With the exponential growth of the Korean Wave and culture, it’s not possible that you haven’t heard about K-pop and K-dramas nowadays.
Hallyu or the Korean Wave is the increase around the world of Korean pop culture and entertainment since 1990. It first spread in all Asia and now it is a global phenomenon.
It includes Korean pop music (K-pop) with their numerous girl bands or boy bands and Korean dramas.
PSY with its song “Gangnam Style” and BTS (Bangtan Boys) contributed to the expansion of Hallyu worldwide. A fan base is growing more and more!
That is why Oneday Korea decided to create Hallyu tours and K-drama tours to satisfy the fans and realize their dreams to be closer to their idols.
Here a full guide of what places you can visit with Oneday Korea and what you can expect during our Hallyu or K-drama tours!
Lovers of k-pop and k-dramas, this article is made for you!
Seoul: the megacity of K-pop and K-dramas!
Discover Hallyu in GANGNAM
The main place that represents Hallyu is surely the Gangnam district in Seoul! Gangnam is the administrative area, business hub and the entertainment district gathering major company’s headquarters. This is also where K-pop agencies are located such as JYP, SM, Cube Entertainment, etc.
Our “Discover Hallyu in Gangnam” Tour will make you experience Korean entertainment and culture in Gangnam
accompanied by one of our friendly Oneday Korea guide.
K-style Hub is a nice place to introduce Korean entertainment. Among tourist information and discounted tickets that you can get there, you can experience Korean pop culture by taking pictures with cyber Korean idols or just experience VR. Besides, there is a Korean food Exhibition Hall where you can try traditional Korean dishes. You can even participate in making a traditional paper fan or arts and crafts activities like embroideries.
Along with a part of Apgujeong road, you can walk down the K-star Road. The K-star road presents several Gangnam dolls of the most famous K-pop bands: EXO, Super Junior, SHINee, BTS, Girl’s Generation, and much more. The road starts from Apgujeong Galleria department store along the SM Entertainment Office up to Cheongdam Crossroad. This is where you can see the famous entertainment agencies.
Gangnam is also the fashion district. Garosugil-road is a romantic and artistic road. Garosugil road is also famous for its two-lane road lined with 160 gingko trees. It is the perfect street to find nice cafes, restaurants, designers’ fashion shops, franchised brand shops, flagship stores.
Likewise, you pass by COEX Artium (same building as Starfield COEX Mall), if you are interested in K-pop. COEX Artium welcomes SM Town building, producer agency of EXO, SHINee, f(x), RedVelvet, Girls Generation and Super Juniors and NCT. In this building, you can go to a celebrity souvenir shop, a Hallyu star experience studio (we need to book in advance if you want to visit it, just let us know ), and a performance hall.
Furthermore, Gangnam is the district that many K-pop stars frequent. As a fan, why not drink or eat something in their favorite coffee shops or restaurants? We can stop by SM Pop up cafe.
As Gangnam is also a technology hub, all the biggest company present their headquarters in this district such as Samsung Electronics. You will go to Samsung D’light. It is the display and promotion center of Samsung Electronics. You can have fun with Samsung’s most innovative technologies (state-of-the-art digital technologies). After filling in your name and answering a simple form, you can get your own ID card, with your own personal character according to your personality. You can enjoy a 3-D simulation game, too.
And it’s not all! Are you ready for discovering the best filming locations of the most famous Korean boy band nowadays: BTS!? If you are a fan of BTS then this tour is made for you.
The K-pop revolution caused by BTS
BTS (Bangtan Boys) Film Location Tour
“Fire”, “I Need You”, “Spring Day”, “Blood Sweat and Tears”, “DNA”, and now “Fake Love”, you don’t get tired of these songs, right?These days, BTS (Bangtan Boys) stands for the most popular 7-member Korean boy band around the world! The BTS “wave” spread internationally, and their songs always hit a big success! They are good-looking, they dance well, they sing well and produce catchy songs! How can we not like them?
They make millions of views just a few hours after a music video comes out.
If you are traveling to Korea, why not realize your fan dreams by going to the places they frequent and the shooting locations of some of their music videos? Without forgetting to buy some goodies, accessories or albums of your favorite boy band 😊
During our BTS tour, you can choose the places you want to visit and take iconic pictures reproducing BTS pics.
