[Jo Yongjun's Travel Miles] Squid Game, This Place Called the Holy Land of Hallyu

Squid Game, Decision to Leave, BTS Jacket Filming Locations
February Travel Spots Recommended by Korea Tourism Organization, Hallyu Attractions
Drama, Movie, Music and Other K-Content Filming Sites

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Yong-jun, travel specialist] The influence of Hallyu is truly remarkable. Not only BTS's albums but also Korean dramas and movies have captured the hearts of people worldwide. We explore K-content filming locations that have become tourist attractions, loved and followed by Hallyu fans. Coincidentally, the Korea Tourism Organization's recommended travel theme for February is a Hallyu pilgrimage.

Night View of Sunshine Studio in Nonsan Sunshine Land

#Our Love That Year, Nonsan Sunshine Land and Onbit Natural Recreation Forest

Nonsan Sunshine Land, created through a collaboration between Nonsan City and drama production companies, consists of Sunshine Studio?the only filming set from the Korean Enlightenment period in the country?1950 Studio, which recreates the post-Korean War scenery, and a Military Experience Center offering indoor shooting and VR experiences. Sunshine Studio spans approximately 20,000 square meters and recreates early 1900s Hanseong (Seoul). It features modern Western-style buildings including the Hanseong Electric Company building, tiled and thatched houses, Japanese-style homes, and even a tram that began operation in 1899, completing a scene from over 120 years ago.

Most of the drama 'Mr. Sunshine' was filmed here, and as the drama gained popularity, Nonsan Sunshine Land also emerged as a Hallyu tourist destination. Onbit Natural Recreation Forest is another new Hallyu hotspot. The drama 'Our Beloved Summer,' aired from 2021 to 2022, gained worldwide love through Netflix, bringing fame to its filming location, Onbit Natural Recreation Forest.

About 10 km from Onbit Natural Recreation Forest is Nonsan Donam Seowon (Historic Site), one of the 'Korean Seowon' listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nearby, Tapjeong Lake features a 600-meter-long suspension bridge, allowing visitors to enjoy the sensation of walking over the lake. In Gang-gyeong Modern History Street, there remain buildings such as the former Hanil Bank Gang-gyeong Branch, Gang-gyeong Central Elementary School auditorium, and the old Gang-gyeong Labor Union building, all designated as national registered cultural assets.

※The Military Experience Center will be closed from February 13 due to interior remodeling; other facilities remain open for viewing and experience.

Ssangmun Market with the sign "Filming Location of Reply 1988"

#K-Content Attractions in Gangbuk Where Drama Emotions Come Alive ? Hanok Cafe Seonungak and Ssangmun-dong Alley

Located in Seoul's Gangbuk-gu and Dobong-gu are Hallyu drama filming sites including Hanok Cafe Seonungak and Ssangmun-dong Alley. 'Mr. Sunshine,' which depicts the story of the Korean Empire era militia, matched well with Seonungak's antique atmosphere and the drama's historical setting. Walking along the stone wall path paved with flagstones evokes nostalgic scenes from the drama. Ssangmun-dong is a neighborhood with many working-class residents. Villas, multi-family houses, and old detached houses stand out more than apartments, and markets thrive in every alley. Thanks to its working-class sentiment and cozy neighborhood vibe, it frequently appears as a drama backdrop.

The shops and alleys of Ssangmun Market inspired the 2015-2016 hit drama 'Reply 1988,' and Baegun Market was one of the filming locations for 'Squid Game' in 2021, which led the global K-drama craze. Touring Gangbuk's K-content filming sites allows visitors to relive the emotions of these dramas.

Bonghwanggak was where Son Byeong-hui, the third leader of Cheondogyo, trained national leaders. Those educated here grew into leaders in various regions and led the March 1st Movement. Dooly Museum is an interactive character museum where the whole family can enjoy playing with cartoon characters. Kim Soo-young Literature Museum was established to honor Kim Soo-young, known as the 'poetic conscience of 1960s Korean literature.' Visitors can appreciate the poet's handwritten manuscripts and literary world.

Maengbang Beach Reproducing the Set for BTS's Album 'Butter' Jacket Photoshoot

#Two Beaches That Became Music and Film Sanctuaries: Samcheok Maengbang Beach and Bunam Beach

Samcheok has two beaches that have become Hallyu hotspots. Maengbang Beach was the location for BTS's 2021 album 'Butter' jacket shoot. Member Jungkook expressed regret, saying, "I wanted to see the winter sea but couldn't come," while J-Hope marveled during filming, "Does the sea look like a composite?"

It has long been called Myeongsasimni, but now it has a new nickname: 'BTS's Beach.' The orange and green parasols and blue and yellow striped sunbeds sneak into travelers' hearts just like the lyrics of 'Butter' say, 'breakin' into your heart like that.' Bunam Beach was the filming location for the final scene of the movie 'Decision to Leave.' The quaint beach managed by the village is cinematic in itself, with bamboo groves at the entrance, rocky mountains, and sandy shores adding poetic charm.

Standing on the beach, the poignant love story approaches like the tide, turning 'finally' into admiration for the small, beautiful beach. It is generally open during the day, but if the entrance is closed, contact Samcheok City Hall's Tourism Policy Division, and they will connect you with the village.

