Don't Visit Korea!

Just kidding..hehe. Mmm..you don't need to when you could see it all in Korean drama, right? ^^ Totally wrong!! You must visit Korea especially these gorgeous places which I will mention shortly!

If you are highly influenced and addicted to watching Korean drama, you won't miss the beautiful spots in Korea shown in the drama, will you? This is one of the reasons why so many people around the globe fell in love with Korea, apart from drooling over the gorgeous actors and actresses. You know what I mean, right? Hehehe. Back to my point here. ^^ The places are so unbelievably beautiful and people are warm (not to mention attractive). You couldn't imagine not being there appreciating the breathtaking beauty yourself! Just like me. ^^

I list out the famous Korean dramas with beautiful spots for you to marvel at later once you visit Korea. Hehehe.

1. Winter Sonata

Nami Island - I visited Nami Island early November when the weather was very harsh for my dear skin. T_T But it was all a worthwhile experience because autumn scenery was just superb. Check it out here.

Yongpyong Ski Resort - It is located in Gangwondo. However, I am not a Winter Sonata fan. Sorry to Yon-sama fans out there but soapy plot is not my cup of tea. So, I opted for Phoenix Ski Resorts as advised by my host in Jinbu. They have more adventurous slopes.Those who really love the drama, my advice; just visit the ski resort and relive the moments in the drama while you skiing down the slope. Hehehe.

Ski Resorts in Gangwondo's review is here and another blogger's review for Phoenix Ski Resort.

Daehangno - I met Chi Won near Daehangno, my couchsurfing friend before leaving Korea. She works in Seoul University Hospital around there. Take subway to Hyehwa Station, Line 4. Check out the pictures here.

2. Kim Sam Soon

Guesthouse Rakgojae (Hanok - Korean traditional house) - The house is available for rental if you want a nice stay in traditional style house. Recommended for family or group visitors because the rate is quite a bomb for a budget traveler.

Namsan tower - This place is a must. Just don't go during cloudy or rainy days and all will be perfect!

3. Iris

Gwanghamun Square - I visited here because of King Sejong not because of Lee Byung Hun (sorry Yani, I'm just not a fan of him), although Iris drama depicts the place spectacularly. Just step out of Gwanghamun Station and you could take a stroll on the huge road for King Sejong's statue, General Yi Sun Sin's statue, Haechi Madang and King Sejong's Cultural Center.

Check out my story on Gwanghamun.

4. You're Beautiful

Myeongdong, Myeongdong Cathedral where Go Mi Nam and Kang Shin Woo supposed to meet.
Tips for shopping in Myeongdong is here. Avoid public holiday at all cost if you want to shop in Myeongdong. It was jam-packed during Christmas 2009 when I visited Myeongdong. Pictures here.

5. Cinderella's Sister

Sanjeong Lake
They built a costly Hanok (traditional Korean house) for this drama in Daeseongdoga. It is located inside Sanjeonghosu Lake area in Gyeonggi-do Province.

How to go: Bus: Take a bus for Sincheolwon at Seoul Sangbong Bus Terminal and get off at Uncheon. There is a bus every 15 minutes. It takes about 1 hour 20 minutes Take a bus for Sanjeong Lake at Uncheon.


More info is here. 

6. Queen Seondok

Gyeongju - This place is a must!

How to go:
Seoul Gangnam Express Bus Terminal (Subway lines 3 or 7, Seoul Gangnam Express Bus Terminal Station, Exit 2) → Gyeongju (It takes 4 hours, first bus at 06:05, last bus at 23:55, departs every 30 to 40 minutes, fare 18,600 won - 30,400 won)

Or

Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (Subway line 2, Gangbyeon Station) → Gyeongju (It takes 4 hours, first bus at 07:00, last bus at 24:00, departs every 30 to 40 minutes, fare 19,500 won - 23,200 won)
Read my journey to Gyeongju here.