We take you to Iryeong Station in the North of Seoul, where was shot the introduction of “Spring Day” Music Video. We will take pictures of you recreating the scene played by the handsome Taehyung (alias V).
Alternatively, You can choose to go to Yangpyeong English Village where “War of Hormone” was filmed.
As symbolic places, we go to K-star road in Seoul to see the BTS Gangnam doll and pass by the Big Hit Entertainment building where BTS record their songs and practice their choreographies.
In the area, you can go to the Min’s cafe where BTS like to go. The mother of Chang Min (2AM) runs the cafe. A lovely and cute atmosphere reigns and you can see many pictures of BTS when they visited the cafe.
Another emblematic cafe is &gather cafe where the members of BTS shot an episode of their TV program “Run.” They learned how to be a barista and even created their own beverage (one for each member) that you can try.
If you are hungry, you can have lunch in Laundry Pizza restaurant where the photoshoot of the edition “Her” of Love Yourself took place.
Alternatively, you can go to the Korean restaurant where BTS members often go. It is a small restaurant, but the food is yummy.
Other options are to see the north side of Banpo Bridge where BTS members shot a scene of “Run” in the music video.
Likewise, if you want to have a walk in a Korean park, you can go to Seoul Forest. The forest is vast and has also been the spot for the photoshoot of the album “Love Yourself” for Min Yoon-gi (alias Suga).
What is a k-pop tour if we don’t include shopping? We can bring you to K-pop stores in Myeongdong and also the BT21 store to buy your favorite character created by the members themselves: Tata, Van, RJ, Chimmy, Cooky, Shooky, Mang or Koya. Soo cute!
However, Seoul is also a famous place for being the filming locations of several Korean dramas! We gathered the best spots to see as a fan of the most emblematic Korean dramas.
Goblin: The Lonely and Great God Shooting Location Tour
“Goblin: The Lonely and Great God” is a popular Korean drama, aired on December 2, 2016, in South Korea. Its Korean name is “Dokkaebi.”
If you didn’t watch the drama, here a small summary.
The drama tells the story of Kim Shin (played by the handsome Korean actor Gong Yoo), an unbeatable war admiral who lived during the Goryeo dynasty. The young King Wang Yeo was jealous of him and decided to kill him, influenced by his advisor. After several years, he resurrected into an immortal goblin. The only way to counter the curse is to find his destined bride Ji Eun Tak (played by Kim Go-Eun). However, the problem is that she needs to kill him to break him free. 900 years after, he finally found her, but feelings evolve between the two characters. This is a fascinating love story between Dokkaebi, the Grim Reaper (played by Lee Dong-Wook), and humans.
The tour focuses on two cities: Incheon and Seoul.
After meeting your guide at your hotel, you will first visit the filming locations in Incheon.
We start the tour in Incheon to see the Metasequoia Road where Kim Shin and Grim Reaper save Ji Eun Tak (episode 1) and continue at Cheongna Lake Park where the goblin reveals his secrets to Ji Eun Tak (episode 4). Likewise, we can pass by Jayu Park, first western-style green space in Korea. The park is seen in episode 9 when Ji-Eun Tak accidentally summons Kim Shin.
Still, in Incheon, you can see Hanmi Book Store (seen twice during the drama): in episode 3 where Kim Shin holds a book in the bookstore and in episode 6, where Kim Shin and Ji Eun Talk walk in the alley in front of the shop.
Then, we return to Seoul to have lunch and continue our shooting locations’ exploration.
If you want to live to the full the immersion in Goblin drama, we propose you to have lunch in the restaurant where Kim Shin and Grim Reaper ate ox bone soup to recover from a hangover: Hanchon Seolleongtang (Seolleongtang meaning “ox bone soup”).
In episode 10, do you remember the scene when Kim Shin and Grim Reaper came back home after buying green onions? This scene is hilarious as they walk seriously carrying scallions in their bags. The scene takes place in a graffiti painting tunnel in Sinchon.
If time permits it, we continue this k-drama Goblin tour by walking along the 900m stone-wall encircling Deoksugung Palace. This is where Kim Shin and Ji Eun Tak first met (episode 1).
