BUSAN IS a famous tourist destination for people to enjoy maritime leisure at its crowded beaches—Haeundae and Gwangalli to name a few. But did you know that Busan is home to several filming locations featured in popular K-dramas? Not just the city center but also the lesser-known places of Busan were chosen to be filmed by directors. Consider including the following locations in your travel itinerary to enjoy the beautiful scenery off-screen.

Taejongdae Cliffed Coast; The King: Two Hearts (2012)

   Located in Yeongdo-gu, Taejongdae Cliffed Coast is a natural geopark by the sea. A pivotal scene where a significant character was fatally shot in The King: Two Hearts was filmed in the rocky areas of Taejongdae Park. It would be fun to guess where the two thrones were placed as you walk on the rugged surface. There are three ways to look around the place: by foot, ferry, or the Danubi Train. You can take a stroll at the national park for free, but paying the extra ₩3,000 for the train ticket is recommended for those who really want to enjoy their visit to the fullest extent. The scenic site is packed with unique rocks and flora as well as sea caves. The towering sea cliffs impress people. Visitors stop by at the observation deck to take a closer look at the wave-cut formations and the vast sea.

   If you direct your eyes to the side, you will notice the modern-looking Yeongdo lighthouse; it is the first lighthouse with a lighthouse keeper in Korea*. There are also two small Buddhist temples inside the park: Taejongsa and Gumyeongsa. Taejongsa is famous for its bright-colored hydrangeas during summertime. When the cold wind starts to blow, camellia flowers bloom. Likewise, the small but charming temples are worth visiting any time of the year.

Ahopsan Bamboo Forest; The King: Eternal Monarch (2020) and more

   K-drama fans might be familiar with the tall bamboo stalks of Ahopsan Bamboo Forest since many directors have visited the place to shoot dramas and movies. It is a popular place for filming battle and horse-riding scenes because the bamboo forest is effective in taking viewers back in time as the environment is largely untouched by modern civilization. For this reason, it was featured in the movie Kundo: Age of the Rampant (2014) and the drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016). Ahopsan bamboo forest is located in Gijang county, the outskirts of Busan. Although there is an entrance fee of ₩5,000, you will not regret the time and cost you have spent to get there once you enter the forest.

   The place was named “Ahopsan” forest since it is surrounded by nine (ahop) peaks (san), and the conservation area is located at the top of the mountain. Upon arrival, you can walk along the trails and witness the 400-year old natural environment. You will fall in love with the pristine forest that gives a sense of “healing” to its visitors; the tall bamboo trees allow people to forget about their busy lives during their stay. A recent romantic-fantasy drama The King: Eternal Monarch was set in the bamboo forest, which served as a gateway between the two worlds of different time periods. Two big rock monoliths, a representation of the portal, are set up at the heart of the forest. Follow the direction signs and check out the enchanting place yourself.

Jukseong Dream Church; Dream (2009)

   Jukseong Dream Church is not an actual Catholic church, although it looks like one. The so-called church is actually a shooting location built for the drama Dream. The Church serves as the home for the main characters and completes the aesthetics for many scenes in the drama. Although Jukseong Dream Church received some calls for demolition after the last episode was aired, the building still stands and has become a popular tourist spot. The church right in front of the sea attracted many people thanks to its “Instagrammable” exterior; its red roof stands out from the white walls and the blue sea. Next to the church, there is a lighthouse with a matching red top. The lighthouse was also built for filming purposes and is not in operation. Nonetheless, people visit this landmark to record memories from their Busan trip. Some even take wedding photos in front of the church.

   You will be able to go inside the building and look at artworks if you visit the place during a designated period. Although Jukseong Dream Church does not offer any worship services, art exhibitions are occasionally held. Jukseong Port is about 30 minutes away from the city center, the Haeundae area. With fewer people around, the filming location is quite peaceful and quiet with just the tidal sounds filling the air. Consider visiting Jukseong Dream Church during sunset hours, when the sun meets the sea.

Hocheon Village: Fight for My Way (2017)

   Hocheon Village is known for its colorful houses that form clusters on the hillside. More and more people have noticed the beauty of this area since it was featured in Fight for My Way. After taking photos with the rainbow-colored neighborhood as the background, people are encouraged to explore the streets. There are many murals with tiger paintings because, in the past, many residents reported that they spotted a tiger by the stream. The area was named after their accounts as the “tiger stream” village.

   At one corner of the village, there is Namil bar, one filming site from the drama. Scenes with this rooftop café and bar as the background showed Hocheon village at late hours when street lamps and house lights illuminate the hillside at dusk. To check out the charming view for themselves, people visit Namil bar since it is a perfect place to enjoy the glistening night view with a drink in one hand.

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   Plan the theme of your trip as a getaway from your repetitive lifestyle and visit natural parks, temples, and peaceful neighborhoods. As you explore hidden corners of Busan, it would be fun to relive the scenes that you have watched on TV by visiting K-drama filming locations. Or if you haven’t seen any of these dramas, going to the places mentioned above could be a great way to choose shows to binge-watch during winter holidays.

*Busan Tourism