7. Cain and Abel

Suamgol village of Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do

How to Go:
Seoul Express Bus Terminal or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal → Cheongju Intercity / Express Bus Terminal (est. travel time 1hr 40mins) → Take Bus No. 105 at the entrance of the Cheongju Express Bus Terminal or any bus bound for Cheongju University → Get off in front of Uam Elementary School → Walk along the walls of the Uam Elementary School (app. 10 min by foot)

Eumseong Large Rock Face Sculpture Park

How to go:
Dong Seoul Bus Terminal → Saenggeuk Intercity Bus Terminal (est. travel time of 1hr 30mins), take a taxi from the Saenggeuk Intercity Bus Terminal (app. 5,000won of taxi fare)


8. Boys Over Flowers

Keimyung University, Daegu

How to go:
Seongseo campus: +82-53-580-5114, 1000 Sinsang-dong, Dalseo-gu district, Daegu city From Seoul station, take a train to Dongdaegu -> from Dongdaegu station, get on the subway; get off at Keimyung University station on line 2

Daemyeong campus: +82-53-580-5785, 2139 Daemyeong-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu city
From Seoul station, take a train to Daegu; from Daegu station, take bus#202, 202-1, or 808

9. The First Shop of Coffee Prince

Coffee Shop in Hongik

How to Get There: Take Subway Line 2 to Hongik University, and go out of Exit 4. Turn right into Seven Springs corner and pass the intersection. At the 3-way intersection, turn left. Walk about 100 meters on the road above the playground and walk towards the road on the right side. Walk about 500 meters until you find the coffee shop on the right

Tut, Hanim and me visited Coffee Prince coffee shop's post is here. Apparently there are two Coffee Prince coffee shop. We went to the main one instead of the actual filming location. Both coffee shops are around Hongik area.

10. Witch Yu Hui

N Seoul Tower
Directions : Take exit no. 2 or 4 at Chungmuro Station on subway line no. 3 or 4 and take the yellow Mt. Namsan circular bus no. 2; Get off at the entrance of N Seoul Tower

11. Daejanggeum - Jewel in the Palace

Chandeokgung Palace - I have visited the palace in September but try to come in autumn/spring. Entrance fee is only 3,000 won and for free English tour, please be there by 11.00 am. Avoid Mondays because a lot of historical/cultural spots are closed. Just walk out from Anguk Station for about 100 meters and you will see the magnificent palace in front of you. Read my post on Chandeokgung palace here.

Korean Folk Village - It is located in Yongin and I went there when I stayed with Chi Won (Couchsurfing).
Entrance fee is 12,000 won. I love watching the performances and the place is quite huge so you may need to allocate 3-4 hours.

How to go:
From Exit No. 6 of Gangnam Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 2) or Exit No. 7 or Yangjae Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 7), take City Express Bus No. 1560 or 5000-1 and get off at Korean Folk Village (30-40 minute ride).

12. My Girl

Jeju Island - You will feel like you are in Jeju Island if you watch this drama. Most scenes in episodes 1 and 2 were filmed in Jungmun, the largest tourist complex on the island. While scenes were filmed all over the island, some major locations were Seongsan Ilchulbong, Cheonjeyeon Falls, Cheonjiyeon Falls, and Seopjikoji.

Not been there yet but I will be ^^. Initially, I thought what's the big deal? Malaysia has a string of beautiful islands too. So, I skip Jeju Island. What a big no no! Imagine an island with a shield volcano which I COULD NOT see anywhere in Malaysia. Totally different experience! This is a MUST stop for me the next time I visit Korea. Thanks to AirAsia, the dream will come true soon.

If you watch My Girl drama (recommended!), you could see the rocks near the beaches are black right? That's why Jeju Island is different. Halla san would be intriguing for anyone to come over. Loads of Korean drama were filmed in Jeju Island. We should definitely go! Check out my post for riding a scooter on Jeju Island here and how to go to Jeju Island here.

Note: Information are based on KNTO site. Check for more filming locations here.