In the drama, we often see the school of Ji Eun Tak. Actually, the school is Jungang High School designed by Korea’s first modern architects (Jungang High School is not open during the weekday).
Besides, we visit the Olive Chicken BBQ restaurant, where Ji Eun Tak works.
Before your guide drops you off at your hotel, you will pass by Yongdap Station Bridge, located in Seoul Subway Line 2, it has appeared in many notable scenes, like Sunny and Grim Reaper’s first encounter.
Visit the filming locations of your favorite drama Goblin!
Do you want more filming locations in Seoul? Ok, Let’s go!
Sanmotoonge Cafe in Buam-dong was the shooting location of the drama. The 1st shop of Coffee Prince starring Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun Hye.
Hongdae Playground was the shooting location of Love Rain and Gentleman’s dignity.
Sanggojae, the traditional house with modern touches of Park Gae In (actress Son Ye Jin) in the drama ‘Personal Taste’ is located in Bukchon Hanok Village.
As you explore Seoul and the emblematic spots of Korean dramas, you can add new experiences to your trip to Seoul! Here our Korean-style experience tours that can be interested to add at your bucket list of your Korea trip.
If you watched some historical Korean dramas, you might know Hanbok, the traditional Korean outfit.
Hanbok Photo shoot tour (Historical dramas)
Different hanbok can be seen in historical dramas (depending on the period). We offer you to feel like a princess or prince of the past by trying on hanbok. You have a large choice of hanbok, choose the one you prefer. We will visit traditional places like Gyeongbokgung palace and Bukchon Hanok village to take the best pictures ever!
Get your own hanbok photoshoot and create wonderful memories!
K-style Experience & Healthy Market Tour
Skincare and body care are essential in Korea! All k-pop idols are known for taking care of their body as much as possible. Why not you during your trip in Korea?
The first place to start this tour will be the K-style Hub where you can learn how to cook Korean food such as the famous Kimchi. In the center, you can also try on Hanbok and make your own folding fan to keep as a souvenir. Then we will lead towards Gwangjang Market, the oldest market in Korea with over 110 years of history. Besides, it is the first permanent market that opens every day. You can taste Korean street food: mayak gimbap, bindaetteok (mug-bean pancake), sundae (stuffed pig’s or cow’s intestines) and much more.
After a delicious lunch trying all type of Korean food, time to relax with a foot-bathing in Seoul K-medi Center. Likewise, you can rest on a massage bed. Relieve yourself of all your stress! If you want some activity, no worries we have some for you to discover. The center offers to create your own K-medi air freshener and soap made with organic herb.
Furthermore, if you want, you can consult a K-medical doctor to check your body conditions.
You will know more about your body features and physical constitution and will have the opportunity to get acupuncture treatments. If one of the parts of your body is too tensed, the treatment will make it relax and get rid off all the tensions.
Finally, to finish this Healthy K-style tour, you can buy some fresh products (fruits, vegetables), local ginseng products in Cheong-ryang-ri Fresh Product Market and Gyeong-dong Ginseng and Herb Market. Ginseng has many health benefits such as anti-inflammatory properties, boosting the immune system and anti-cancer material.
Give your body a rest and take care of your health in a Korean way!
What is a trip in the traces of K-pop and Korean dramas if you don’t try local Korean food?
Your Foodie Tour in Seoul
In every drama, you can see actors eating a lot. Eating is very important in Korea. Moreover, if you notice while watching a drama, Kimchi is everywhere. Koreans cannot eat without Kimchi! We offer you the opportunity to learn how to make Kimchi by a traditional process called Kimjang.
However, first, let’s go to Tongin market to eat delicious Korean food. The market has been built in 1941, initially for the Japanese residents during the occupation but got back to Koreans after the war. The market has been the shooting location of an episode of Infinite Challenge. The market offers a unique concept for visitors to enable them to try different types of Korean food. You exchange money into ancient coins (called yeopjeon, ancient currency during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties) to fill the lunch tray with the dishes you want to try (You can use the coins in the food booth that shows a specific board).
