October 31, 2025 | 01:57 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, has gained global attention. Aside from hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit for the second time on October 31 to November 1, this city has become a favorite filming location for Korean drama producers.
This culturally rich city has set the emotional tone for various popular series, from royal romances to thrilling historical dramas. Gyeongju is not just a backdrop, but an element that shapes the mood and texture of the story.
According to Chinese-Korean filmmaker Zhang Lu, who filmed Gyeongju (2014) in this city, exploring Gyeongju is like experiencing layers of time and emotions merging within the space itself. "That sense of history naturally seeps into the film," he said as quoted by The Korea Times.
Iconic Places in Gyeongju
Here are some iconic places in Gyeongju that have become filming locations for Korean dramas:
1. Donggung and Wolji Pond
One of the most iconic locations is the Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, the former secondary palace of the Silla Kingdom which transforms into a romantic setting at night. The production team of the drama Princess Hours (2006), depicting the story of a high school girl (Yoo Eun-hye) forced into marriage with the crown prince (Ju Ji-hoon), used the pond as a private royal family garden. This location also appeared in The Beauty Inside (2018), where a top actress (Seo Hyun-jin) who changes appearance every month meets an airline executive (Lee Min-ki) under the moonlight.
2. Samneung Forest on the Slopes of Mount Nam
Equally captivating, the Samneung Forest on the slopes of Mount Nam, with its mist-covered twisted pine trees, provided a dramatic backdrop in Mr. Sunshine (2018). This series follows Eugene Choi (Lee Byung-hun), a slave who escaped to the United States and returned to pre-colonial Korea, falling in love with an independence fighter (Kim Tae-ri). The forest appeared in the first episode as a thrilling chase location, adding to the emotion of leaving one's homeland. A similar location was also used in The Great Queen Seondeok, where the first queen of Silla braves a sandstorm and determines her fate. The drama production team praised the city's magnificent yet intimate atmosphere, allowing them to convey emotional nuances beyond the historical narrative.
3. Mount Obong
Mount Obong, particularly the Madangbawi rock terraces, became a choice for intense scenes. In the new drama Bon Appetit, Your Majesty (2025), a Michelin-starred chef (Lim Yoon-a) is transported to the Joseon era and meets a tyrant prince (Lee Chae-min) on this cliff. The same location appeared in The Great Queen Seondeok and Dong Yi (2010), highlighting the dramatic mountain terrain.
4. Oreung Royal Tombs
The Oreung Royal Tombs, a cluster of five Silla royal tombs listed as UNESCO heritage sites, will serve as the backdrop for the upcoming drama The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife (working title), starring IU and Byeon Woo-seok. This location portrays the solitude of Prince Yi Ahn, adding a mysterious aura to the fictional royal realm.
This city offers a seamless blend of history, emotions, and cinematic allure. For K-drama enthusiasts, visiting Gyeongju is not just a touristic experience but a journey into a vivid fictional world.
Princess Az Zahra Suherman contributed to the writing of this article
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