Drama locations in Gyeongsang

Well-known spots include Guryongpo in Pohang (When the Camellia Blooms), Cheongha in Pohang (Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha), the hackberry tree in Bukbu-ri, Changwon (Extraordinary Attorney Woo) and the Mungyeong Saejae open set. Historic cities like Andong and Gyeongju also evoke historical dramas. Plan routes carefully, and check official provincial tourism information.

The KBS drama When the Camellia Blooms (2019) was largely filmed around Guryongpo in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The alleys and stairways of the Guryongpo Japanese House Street capture the drama's village atmosphere. Real shops and residents are there, so explore quietly. The area also carries traces of the colonial era, so read the history signs too.

The tvN drama Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) was filmed in seaside villages around Cheongha-myeon in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The drama's village of Gongjin is fictional, but real beaches, alleys and market scenes appear on screen. Residents live there, so avoid lingering in front of homes. Check Pohang City's official information for location details.

The hackberry tree featured in the ENA drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022) stands on a hill in Dongbu village, Bukbu-ri, Daesan-myeon, Uichang-gu, Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do. It drew crowds after the broadcast and was designated a natural monument in 2022. Follow the protection guidelines and stay out of nearby farmland.

The Guryongpo Japanese House Street preserves homes where Japanese fishermen lived during the colonial period, and it has been developed as a modern history site. It became a popular filming destination after When the Camellia Blooms aired. Because it reflects a painful chapter of history, read the information boards as you explore. The nearby harbour offers fresh seafood.

From Seoul, take the KTX to Pohang Station, then a city bus or taxi to Guryongpo or Cheongha. The two areas lie in opposite directions from the city centre, so allow plenty of time if visiting both in one day. Check bus routes and intervals in a map app; a rental car makes the coastal roads easy.

Andong Hahoe Village preserves a Joseon-era aristocratic clan village, making it a great place to feel the atmosphere of historical dramas. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010 together with Yangdong Village in Gyeongju. Hahoe mask dance performances and the Andong Mask Dance Festival are famous. Residents live there, so mind your manners.

Gyeongju was the capital of Silla, and its royal tombs, temples and ruins evoke that era vividly. Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Filming at heritage sites often requires permission, so many historical dramas use sets instead. Still, Gyeongju is a rewarding destination for history lovers.

The Hapcheon Image Theme Park in Gyeongsangnam-do is a period set recreating street scenes from the colonial era through the 1980s. Many films and dramas are known to have been shot there. The areas designed to look like old Seoul streets are popular photo spots. Check Hapcheon County's official information for operating details.

The area around the tree is a residential village surrounded by fields, so stay on marked paths and avoid trampling crops. Do not climb the tree or touch its branches. As a natural monument, it is protected by regulations that visitors must respect. Use designated parking areas only.

Well-known dishes include gwamegi (half-dried fish) and mulhoe (cold raw fish soup) in Pohang, jjimdak braised chicken and salted mackerel in Andong, Hwangnam bread in Gyeongju and spicy braised monkfish in Changwon's Masan area. Seaside markets near filming spots offer fresh seafood too.

Seaside locations are pleasant from spring through autumn, while Hahoe Village and Gyeongju are especially beautiful in the autumn foliage season. In winter, Pohang is in gwamegi season, making it a good food trip. Check local government information for festival dates.

Cities like Pohang, Gyeongju and Andong are accessible by train and bus, but seaside villages and rural locations often have infrequent buses. A rental car or taxi may be easier for multiple stops in one day. Check timetables in a map app in advance.

Yes, the two cities are close, making a one or two-day combined trip easy. A popular route is touring Gyeongju's historic sites, then heading to Guryongpo or other seaside filming spots in Pohang. Travel times vary by transport, so check in advance.

The Mungyeong Saejae open set is the region's best-known historical drama set, while the Hapcheon Image Theme Park recreates modern-era streets for period pieces. Sets may change or be removed depending on productions. Confirm operating status through official information before visiting.

Southern coastal towns with islands and sea views, such as Tongyeong, Geoje and Namhae, have also served as backdrops for dramas and films. Check each city or county's official tourism information for specific titles and locations. Seaside villages are residents' homes, so observe etiquette.

The Andong International Mask Dance Festival showcases mask dances from Korea and around the world, usually held in autumn in Andong. You can see traditional performances such as the Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori. Dates change each year, so check official announcements.

Right after a hit drama, small villages can suddenly be overwhelmed by visitors, causing parking and noise problems. Local governments sometimes set up temporary parking or stewards. When visitors are considerate, residents and tourism can coexist sustainably. Off-peak visits help ease the pressure on small villages.

Check official tourism information from Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do and their cities and counties, plus regional film commission materials. Local governments sometimes publish filming location maps after a drama airs. Always make sure the information is current. Information can change quickly right after a drama airs.

Group spots by area: Pohang and Gyeongju on the east coast, Andong and Mungyeong inland, and Changwon and Hapcheon in Gyeongnam. Distances between areas are long, so covering one per day works best. A rental car makes getting around much easier.