한국국제교류재단

K-dramas that garner a huge following turn their filming locations into famous attractions. The places where touching scenes transpire often become iconic destinations.

Snowscape on Binae Island in Chungju, one of the locations for “Crash Landing on You.” This riverine wetland is a naturally formed island in the middle and upper reaches of the Namhan River. The habitat of 865 species of animals and plants, including 15 endangered species, the island has been designated as a wetland protected area by the Ministry of Environment.
© forfood.tistory.com

TV series may be make-believe but they all need real-world locations. Besides saving the cost of building expensive sets, they are a high priority to help accentuate storylines. The appropriate background enlivens the mood and creates lasting memories for viewers, and even mundane spaces can become extraordinary attractions, placed on the must-see lists of K-drama fans.

The prominence of locations evolved alongside the progression of K-drama motifs. Before 2000, Korean TV series were produced in limited genres, resulting in similar content and clichéd stories, and cinematography techniques were not advanced either. However, as the Korean Wave began to draw viewers from around the world, producers and directors began paying greater attention to visual aesthetics, and finding the right background scenery became an important task.

Location managers have the challenging task of finding ideal places that mesh well with the series’ genres and storylines. The more interesting and eye-catching, the better. If the location is compelling, viewers are more apt to be absorbed in the story. The sites that location managers relentlessly search out lead to viewers mulling over the touching scenes even when the drama has ended.

Above all else, a perfect spot may become the core element of viewer immersion. It becomes another layer of enjoyment. When a drama becomes popular, viewers often begin internet searches for the primary filming location and visit the place with their family or friends.

Space Transformation
Among recent blockbusters, “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” “Mr. Sunshine” and “Crash Landing on You” all feature beautiful love stories. They also redefined the time and space possibilities of K-dramas.

“Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” goes 900 years back in time. Kim Shin (played by Gong Yoo), a military general from the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), is killed by the king he served and destined to stay immortal with a sword lodged in his chest. Only a Goblin’s bride can pull out the sword and put an end to his immortality.

The most famous scene from this K-drama is when Ji Eun-tak (played by Kim Go-eun), the Goblin’s bride, summons the Goblin and meets him for the first time. This scene was shot on a small beach called Yeongjin in Gangneung, a city on Korea’s east coast. If not for the drama, it would still be a pretty ordinary place. Now it is a landmark where K-drama fans visit to shoot souvenir photos and rent the protagonist’s signature red scarf and buckwheat flowers.

Manhyujeong, a pavilion in Andong, was one of the locations for “Mr. Sunshine.” It was built by Kim Gye-haeng (1431-1517), a civil official of the Joseon Dynasty, as a place to relax and read during his later years. After the series aired, the pavilion became so famous that tourists lined up on the bridge in front of it to take pictures.
© Hong Communications, inc.

New Meaning
“Mr. Sunshine” is another series with a moving scene that gave new meaning to the shooting location. The period drama is set against the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945), and features the beautiful, heartbreaking love story between Goh Ae-shin (played by Kim Tae-ri), the granddaughter of a highly respected nobleman, and Eugene Choi (played by Lee Byung-hun), a U.S. Marine Corps officer assigned to the U.S. Consulate. Another element in the fabric of the story is the righteous armies sacrificing their lives for the country’s independence.

The visual beauty of “Mr. Sunshine” was not lost on the audience. Many scenes were praised for their resemblance to paintings. Though mostly shot on a set built in Nonsan, a small agricultural city in South Chungcheong Province, many scenes were also filmed at picturesque locations. Viewers were thrilled to see the protagonists on a boating date on the river in front of Gosanjeong, a pavilion in the city of Andong. Built in the 16th century, it is designated as Tangible Cultural Heritage of North Gyeongsang Province, and the view from across the river is breathtaking. It has now become a popular tourist attraction.

The Old House of Ildu in Hamyang County, South Gyeongsang Province, where Goh Ae-shin lives in the drama, is also an arresting location. Designated as a National Folklore Cultural Heritage, the house was the residence of the descendants of Jeong Yeo-chang (1450-1504), a Neo-Confucian scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. It retains its original appearance thanks to several rounds of repairs and reconstruction. After seeing the noble family’s house, it is easy to mistakenly think that Goh Ae-shin actually lived there.

Remembering the Beauty
The ride is not easy for the two lovebirds in “Crash Landing on You.” The barrier here is neither time nor an enemy invasion, but the division of the Korean peninsula. This harsh reality dooms prospects of a lasting relationship unless one of them defects. Like other highly rated K-dramas, the locations aroused the interest of viewers. They were especially curious about the whereabouts of the make-believe North Korean village that appeared in the earlier episodes.

To build a large-scale village set, a location team usually uses a plot of land provided by the local government. For “Crash Landing on You,” sets were built in Taean, on the west coast, and Hoengseong in Gangwon Province. Regrettably, the sets were disassembled after filming, but at least Binae Island in North Chungcheong Province can assuage viewers’ curiosity. This is where Yoon Seri, played by Son Ye-jin, goes on a picnic with the North Korean soldier friends. There were no human-made structures in view of the camera, which made the island an ideal spot to pass for an unspecified riverside somewhere in North Korea. Naturally formed by the accumulation of river sand, the island covers an area of 920,484 square meters, and in 2021 the Ministry of Environment designated it a wetland protected zone in recognition of its biodiversity. Perhaps fans feel the island is even more meaningful, knowing that Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin married in early 2022.

The use of Binae Island is an example of what goes into finding locations. The location manager goes on a nationwide search to look for such rare sites and narrows the options. Fortunately, Korea is endowed with well-preserved cultural sites and locations of scenic beauty. The conditions are ripe for the creators to unravel their imaginations.

Sometimes, very mundane places can become favorite destinations powered by the popularity of a K-drama. The better the series, the more visitors, and the more beautiful the story, the longer that place is remembered. It is quite rare that places where horrible events took place on the small screen become popular attractions. The reason why people take off to filming locations and continue to remember them even when they are back home is probably because there is a story to be shared there.

Snow-covered birch forest in Wondae-ri, Inje County, Gangwon Province. A famous eco-tourism destination, the forest was created by planting about 700,000 birch trees over 20 years from 1974. It is a popular location for films and dramas, including Season 2 of “Kingdom” (2020).
© Korea Tourism Organization