By Marion & Mich KDL
We’re not sure about you, but once again, we’re under the spell of Why Secretary Kim director Park Joon-Hwa (박준화) with his newest release Touch Your Heart. It is fast becoming a favorite of ours, with the reunion of Grim Reaper and Sun– ahem, we mean, Lee Dong-wook and Yoo In-na and just their all-round charm as a budding couple.
The same goes for writer Jung Hyun-jung (정현정) — probably best known for her I Need Romance triology– and her newest drama Romance is A Bonus Book; which is also Lee Jong-suk’s last drama before he heads off for his military service.
OUR HIGHLIGHTS
The past month, we’ve also been pretty busy on the Blog front, with new overviews for A-Teen, Romance Is A Bonus Book and Touch Your Heart, and Part 2 of the Dae Jang Geum is Watching restaurant guide!
Be sure to check them out, and other new posts we have lined up in the coming weeks 🙂 — Marion and Mich KDL
SPOTLIGHT ON AN AREA: CHEONGJU
Cheongju [청주시], the capital of South Korea’s North Chungcheong Province [충청북도], lies more or less in South Korea’s center. Though not as commonly seen in K-Dramaland, it is still central to some K-Dramas. The most recent key site in Cheongju is certainly Sacheondong Catholic Church [사천동성당] where the final count- and shutdown of the AR game Next took place in Memories of the Alhambra (2018-19).
For two other dramas, last year’s Wok of Love and 2014-15’s Healer, Cheongju is the heart of where the action takes place. For Wok of Love, the main scenes were filmed at the Grand Plaza Cheongju Hotel [그랜드플라자 청주호텔] — better known as Giant Hotel in the drama — and the Hwain Building [화인빌딩] that sits just vis-à-vis and housed the restaurant ‘Hungry Wok’ in the same drama.
If you still have Healer feels, a trip to Cheongju is mandatory. Healer’s Loft is here, so is the headquarters of his adversaries.
When visiting, you might want to take the time to also stop by at Gwell City Mall [지웰시티몰], which was seen in Criminal Minds (tvN, 2017); and Cheongwon Police Station [충북청주청원경찰서] as seen in The Third Charm (JTBC, 2018).
For some South Korean history, more drama-pleasure (and history too) and even more Healer feels, it is probably worthwhile to head a little outside of Cheongju, to the city’s south to visit Cheongnamdae Presidential Villa [청남대]; also seen in Healer.
Another trip outside the city, this time to its north-east, will bring you to the House of Unbo [운보의 집] — seen last year in much-acclaimed Mister Sunshine. But it’s relation with K-Dramaland dates at least back a decade as a filming location for The City Hall (2009). It is another central filming location in Healer.
OUR FAVORITE STAPLES
We’re really thrilled to have uncovered another K-Dramaland Japanese restaurant staple (that’s actually not Asosan) — thank you, Touch Your Heart, for helping us track down Matsugaze Japanese Restaurant [마쯔가제]. ♥
KISS, KISS, KISS
This star-crossed couple in Dae Jang Geum is Watching finally savored a winter’s kiss in front of MBC Headquarters [MBC문화방송 본사]…
…while this young couple in Drunk In Good Taste recreated a classic kiss from Secret Garden at Decoa Balim [데코아발림 본점] (at least in his dreams!).
And finally a kiss at a hotel that we owe you since a while.
NEWLY ADDED FILMING LOCATIONS
As always, thanks for following and supporting us on KDL, whether it’s through the daily updates, our special blog posts, or even through submitting a location/photographs! Every contribution helps to grow the largest collection of K-drama locations online — by K-drama fans, for K-drama fans 🙂
Till the next Saturday Summary — read on below to check out the newest location additions from the past month!