After a good lunch, let’s make Kimchi in the Kimchi Museum! Learn about the history of Kimchi and learn how to make the famous Kimchi we see everywhere in Korea.
After this unique experience, you need to eat like a real Korean. Your guide will bring you to a Korean restaurant to taste Anju. Anju is the way to eat a meal while drinking alcohol (for example, the combination of chicken & beer or grilled meat & soju). It is a part of Korean drinking culture.
You will try Jeon (pancake) & Makgeolli (rice wine about 6-8% alcohol / Soju is up to 18% – 45% alcohol!). Perfect match!
K-dramas tours outside of Seoul
Historical drama tour
The jewel in the Palace + The moon that embraces the sun + Sungkyunkwan scandal
Our Korean Folk village and Suwon Fortress Castle Tour will show you historical sites that have been used as a set for some Korean dramas.
The first place we present you is Hwaseong Hanggung Palace.
The drama “Jewel in the palace” (Daejanggeum) was shot there.
Aired on 2003, it hit a great success! The drama takes place during the Joseon dynasty, 500 years ago. It tells the story of a girl Jang-Geum who succeeded to be the first woman as a supreme royal physician in a male-dominated society. In a time when women held little influence in society, Jang-Geum strived to learn the secrets of Korean food and medicine and became the personal physician of the King.
As a part of the visit, we will have a walk along the Hwaseong Fortress which has a long royal history. Very impressive fortress!
As well as Suwon palace, the Korean Folk Village in Yongin has a great background regarding Korean dramas. It welcomed “Jewel in the Palace” and the famous historical dramas “The moon that embraces the sun” and “Sungkyunkwan Scandal.” In the village, you will feel like Jang-Geum, Heo Yoon-Woo, Lee Hwon, or the four handsome students of Sungkyunkwan Scandal.
So that you know: “The moon that embraces the Sun” relates the love story between King Lee Hwon (Kim Soo Hyun) and a female shaman named Wol (Han Ga-In).
The Korean Folk Village gathers over 260 traditional houses reproducing a village during the Joseon dynasty. You can find about twenty workshops, various handcrafts such as pottery, baskets, windows, bamboo wares, wooden wares, paper, musical instruments, iron wares. You can attend traditional performances. You can see some part-time actors disguised in Joseon characters such as entertainers, salespeople, and even beggars. They are wandering freely throughout the park looking for interactions with visitors. You travel back in time and experience how was life in the old past.
Enjoy our Korea Folk Village and Suwon Fortress Castle Tour!
Nami Island Petite France Tour
My Love from the Star + Winter Sonata + Moonlight drawn by clouds
Let’s go to see the filming locations of 3 popular Korean dramas in Gapyeong and Chuncheon.
Gapyeong and Chuncheon are home to three emblematic places you should visit if you are a fan of Korean dramas: Nami Island, Petite France, and the Garden of Morning Calm.
Nami Island is a half-moon shaped island located in the city of Chuncheon. It is famous for its romantic and charming landscapes and for being the filming locations of the drama “Winter Sonata.” Winter Sonata tells the story of Jun-sang, an introverted guy who moved to Chuncheon when he was a student. He fell in love with the pretty Yoo-Jin. Unfortunately, their love story didn’t last long as Jun-Sang got injured in a car accident and started suffering from amnesia. As he forgot everything, his mother brought him to the United-States and started a new life becoming a successful architect. He totally forgot his past life in Korea and Yoo-Jin. Ten years later, he returns to Korea and meets Yoo-Jin again. Will Jun-Sang remember his first love and will their feelings come back as they were at the beginning? If you want to know, just watch the drama 😉
It was in Nami Island where their first kiss was shot, and a statue of the two main characters immortalizes the scene.
Nami Island is just the place of a fairytale, offering such lovely spots. For example, the “Forest of Sweethearts” is a really popular spot as it becomes the subject of splendid photos in every changing season.
Then you can visit the village of Petite France, filming location of the drama “My Love From the Star” starring Jun Ji Hyun and Park Hae Jin. It is where the two main characters kissed.
“Love from the Star” tells the love story between the handsome alien Do Min-Joon who arrived on earth 400 years ago and the actress Cheon Song-Yi.
