Text / MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department
The Korean drama "My Love from the Star" was a hit in Korea, and a craze for "aliens" swept through Taiwan. The drama not only set astonishing viewership records in Korea but also took Asia by storm, achieving unprecedented success for a Korean drama. The clothing, accessories worn by the male and female leads, and even the filming locations became the focus of attention for fans, with many women imitating "Cheon Song-yi Style." A classic line from the show — “How can there be the first snow without fried chicken and beer?” — quickly became one of the hottest topics of the season. Take advantage of this nationwide star-chasing trend and follow global hotel booking service provider Hotels.com to Korea to visit the actual filming spots and experience the romantic scenes both on and off screen.
"My Love from the Star" has recently sparked a new wave of Korean drama fever in Taiwan. (Image source / from dakdown.net)
Filming Location 1: South Gyeongsang Province
Do you remember where the alien male lead first landed on Earth? That filming location is Korea’s second-largest island — Geoje Island, located in South Gyeongsang Province. It is a tourist destination where enchanting natural scenery and a long history shine together, most famously featuring Haegwangjeong, the pebble beach, and the Overseas Chinese Farm. Also located in South Gyeongsang Province, Tongdo Fantasia, the largest theme park in the region with about 30 different rides including a swimming pool, natural lake, mini zoo, wild botanical garden, and grass sledding slope, served as the filming spot where the second male lead, Lee Hwi-kyung, confessed his love to the female lead, Cheon Song-yi. (Image source / from southkoreaetc.blogspot.tw)
Filming Location 2: Incheon
The place where the female lead attended class and the male lead taught was Korea’s national comprehensive university — Incheon National University, located in the heart of Songdo International City in the Incheon Free Economic Zone. Fans can visit this international top-tier university to relive scenes from the drama. The male lead, Do Min-joon, traveled from outer space to Korea 400 years ago and lived through to the modern day, so the time-travel storyline naturally included museums as filming locations. The Incheon Municipal Museum, known for its local historical exhibits, was transformed into the university museum in the drama. (Image source / from ko.wikipedia.org)
Filming Location 3: Gyeonggi Province
The national Banghwa Mountain Natural Rest Forest may be an unfamiliar name to travelers, but it is one of the important filming locations in the drama. The camping scene between Do Min-joon and Cheon Song-yi was shot here, with its snow-covered landscape so beautiful it’s intoxicating, making it a great place for leisurely camping. Gyeonggi Province is also home to the famous Petite France, and its Little Prince Memorial Village was the filming location for the emotional final scene of episode 15. Here, you can step into the whimsical world of The Little Prince and experience a cultural village in Korea that offers European-style culture, architecture, French crafts, and more. (Image source / from media.campuslife.co.kr)
Food Filming Location: Dongdaemun, Seoul
The café often visited by Do Min-joon and his lawyer friend is the 60-year-old Hyorim Tea House, an old coffee shop near Dongdaemun that exudes a quaint charm and unique elegance. During filming, the original photos of foreign artists on the walls were replaced with those of veteran Korean artists, and a latticework screen was added down the hallway — clearly a thoughtful touch. The female lead’s favorite udon noodles were shot at a popular little shop near City Hall called “Pot Udon,” a small eatery that frequently appears on TV food shows and is quite famous. Fans might want to go and “taste” it for themselves. (Image source / from gabrielowl.wordpress.com)
For accommodations at these various filming spots, Hotels.com recommends the Pullman Hotel & Resort in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province; the Incheon Royal Hotel near Incheon Metropolitan City and the Munhak Sports Complex; the Bundang Partner Guesthouse in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province; and the Ramada Seoul Dongdaemun in Dongdaemun, Seoul.
● Further Reading:
Starting from Busan, Explore 6 Cities in Southern Korea at a Leisurely Pace
www.mook.com.tw/article.php?op=articleinfo&articleid=9386