The Fiery Priest (2019), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Being a priest [E1]: Yakhyeon Cathedral [중림동약현성당]
Love in Sadness (2019)
— The mansion [E1]: First Garden, Paju [퍼스트가든]
Legal High (2019), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Detention center [E1]: Jangheung Prison Set [장흥교도소 세트장]
The Light In Your Eyes (2019), ♡ added by Mich KDL
— Hye-ja’s house/Happy Beauty Shop: House Yonghyeon 1il 4sa-dong [용현1.4동]
Touch Your Heart (2019), ♡ added by Marion & Mich KDL (unless otherwise stated)
— Yoon-seo’s apartment (Heights Mansion): Hyosung Village [효성빌리지]
— ALWAYS Law Firm building: Korea Listed Companies Association Building [상장회사회관]
— Yeon Entertainment: Mediterium [메디테리움]
— Prosecutors’ office: Inha University [인하대학교]
— Opening scene (1) [E1]: Seongsan Bridge [성산대교]
— Opening scene (2) [E1]: Dongho Bridge [동호대교]
— Opening scene (3) [E1]: Lotte World Tower & Mall [롯데월드타워&롯데월드몰]
— Opening scene (4) [E1]: Gangnam Station [강남역]
— Opening scene (5) [E1]Sinnonhyeon Station [신논현역]
— Dinner [E2]: Pungnyeon Gopchang [풍년곱창]
— Meeting clients [E2/3]: Matsugaze Japanese Restaurant [마쯔가제]
— Cooling down [E3]: Wonhyo Bridge [원효대교]
— Taking a walk [E3]: Sun Moon University [선문대학교 아산캠퍼스]
— Weekend law classes [E4]: Seoul National University of Science and Technology [서울과학기술대학교], ♡ added by a KDL guest
— Scared for a moment [E4]: Sinchon Graffiti Tunnel [신촌벽화터널]
— Discussing a case [E5]: Artinus Farmer’s Table [파머스테이블]
— Visiting a suspect [E5]: Jangheung Prison Set [장흥교도소 세트장]
— Driving past [E5]: Gyeonggi English Village — Paju Camp
— Company dinner [E5]: Mercato Y [메르카토와이]
— Picnic time [E5]: Mulhyanggi Arboretum [물향기수목원]
— A night walk [E5]: Bukchon-ro 5-gil [북촌로5길]
— A piece of pie [E6]: Peace Piece [피스피스]
— Im Yoon-hui’s house [E6]: House Sangsa Village 8-15
— Chasing an intruder [E6]: House Sangsa Village
— Interviewing a witness [E6]: Daedong Super [대동슈퍼]
— Yoon-seo’s favorite eatery [E7]: Chicken Feet Yechan [닭발예찬]
— A written confession [E7]: Ilsan Lake Park [일산호수공원]
— Late night date [E7]: Seoul City Astronomical Observatory [서울시립천문대]
— Discovering the truth [E8]: 57th Cafe Gallery [57th카페]
Romance is a Bonus Book (2019), ♡ added by Marion & Mich KDL (unless otherwise stated)
— An interview [E2]: Hesse Boulangerie 152 [헤세브랑제리152]
— At a distance [E2]: Bookcafe Noon [북카페눈]
— Crossing the road [E2]: National Assembly Station [국회의사당역]
— Dancing & Staying overnight [E1/2]: Cheongna Sparex [청라스파렉스]
— A makeover [E2]: id Hair [아이디헤어]
— Alighting [E2]: Bus Stop Sanun Village 12th Complex [산운마을12단지 정류장]
— Browsing for books [E3]: Bookpark [북파크]
— A potential neighbor? [E3]: Thanks, Oat [땡스오트]
— Learning how to drink [E4]: LP Music Bar Gopchangjeongol [곱창전골]
— Falling in love on a cold day [E4]: Duksung Girls’ High School [덕성여자고등학교]
— Having a drink [E4]: Ssangdaepo Restaurant [쌍대포 본점]
— A very short evening out [E5]: A.Y Lounge Bar [에이와이 라운지]
— Waiting for the author [E5]: Cafe La Mer Bleue [라메블루]
— Heart to heart talk [E5]: Naksan Beach [낙산해변]
— Celebrating a paycheck [E5]: Hongdae Playground [홍대놀이터공원]
— Back here twice [E5/6]: Soba Sikdang — Seongsu branch [소바식당 성수점]
— Dating declaration [E6]: Bookfriends Café [북프렌즈카페], ♡ submitted by Thom Musni
— A dead poet [E7]: House Yonghyeon 1il 4sa-dong [용현1.4동]
— Moonlight Bookstore [E7]: Byeolcheck Bookstore [별책부록 서점]
— Having dinner [E7]: Hwasumok [화수목]
