by Marion & Mich KDL

Since our last Saturday Summary, it seems like the world beyond K-Dramaland hasn’t changed much for most of us. We continue to look out from the inside of our homes, through our windows (or stepping out for the occasional run for essentials).

But, believe it or not, K-Dramaland still comes with unmapped territories for us, and continues to make us discover new places — even if (only?) virtually. While some recent dramas are definitely S(e)oul-food for us and take place in favorite staples (that’s you, Find Me In Your Memory!), other currently airing dramas keep us excited and with numerous question marks surrounding their locations. When The Weather Is Fine now finally feels familiar location-wise after a month or so of being introduced to new sites, but it is Meow, The Secret Boy (Where is that park and that café, that part of the Fortress Wall?!) and A Piece of Your Mind (Where is that village in Norway? Is it even in Norway? And where is the recording studio?) that now keep us on our toes here at KDL.

But what counts for us the most is that you are safe and protected, wherever you are, as these two were at that special moment. Stay home, and stay healthy.

OUR HIGHLIGHTS

You might have noticed that we’ve been adding some locations’ opening or establishment date here at KDL for a while now, to better understand when they became important in K-Dramaland. For some, it is difficult to find out, but others reveal that information themselves — just like how we spotted that one of our favourite staples has been around “Since 1995”, thanks to Itaewon Class! The restaurant has even had an Instagram account since February 2018 (actually two), which we’ve only just discovered. Even after at least 55 K-Dramas that have been filmed here, we’re still learning new things about it.

We will also be making occasional updates to our existing locations, just so we keep the information recent and relevant for those who come across it for the first time. For example: did you know that our beloved Cafe Blute now has a new name?

I (Marion) always believed that Sanmotoonge [산모퉁이] was a one-off location reserved for Coffee Prince. So it was quite funny to discover in my My Princess re-watch this month that Park Hae-young and Oh Yoon-joo also had a conversation at this café’s terrace.

OUR FAVORITE STAPLES

One of our favorite K-Dramaland outlooks is back! Eungbong Mountain Park [응봉산 팔각정] might have appeared in dramas we’ve not featured on KDL since Are You Human?, but we are still very happy to welcome it back after its two year hiatus on our site.

Also, one of our favorite staircases has also been making quite a number of appearances just within the first quarter of the year alone. Where else will we see it next?

KISS, KISS, KISS

A perfect scenery for a perfect (?) kiss: Hwanbyokjeong [환벽정 (環碧亭)]

SPOTLIGHT ON AN AREA: ITAEWON

Itaewon, a neighborhood in Seoul’s Yongsan District, should be no stranger if you are a regular visitor to K-Dramaland. It even made our 2017 Most Seen Neighborhood List and a year later, shows like Strongest Deliveryman and My ID Is Gangnam Style made us discover some new sides of this neighborhood. This year’s hit drama Itaewon Class is also set in this neighborhood (and neighboring Huam as well) and we wouldn’t be surprised to welcome it again at the end of this year as one of the 2020 neighborhoods.

Apart from a few new locations to discover, Itaewon Class gives us another introduction to this neighborhood and an idea of how it ticks and feels like. Because as far as we know, it is the first time that a drama character describes and introduces a neighborhood; in this case, Oh Soo-a describes Itaewon to Park Sae-Ro-Yi in a letter like this:

“Have you been to Itaewon before? On October 31 every year, people enjoy this festival from the States here. Apparently they try to comfort the spirits of the dead and ward off evil spirits. People are dressed in strange costumes and bizarre makeup so evil spirits won’t do them harm. The day is Halloween Day. A lot of people come to Itaewon to celebrate Halloween Day. A lot of grownups enjoy this festival in funny costumes. Besides this festival, Itaewon is still an attractive place. There are pretty buildings and a variety of people from across the world, which makes you feel like you’re on an overseas trip. And everyone there looks so free. It’s a place where you can enjoy a walk. It feels like the whole world is condensed into this street. And I fell in love with this place.”

