Seoul has plenty of recognizable K-drama sets, but some of the most rewarding filming locations are farther south. Busan adds hillside neighborhoods, working harbors and bamboo forest; Gangneung brings the East Sea into the story; and Jeju turns a scene-hunting trip into an island road trip.
This guide covers seven K-drama filming locations beyond Seoul, with realistic route ideas and the practical details that matter once you arrive. Treat the drama connection as a starting point rather than the whole purpose of the day.
Busan: Hocheon Village, Kangkangee Arts Village and Ahopsan Forest
Gangneung: Jumunjin Breakwater
Jeju: Andol Oreum Secret Forest, Geumneung Beach and Gapado Island
1. Hocheon Village, Busan
Fight for My Way
Hocheon Village is closely associated with Fight for My Way. At Hocheon Cultural Platform, visitors can see a recreated Namil Bar and look over Busan's steep hillside neighborhoods. The original rooftop connected with the drama is part of a private home, so the public display is the appropriate place for photos.
Come in the late afternoon if you want to see the neighborhood in daylight and stay for the city lights. Allow about an hour, wear shoes that handle slopes well, and keep voices low around residential lanes. Parking can be awkward on the hillside, so public transport followed by a short walk or a taxi is often simpler.
The drama set is a quick stop, but the changing view around sunset is what makes the visit worth slowing down for. Do not enter rooftops, stairs or alleys marked as private property.
Check the official Visit Busan guide to Hocheon Village before visiting.
2. Kangkangee Arts Village, Busan
My Name
Kangkangee Arts Village in Yeongdo appears in the official Visit Busan filming-location course for My Name. This is not a polished studio set. It grew from a district of ship-repair yards, and the name imitates the sound of hammers striking ship hulls.
Allow one to two hours to walk through the village, see the harbor and continue toward another Yeongdo stop. The repair yards are active workplaces, so stay in public areas, watch for vehicles and do not block entrances while taking photos. This visit works best as part of a Yeongdo route rather than a separate half-day trip.
Combine Kangkangee with a walk elsewhere in Yeongdo and a meal near the port. The area's working maritime character is more interesting than trying to match every camera angle from the series.
Read the official Visit Busan page for Kangkangee Arts Village.
3. Ahopsan Forest, Busan
The King: Eternal Monarch
The bamboo groves at Ahopsan Forest in Gijang appeared as the portal setting in The King: Eternal Monarch. Visit Busan describes the forest as having been preserved for about 400 years, with bamboo, red pine and hinoki cypress creating a side of Busan that feels far removed from its beaches and high-rise districts.
Give Gijang its own half-day instead of squeezing the forest between downtown attractions. Closed-toe shoes are useful on uneven paths, and insect repellent can help in warmer months. Ahopsan is privately managed, so admission, opening hours and temporary closures can change; check the current notice before setting out.
Check Visit Busan's current Ahopsan Forest information.
4. Jumunjin Breakwater, Gangneung
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin)
Jumunjin Breakwater became widely recognized after the first meeting of the two leads in Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, commonly called Goblin. Visitors still recreate the scene with a red scarf or flowers, but the breakwater itself only needs a short stop.
Make the trip more worthwhile by combining it with Yeongjin Beach, Jumunjin's market area or another stop along the northern Gangneung coast. Allow two to three hours if you plan to walk and eat nearby. The official Korea Tourism Organization listing says the breakwater is open around the clock and parking is available, but strong wind, spray and slippery surfaces can make the exposed coast unsafe. Stay behind barriers and avoid the edge in rough weather.
Take the drama photo, then spend the rest of the visit walking the coast or eating in Jumunjin. That turns a quick photo stop into a proper Gangneung outing.
Confirm access details on the official VISITKOREA page for Jumunjin Breakwater.
5. Andol Oreum Secret Forest, Jeju
Welcome to Samdal-ri
Andol Oreum Secret Forest appeared in episode 10 of Welcome to Samdal-ri. The Jeju Tourism Organization identifies it as a photo location known for dense trees, and the woodland setting offers a clear contrast to the drama's coastal scenes.
Plan about an hour for the forest and combine it with other stops in eastern Jeju. The final approach can be confusing, so confirm the current entrance and navigation instructions before leaving the main road. Because conditions, admission and access may change, do not rely on an old screenshot or blog post for operating details.
See Visit Jeju's official Welcome to Samdal-ri filming-location guide.
6. Geumneung Beach, Jeju
Our Blues
In Our Blues, Jeju is more than a backdrop, and Geumneung Beach is part of the official filming-location course. The shallow water and view toward Biyangdo make it an easy addition to a western Jeju day.
Allow one to two hours for the beach, longer if you plan to swim during the official summer season. Outside the supervised swimming period, visit for the shore and view rather than assuming lifeguards or water facilities are operating. Geumneung pairs naturally with nearby Hyeopjae, cafés and the western coastal road, so there is no need to cross the island for this stop alone.
Review the official VISITKOREA Our Blues route for Geumneung and Gapado.
7. Gapado Island, Jeju
King the Land and Our Blues
Gapado Island appears in bicycle scenes connected with both King the Land and Our Blues. The low, compact island is best experienced at an unhurried pace by bicycle or on foot, with the drama locations appearing naturally along the way.
Boats depart from the Moseulpo area, and the crossing takes about 15 minutes under normal conditions. Treat Gapado as a half-day outing because check-in, boarding and the return schedule take more time than the crossing itself. Ferry times and fares can change, sailings may be canceled in bad weather, and the operator may require identification. Check the official schedule and ticket rules shortly before travel rather than copying a fixed timetable into your itinerary.
Gapado is known for green barley in spring, but the exact growing conditions and any festival program vary by year. Visit for the island itself and confirm seasonal events separately.
Check the official VISITKOREA Gapado listing for the current ferry link and visitor information.
Bonus: Parnas Hotel Jeju
King the Land
The Korea Tourism Organization confirms that the lobby of Parnas Hotel Jeju was used for the drama's main hotel setting. If Jungmun is already on your route, it is an easy detail to recognize, but there is no reason to book a room only for the filming connection. Remember that this is an operating hotel: stay in public areas, avoid blocking guests and respect any photography restrictions.
See the official King the Land filming course in Jeju.
How to Build a Realistic K-Drama Route
Gangneung: Add Jumunjin Breakwater to a northern coastal route instead of making a long trip for one photograph.
Jeju: Group stops by east, west or south. Secret Forest belongs in an eastern day, while Geumneung fits western Jeju. Gapado needs its own ferry window.
Do not try to connect every Jeju location in one day. The official filming courses themselves span long distances, and island traffic, parking and ferry check-in can make a route slower than it looks on a map. One or two filming locations per day leaves room for meals, coastal walks and weather changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest K-drama filming location outside Seoul?
Jumunjin Breakwater is a straightforward choice because the filming point is easy to recognize and can be combined with other places on the Gangneung coast.
Which area offers the most variety?
Jeju offers the broadest mix of beaches, forest and island scenery, but the locations are spread out. It suits travelers who are already planning a multi-day Jeju trip.
Which Busan location feels least like the city?
Ahopsan Forest. Its bamboo paths and rural Gijang setting are very different from central Busan, which is why it deserves a separate half-day.
Final Advice
A filming location works best when it introduces you to the surrounding place. Visit Hocheon for Fight for My Way, then notice the hillside neighborhood. Go to Jumunjin for Goblin, then walk the coast and eat nearby. Take the ferry to Gapado for a familiar bicycle scene, then give the island enough time to set its own pace.
That is usually the difference between collecting screenshots and having a memorable Korea trip.
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