— A shocking lunch [E7]: Babylian Table [바빌리안테이블]
— Making up for the disaster [E8/10]: Royal Saloon [로얄싸롱]
— First snow [E8]: i-Style Cafe
— Running into each other [E9]: Blume Museum of Contemporary Art [블루메미술관]
— Signing the contract [E9]: Art Gallery Café [아트갤러리카페]
— Shopping [E9]: Dongchun175 [동춘175]
Spring Turns To Spring (2019), ♡ all added by Mich KDL
— MBS Broadcasting: MBC Headquarters [MBC문화방송 본사]
— An entertainment company [E1]: WM Entertainment Building [WM 엔터테인먼트]
— Reading the news [E2]: Sangam Cultural Square [상암문화광장]
— Leaving tipsy [E4]: Urban Oasis [어반 오아시스]
— Busking dancers [E6]: Eoulmadang Street [어울마당로]
— Drunk and disorderly [E9]: Ssangdaepo Restaurant [쌍대포 본점]
The Crowned Clown (2019)
— Crown Prince’s chambers: MBC Dae Jang Geum Park (MBC Dramia) [MBC 용인 대장금 파크/MBC드라미아]*
Drunk In Good Taste (2018), ♡ added by Mich KDL
— Cafe ‘Dalda Guri/Sweet Copper’: Twelve Brix [트웰브브릭스]
— Being regulars [E1-2/7]: Space The Beatles [공간비틀즈]
— Neighborhood walks [E1-2]: Gyeongui Line Forest Park [경의선숲길공원 / 경의선공원]
— Welcome BBQ and a new friend [E1]: Kao Kao Pub [카우카우펍]
— A break-up [E1]: Green Cloud Coffee Shop [그린클라우드커피]
—A kiss [E3]: Decoa Balim [데코아발림 본점]
— An afternoon tea treat [E7]: The Jangmee [더 장미]
— Can we date? [E7]: Duksung Girls’ High School [덕성여자고등학교]
Encounter (2018-19), ♡ added/submitted by Marion KDL & Thom Musni
— Welcome drinks [E2]: Morning Pub [모닝펍]
— An ‘art exhibition’ [E5]: Hongnam Bridge [홍남교]
— Sharing secrets [E8]: Siheung Gaetgol Ecological Park [시흥 갯골생태공원], ♡ submitted by Thom Musni
— Being jealous [E12]: Chicken Feet Yechan [닭발예찬], ♡ added by Thom Musni
— Visiting an old friend [E14]: Chungah Park Columbarium [청아공원기독교전용관]
— A date [E14]: Chang Ucchin Museum of Art, Yangju City [양주시립장욱진미술관], ♡ submitted by Thom Musni
SKY Castle (2018-19), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Kei’s home: Buam7 [부암동 7번지]
— Meeting for lunch [E2]: Babylian Table [바빌리안테이블]
— Meeting for lunch no. 2 [E6]: Faro Grand [파로그랜드] (with Mich KDL)
— Meeting for lunch no.3 [E9/10]: Matsugaze Japanese Restaurant [마쯔가제]
— The book incident [E13]: boon docks [분덕스] (with Mich KDL)
— Confirming an unwanted truth [E13]: State Tower Namsan
— A meeting place [E3+10]: KT&G Seoul Office [KT&G서울사무소]
Memories of the Alhambra (2018-19), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— A possible key [E13-14]: Joseon [조선시대]
— Rushing over [E16]: Heunginjimun Gate / Dongdaemun Gate [흥인지문/동대문]
— A final count-down [E16]: Sacheondong Catholic Church [사천동성당]
The Last Empress (2018-19), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Royal glass house: UriKkot Botanical Garden [화성시우리꽃식물원]
— A family date [E49]: Lotte World [롯데월드], ♡ added by deanekitty29
Clean With Passion For Now (2018-19), ♡ added by Marion KDL (unless otherwise stated)
— Chairman Cha’s Mansion
— A retirement [E15]: Bear Tree Park [베어트리파크]
— Going ice-skating [E16]: Lotte World [롯데월드]
— A goodbye drink [E16]: Ssangdaepo Restaurant [쌍대포 본점]
— An abrupt (?) ending [E16]: Siwoo’s Restaurant [시우식당]
— An unheard confession [E16]: Cheonggyecheon Stream [청계천]
Dae Jang Geum Is Watching (2018-19), ♡ all added by Mich KDL
— Walking back after lunch [E6]: Gaon Culture Park [가온문화공원]
— Crashing a lunch [E12]: Bueok Jaengi [부엌쟁이]
— An overdue love confession [E15]: MBC Headquarters [MBC문화방송 본사]
— Health food with a bonus [E25/26]: Dongwon Freshwater Eel [동원민물장어]