But Itaewon Class did more than the other dramas –or at least so it feels– than introducing us a bit more to Itaewon as a neighborhood and its characteristics. It also marked (together with other dramas, of course) a shift in K-Drama narratives and representations, especially with regard to foreigners and (South Korean) people of color. Only a few years back in K-Dramaland, people of color were signifiers for what had gone bad in South Korea (like in Live Up To Your Name, Dr. Heo when Heo Im discovers 2017 Seoul and colored people with a shock) and white people either had to play the roles of evil, unsympathetic business partners, secret agents and/or military personnel; in other words: intruders one had to deal with by necessity. Tourists only existed in foreign countries (but not South Korea) and even American-Koreans needed to be disciplined about their behavior (which had to become too Americanized so that they were constantly reminded by fellow characters that they were now in South Korea and had to assimilate and got tipps how to do so). Finally, Koreans were no other than native Koreans with the right skin color and family tree.

But not in Itaewon Class. Tourists were great to have (being able to speak English became an asset) and racism was talked about openly and not tolerated. All this could only happen –as this drama told us– because it was set in this very place: Itaewon.

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!

Yoobyeolna! Chef Moon (2020), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Dong Han’s HQ: Asem Tower [아셈타워]
— An Announcement [E1]: State Tower Namsan [스테이트 타워 남산]

Meow, The Secret Boy (2020), ♡ added by Mich KDL
— Nalsaem Design office [E1]: Econet Center [에코넷센터]
— Walking by (1) [E4]: Staircase Sowol-ro [소월로 계단]
— Walking by (2) [E4]: Western Ichon-dong Pedestrian Overpass [서부이촌동보행육교]

A Piece of Your Mind (2020), ♡ added by Mich KDL, unless otherwise stated
— Grandmother’s mansion: Wooilgak [우일각/羽日閣], ♡ added by Marion KDL
— AH Laboratory & Co. building: The Nexen UniverCity [더넥센유니버시티]
— Taking a walk [E1]: Haengdang Skywalk [행당스카이워크]
— Walking down the street [E1]: House Toegye-ro 6ga-gil, ♡ added by Marion KDL
— M Coffee [E1/2]: Bukhansan Atelier — Gwanghwamun Branch [북한산제빵소 광화문점]
— Coming back to Korea [E2]: Incheon International Airport [인천국제공항]
— A walk in a park [E2]: Olympic Park [올림픽공원], ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Dinner with ‘Dawn’ [E2]: Gonbap [곤밥]
— Taking a phone call [E2]: Sinimun Station [신이문역]

365: Repeat the Year (2020), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Crossing over [E1]: Seogang Bridge [서강대교]
— Drawing at night [E2]: Naksan Park [낙산공원]

Nobody Knows (2020), ♡ added by Mich KDL
— Helping a tipsy man [E10 (full ep 5)]: Euljiro 1-ga Station [을지로입구역]

Find Me In Your Memory (2020), ♡ added by Mich & Marion KDL, unless otherwise stated
— Angel Entertainment building: KINA [키나]
— HBN Headquarters [E2 (full ep 1)]: MBC Broadcasting Station Building [MBC문화방송 본사]
— A drama shoot [E2 (full ep 1)]: Luka 511 [루카511]
— Going shopping [E2 (full ep 1)]: Apgujeong-ro [압구정로]
— Cutting off contact [E2 (full ep 1)]: Four Seasons Hotel Seoul [포시즌스호텔]
— Memories rushing in [E2 (full ep 1)]: Staircase Sowol-ro [소월로 계단]
— Playing hooky #1 [E5 (full ep 3)]: Seokyeong Univ. Main Gate Daeil Foreign Language High School Bus Stop [서경대정문.대일외고 버스 정류장], ♡ added by wjdwpdl
— Playing hooky #2 [E5 (full ep 3)]: Nanji Hangang Park [난지한강공원]
— A radio show [E5 (full ep 3)]: MBC Garden Studio [MBC 가든 스튜디오]
— Enjoying the night view [E6 (full ep 3)]: Eungbong Mountain Park [응봉산 팔각정]
— A press conference [E6 (full ep 3)]: CGV Myeongdong Station Cine Library [CGV 명동역 씨네라이브러리]
— Meeting up [E6 (full ep 3)]: Oriole [오리올], ♡ added by wjdwpdl
— Holding a fan-signing [E7 (full ep 4)]: Sangam Cultural Square [상암문화광장]
— Going to the cinema [E7-8 (full ep 4)]: Seoul World Cup Stadium [상암월드컵경기장]
— Getting into the car [E8 (full ep 4)]: Worldcupbuk-ro 54-gil

