you.