— A meeting with kids [31]: Ilmi Sikdang [일미식당]
— Some rapping [E31]: Samildae-ro 26-gil [삼일대로26길]
My Strange Hero (2018-19), ♡ submitted by Thom Musni
— Being angry [E4]: Sinchon Boxquare [신촌 박스퀘어]
Familiar Wife (2018), ♡ added by Mich KDL
— Walking away from a confession [E16]: Bookcafe Noon [북카페눈]
A-Teen (2018), ♡ added by Mich KDL
— Buying a birthday present [E12]: Pangyo H Square [판교 H스퀘어]
— Hakwon [E13/18]: The Feel Edu [더필에듀 국어학원]
— Looking for Kimha’s house [E22]: Gaemi Village [개미마을]
The Third Charm (2018), ♡ added by Thom Musni
— Relieving stress [E5]: Chicken Feet Yechan [닭발예찬]
The Beauty Inside (2018), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Finding refuge [E15]: Buam7 [부암동 7번지]
Why Secretary Kim (2018), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Meeting with a mother [E3]: Art Gallery Café [아트갤러리카페]
— A heart to heart talk [E5]: Woonsan Korean Restaurant
— Lunch with future mother-in-law [E16]: Matsugaze Japanese Restaurant [마쯔가제]
Rich Man (2018), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Bookpark [북파크]
Longing Heart (2018), ♡ added by Mich KDL
— Tricked into a blind date [E1]: colline [콜린]
Hwayuki (2017-18), ♡ submitted by Marion KDL
— Sucked into a movie [E5]: Jeongrangak [정란각]
The Idolmaster KR (2017), ♡ added by AlexeyV
— Knitting gloves [E13]: Bookcafe Noon [북카페눈]
Bride of the Water God (2017), ♡ added by Mich KDL
— Gwangan Bridge [광안대교]
Father Is Strange (2017), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Appa Bunsik [아빠분식]
Chief Kim (2017), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— UriKkot Botanical Garden [화성시우리꽃식물원]
— A threat [E8]: Matsugaze Japanese Restaurant [마쯔가제]
Avengers Social Club (2017), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— BJ Spa [E12]: Cheongna Sparex [청라스파렉스]
Saimdang (2017), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Playing a song [E2]: Obongsan Cliff [오봉산 마당바위]
Goblin (2016-17), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— A kiss at a hotel [E15]: Grand Hyatt Seoul [그랜드하얏트 서울]
Father I’ll Take Care of You (2016-17), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Nearly a date [E13]: Hallyu K-Star Road [한류스타거리]
Jackpot (2016), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— A deadly dare [E5]:Obongsan Cliff [오봉산 마당바위]
Healer (2014-15), ♡ submitted by Marion KDL
— The HQ of the adversaries: s459
— A movie date [E11]: Star City Mall [스타시티몰]
I Need Romance 3 (2014), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Having a fight [E11-12]: Anguk Station [안국역]
That Winter, The Wind Blows (2013), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— An overnight trip [E5]: Moken Resort [모켄 리조트]
Queen Seondeok (2009), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Obongsan Cliff [오봉산 마당바위]
— MBC Dae Jang Geum Park (MBC Dramia) [MBC 용인 대장금 파크/MBC드라미아]*
*Click here to see more shows that featured MBC Dramia.
NEWLY ADDED MOVIES
Champion (챔피언) (2018)
— Bundang Memorial Park [분당메모리얼파크]
A Tiger In Winter (호랑이보다 무서운 겨울손님) (2018)
— Bookpark [북파크]
NEWLY ADDED MVs
GFRIEND’s ‘Rough’ (시간을 달려서) (2016), ♡ added by Mich KDL
— Yeouido Hangang Park [한강 공원 여의도 지구] (with Hangang Railway Bridge and 63 Square in the background)
Super Junior [슈퍼주니어], ♡ added by Chelle
‘Ahora Te Puedes Marchar’ Special Video
— Some Sevit/Sebitseom [세빛섬]
NEWLY ADDED CFs
Jin Ramyeon with Jang Dong-geun (2019), ♡ added by Mich KDL
— Soba Sikdang — Seongsu Branch