Likewise, the village has also served as a set for the TV Shows “We Got Married” and “Running Man.”
Petite France is a French cultural village set in the Korean countryside! With the 16 French-style houses and lights, you can experience the French way of life such as French Food, clothing and household culture.
Finally, the last place to see can be the Garden of Morning Calm, a 30,000 m² garden. Thousands of flowers cover the garden, and it is a beautiful place to have a walk with your loved one.
While walking, you may arrive at Seohwayeon Pond and its pavilion. It has been one of the shooting locations of the historical drama “Moonlight drawn by the clouds” starring Park Bo Gum and Kim Yoo-Jung. The drama tells the story of a Crown Prince (Park Bo Gum) falling in love with its eunuch Ra-on (Kim Yoo-Jung), who is actually a young girl pretending to be a man. However, the Crown Prince doesn’t know it.
You can see the pavilion in two episodes: the first episode where Princess Myeong-Eun waits there for a letter from her love, and in the third episode when Ra-On suddenly met the Crown Prince while she was watching over the Princess.
Our Nami Island Petite France Tour includes other places to discover and experience to try!
Besides, you can check out our Winter Sonata Tour and Love from the star Tour!
Pocheon Tour
Scarlet Heart Ryeo + The Legend of the blue sea
Pocheon is known for its peaceful environment: calm forests, serene rivers, emerald lakes and endless hills. If you want to experience the nature of Korea without driving many kilometers, then Pocheon is the city for you. An only 1-hour drive from Seoul, Pocheon offers several natural sites. You can have a walk in the Korea National Arboretum, admire beautiful waterfalls and relax at Sanjeong Lake.
However, most of all, you should stop at Pocheon Art Valley that has been the filming locations of two well-known dramas: The Legend of the Blue Sea” (starring Lee Min Ho and Jun Ji Hyun) and “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo” (starring the lovely singer IU, Lee Joon-Gi and other celebrities such as Exo’s member Baekhyun).
The Valley is an old granite quarry and is now a great place to have a break and enjoy beautiful sceneries. You can see it in episode 2 of “Legend of the Blue Sea” when the mermaid Se-hwa tells Dam-ryeong they will see each other again when wish lanterns float in the air.
“The Legend of the Blue Sea,” tells the unrequited love story of Heo Joon-Jae and a mermaid named Shim Cheong. The drama starts in the Joseon dynasty and continues in the present time with the two reborn characters.
“Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo,” tells the story of Ko Ha-Jin/Hae-Soo (IU) who traveled back to the Goryeo dynasty. She falls in love with the mysterious 4th prince Wang So (Lee Joon-Gi). The drama focuses on the relationships between the seven princes and Hae-Soo.
In the first episode of “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo,” Ko Ha-jin (IU) falls into the water, thereby entering a time slip to appear in the Goryeo Dynasty where her adventure in the past starts.
As you may notice, this place seems to be a perfect place for time-traveling and rebirth fate😉
Baekje History & Culture Tour
Scarlet Heart Ryeo + Moonlight drawn by the clouds
The city of Buyeo gathers many relics from the Baekje Kingdom. So, it is the ideal city to film historical drama!
You can see the Busosanseong Fortress located on covers the forested mount of Buso. The fortress has a long history. Furthermore, the Jeongnimsa temple and its five-story pagoda show the unique architecture during the Baekje Kingdom.
You will visit Seodongyo Theme Park, the drama set of “Seodongyo.” The Korean drama ‘Seodongyo’ showcases the love between the king of the Baekje Dynasty and the princess of the Silla Kingdom. This theme park offers a variety of highlights such as the royal residences of Baekje and Shilla, the place where the nobles held their banquets, the commoners’ village, and the nobles’ villages. Besides, the park has also been the filming location of the drama “Moonlight Drawn by the clouds.”
Furthermore, the city is home to Baekje Cultural Land, the largest Korean Historical Theme Park. This place is spread out over 3,276,000 square meters, filled with the trace of Baekje Culture. The park reproduces the village and palaces of the Baekje period. Baekje Cultural Land was used as a filming site for ”Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.”
Now you know what to expect during our K-drama Tours! Don’t think twice and just realize your fan dreams with Oneday Korea!
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