Isabu Lion Park offers a special view of Samcheok Picture Book Land overlooking the sea. Behind the walls preserving fishing village scenery from the 1970s and 1980s lies Naritgol Emotional Village. The Gagok Foot Bath Experience Center, where visitors can enjoy sulfur hot spring foot baths, also boasts excellent views.

Baekjegung, where the drama 'The Red Sleeve Cuff' was filmed

#The Birthplace of Hallyu Historical Dramas: Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park and Mungyeong Saejae Open Set

Mungyeong Saejae (Scenic Site) was a gateway connecting Hanyang and Yeongnam during the Joseon Dynasty, opened during King Taejong's reign. It is a cultural heritage site that has preserved history, culture, and traces of people over many years. Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park also houses the Mungyeong Saejae Open Set, specialized for historical drama filming. Both the park and open set are meccas for historical dramas and movies, fueling the Hallyu historical drama craze.

Notably, in the Korean-style zombie drama 'Kingdom' seasons 1 and 2, which received enthusiastic responses worldwide, Mungyeong Saejae served as an actual location and major filming site. The first gate, Juheulgwan, and the second gate, Jogokgwan, also appear in the drama. Additionally, various dramas such as 'The Red Sleeve,' 'Yeonmo,' and 'Shuroop' were filmed here, driving the popularity of Hallyu historical dramas.

The Old Road Museum is the only museum in Korea dedicated to roads, containing old maps, ancient roads, passes, and stories of people who traveled them. The Mungyeong Dansan Tourist Monorail operates at 3-4 km/h, offering a majestic view of the Baekdudaegan mountain ridge from the summit observatory. Mungyeong Ecoral has transformed into a cultural content theme park by adding Eco Town and Giant Forest to the Mungyeong Coal Museum and Gaeun Open Set. Don't miss riding the Spider Train, which explains coal history and offers a mine tunnel experience.

Tourists visiting Oh Yoon Cafe in Cheongha Gongjin Market, the filming location of the drama 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha'

#Filming Locations of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and When the Camellia Blooms: Pohang Cheongha Gongjin Market and Guryongpo

Recently, the Hallyu drama attracting travelers to Pohang is 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.' It humorously depicts the push-and-pull love story between realist dentist Yoon Hye-jin (played by Shin Min-a) and the all-rounder unemployed Hong Du-sik (Hong Ban-jang, played by Kim Seon-ho). The starting point for traveling along 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha' is Cheongha Gongjin Market in Buk-gu Cheongha-myeon. In the middle of the market stands the marketplace building, featuring Gongjin Banjeom, Bora Supermarket, Cheongho Hardware, and Oyun Cafe (Coffee at Noon, Beer at Night) as seen in the drama.

On weekends, many travelers visit, and there can be long lines to take photos in front of Oyun Cafe. The red lighthouse on the breakwater of Seokbyeong 1-ri near Guryongpo Port is also known as a filming location for 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha,' appearing frequently in scenes such as Hye-jin's confession to Du-sik. Guryongpo Modern Cultural History Street, with over 80 houses from the Japanese colonial period, gained nationwide fame after the airing of the drama 'When the Camellia Blooms.'

Above the Modern Cultural History Street is the Pohang Guryongpo Gwamegi Culture Center, which interestingly showcases the origin and history of Guryongpo-eup and the process of making gwamegi through various materials and realistic models. Homigot, with the sculpture 'Hand of Harmony,' symbolizing a nationwide sunrise spot, is also an unmissable travel destination in Pohang.

Hanbyeokgul Cave, a Filming Location Gaining Attention for the Drama 'Twenty-Five Twenty-One'

#Fresh Youth Narratives: Jeonju Seohak-dong Art Village and Hanbyeok Cave in Twenty-Five Twenty-One

Last spring, the drama 'Twenty-Five Twenty-One,' known for its fresh youth narrative, was mainly filmed in Jeonju. Especially, Seohak-dong Art Village and Hanbyeok Cave (Hanbyeok Tunnel) have emerged as new travel destinations thanks to the drama's popularity. The music studio Soribangatgan in Seohak-dong appeared as Myeongjin Book Rental Shop.

Only the wooden sign remains now. The alley across where Hee-do (played by Kim Tae-ri) ran crying and 27 Records are exactly as seen in the drama. Walking about 15 minutes along Jeonjucheon from Seohak-dong leads to Hanbyeok Cave. This place, where Hee-do comforted the wounded Lee-jin (played by Nam Joo-hyuk), was a perfect backdrop to capture the freshness of youth. The guesthouse that appeared as Hee-do's home, with its white gate and streetlamp, evokes the drama's lingering emotions. Ahyeon Supermarket, where the main characters sat on the bench, remains intact and is on the way to Jeonju Namgosanseong (Historic Site).

Behind Seohak-dong lies Haksan Forest Poetry Library, ideal for recalling the emotions of first love. The lush forest visible through the large windows looks like a painting. On the second floor opposite Gyeonggijeon, Moju Experience House opened, where visitors can make Moju, a representative Jeonju drink. Palbok Art Factory, a remodeled cassette tape factory turned complex cultural space, is popular among family travelers as an art playground.