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Recreate your favourite K-drama scenes in Seoul!

Annyeonghaseyo! Seoul, the birthplace of K-wave, is a leading city worth a visit. Fashion forward and technology savvy, but true to its traditional roots, Seoul remixes palaces, skyscrapers and notable neighbourhoods, with hipster cafés and shopping streets all to a nonstop K-pop beat. For diehard K-drama fans, Seoul certainly lays a sense of belonging with bittersweet memories of favourite drama scenes. Here are some of the most popular filming locations that you can set foot on to re-enact your own Korean drama scene!

1. A Tale of Tower Romance

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The iconic 480m tall Namsan Seoul Tower (sourced from Flickr, user Wei-Te Wong)

Located at Namsan Mountain in central Seoul, the N Seoul Tower is one of the most popular locations for filming modern romantic Korean series. Thanks to the heart-warming love-locking scene from “My Love from the Star”, tourists, especially couples, began flocking the roof terrace with their locks to imitate this romantic gesture signifying the unbreakable bond of the heart. The N Seoul Tower is also known for its futuristic decoration of artistic media art displays through the use of stunning display panels, making it an even more romantic spot for a hot date. At the highest point, visitors can enjoy the fairy-tale like panoramic view, especially when sun is about to set. On the way down from Namsan Mountain, Korean drama fans can recreate the scene shot from “Boys over Flowers” where Gu Jun-pyo, played by heartthrob Lee Min-ho, waited patiently in front of the N Seoul Tower for his lover.

 

2. A Scenic Waterway by the River

A renowned attraction right in the heart of Seoul, Banpo Bridge
A renowned attraction right in the heart of Seoul, Banpo Bridge (sourced from Flickr, user Travel Oriented)

For Seoulites and tourists, the bank of the Han River is a popular picnic ground thanks to its picturesque views. During the day, avid cyclists and joggers can be seen along the pathways while in the evening, parks along the river are illuminated with fancy lights, bringing the vibrant city of Seoul to life. Spanning across almost 500km through the city, the Han River has been the perfect background scene for several contemporary Korean dramas such as “Lie to Me” where actors Yoon Eun-hye and Kang Ji-hwan are seen cruising along the river in adorable duck boats. Just like Heo Joon-jae (Lee Min-ho) and Shim Chung (Jun Ji-hyun) in popular drama “The Legend of the Blue Sea”, you can also enjoy the spectacular Seoul International Fireworks Festival, held every October in the Hangang Park, by the Han River. If that is not enough reasons to visit, lookout for the Banpo Bridge for the light and water shows. Installed along 570m on both sides of Banpodaegyo Bridge, some 200 lights illuminate the fountain as it sends out dancing, rainbow-colored jets of water in the air in musical harmony.

 

3. A Legendary Love Story Island

Another sight of Nami Island during winter season
Another sight of Nami Island during winter season (sourced from Flickr, user Hannah Perez)

K-drama fans would definitely agree that Nami Island is a “must-visit” destination, as it is home to the globally successful drama “Winter Sonata”. The half-moon shaped island located in the Bukhangang River off the town of Gapyeong, is a perfect day-trip from Seoul. Fans can rent bikes and cycle through the scenic tree-lined bike lane just like how Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo did in the drama. To commemorate the commercial success of the drama, a statue of the main characters can also be found on the island at the spot where they first kissed. Follow the footsteps of the legendary love story and walk under the forest of verdant tress while admiring leaves painted in hues of gold, ruby and amber during autumn. Whether or not you are a fan of Korean dramas, the picturesque natural environment will easily make you fall in love with beautiful Nami Island.

 

4. A Beautiful Reflection of History

Gwanghwamun Gate, the center of attraction in Seoul
Gwanghwamun Gate, the center of attraction in Seoul (sourced from Flickr, user Hojusaram)

Despite its popularity as the world’s leading technology hub with companies like Samsung, the metropolis still maintains its finest Korean historical culture. Gwanghwamun, the largest gate of Gyeongbukgung Palace in Seoul has been featured in dramas of various genres from action to fantasy. One of them being, the exciting scene from “Iris” when Hyun-jun (Lee Byung-hun), Sun-hwa (Kim So-yeon), and Seung-hee (Kim Tae-hee) tried to stop the North Korean terrorist from setting off a nuclear bomb. When at night, the gate is illuminated with lights, making it more impressive and stunning. This was also a background for one of the romantic scenes in the TV series “Queen In-hyun’s Man”. Koreans see Gwanghwamun as an icon of Seoul. The King Sejong bronze statue in the Gwanghwamun square is the main attraction where it portrays the life and achievements of the great man himself during the Joseon Dynasty.

 

5. A Village with New Life of Art

Street art at Ihwa Mural Village (sourced from Flickr, user Wei-Te Wong)
Street art at Ihwa Mural Village (sourced from Flickr, user Wei-Te Wong)

Park-ha (Han Ji-min) walks through Ihwa Mural Village in one of the episodes of “Rooftop Prince” with Yong Tae-yong (Park Yoo-chun) following her at a distance. At one point, she sits down at a beautifully painted staircase. This famous spot in Ihwa Mural Village, initially a residential village, has morphed into a popular spot for photoshoots and filming, gaining popularity among the locals and tourists. Every space and corner of the street is beautifully painted with creative artworks by local artists and university students. Expect to be immersed in the remarkable spaces with mural hunting at the small village on the slopes of Naksan Park.

From day to night, Seoul promises holidaymakers an unforgettable adventure especially walking down the memory lane of Korean dramas. Who knows? You may even bump into your favourite K-drama star! But here are a few tips to keep the energy alive throughout the day. When traveling, have a reliable rated IP68 dust and water resistant smartphone, with amazing front and rear cameras of 16MP and f1.9 lens like the Samsung Galaxy A Series (2017) to capture all those scenic views when exploring the trails of TV and movie sets in Seoul. Also, don’t forget souvenirs and memorabilia from your favourite K-drama!

Are you excited to immerse yourself in the world of K-drama and scream ‘Daebak’? Your chance to wander through these charming sets with three of your friends may just be around the corner with the #A2017LiveUnplanned Instagram Contest.

#A2017LiveUnplanned Contest - 02 Seoul

To participate, simply purchase a Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) or A5 (2017), post either a photo or video of your most YOLO moment on Instagram, and insert a creative caption with the hashtags #A2017LiveUnplanned and #myGalaxyA2017, and tag @samsungmobilemy to be in the running. The most creative submissions will be chosen and winners get to indulge in an unforgettable trip with flight and accommodation sponsored by Samsung!

 Now that the first round to Bali is over, why not try your luck with the second round of the #A2017LiveUnplanned Instagram Contest? Entries for this round have already begun and ends on 6th April 2017.Get creative with your Instagram posts and you might just be on your way with your BFFs to eat, shop and play in Seoul! The full contest runs until 4th May with a chance to win more grand prizes to Phuket, Gold Coast and consolation prizes to Kota Kinabalu and Cherating.

So what are you waiting for? Upload your winning YOLO moments now and start living life unplanned!

For more information on the contest, please visit www.samsung.com/my/a2017liveunplanned.