When the Weather is Fine (2020), ♡ added by Marion KDL, unless otherwise stated
— Road in Bukhyeon: Dowonunhak-ro [도원운학로]
— Hyecheon High reunion [E1]: Cheongchun Seafood [청춘수산], ♡ added by Mich KDL
— Hyecheon City Hall [E2]: Yeongwol County Office [영월군청], ♡ added by Mich KDL
— Log bridge [E2]: Juncheon Seopdali Bridge [주천강 섶다리]
— A hike [E4]: Hwanbyokjeong [환벽정 (環碧亭)]
— Sandeul Bookstore [E5]: Jungang Bookstore [중앙서점]
— Meeting mother #1 [E5]: Cap Coffee [캡커피]
— Meeting mother #2 [E5]: Dotori Brothers [도토리브라더스]

Hyena (2020), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Song & Kim’s Law Firm: State Tower Namsan [스테이트 타워 남산]
— At court [E1]: Seoul Central District Court [서울중앙지방법원]
— Reading polls [E1]: Ilsan Cultural Park [일산문화공원]
— Celebrating a win [E1]: Seogang Bridge [서강대교]
— Having a drink [E1]: Bottega Lounge [보테가 라운지]
— The Raum [더라움]
— Cafe Alver [알베르]
— On the Desk Cafe [카페온더데스크]
— Asosan [아소산 본점]
— Korea House [한국의집 민속극장]

Hi Bye, Mama! (2020)
— Hyun-jung’s bar: Dotori Brothers [도토리브라더스]
— Wolmi Theme Park [월미테마파크]

My Holo Love (2020), ♡ submitted/added by Mich KDL
— Men’s clothes shop [E2]: Customellow — Hongdae Branch [커스텀멜로우홍대점]
— On a short trip [E4]: Aloha Surf Cafe [알로하서프]

Romantic Doctor II (2020), ♡ added/submitted by Chelle
— Odagada: Gogaet Maru Swimter [고겟마루쉼터]
— Dong-joo Mandu [동주 만두] (fictional name)
— Working part time [E3]: Yeoljungboonsikso — Gangnam Branch [열정분식소 강남점]

Itaewon Class (2020), ♡ added/submitted by Marion KDL & Thom Musni
— Jangga Pub CEO’s home [E1]: Sunwoongak Wedding [선운각웨딩]
— Jangga Pub [E6]: Manmankokoro — Hongdae Branch [만만코코로 홍대점]
— Having a heart to heart [E8]: Itaewon Children’s Park [이태원어린이공원]
— “Marudang Restaurant” [E9]: Maruku Kitchen [마루쿠식당]
— “Jojo’s Place” [E9]: Joy’s Parlor [조이의공간]
— Reading a poem [E12]: Geuzy Cozy [게우지코지펜션]
— Leaving Jeju [E12]: Jeju International Airport [제주국제공항]
— A new challenge [E16]: Queens Park [퀸스파크 청담점]

Forest (2020), ♡ added/submitted by Mich KDL
— A coercive meeting [E27 (full ep 14)]: A.Y Lounge Bar [에이와이 라운지]

Hot Stove League (2019-20), ♡ added/submitted by Marion KDL
— Playing dirty [E6]: Bottega Lounge [보테가 라운지]
— Pleading for a return [E9]: Kaldi Coffee [칼디커피]
— Back from training [E11]: Incheon International Airport (ICN) [인천국제공항]
— Cheering up [E11]: Yeoljungboonsikso — Gangnam Branch [열정분식소 강남점]
— Meeting with ex-wife [E14]: Territory [테리토리]
— Reading news [E15]: SMTOWN Coex Artium [SMTOWN 코엑스아티움]

Crash Landing on You (2019-20), ♡ added/submitted by Marion KDL
— Ri Jeong-hyeok’s music school [E5]: Grandhotel Giessbach
— Getting off a tram [E9]: Paradeplatz, Zurich
— Attending a piano concert [E16]: Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa

Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life (2019), ♡ added/submitted by Chelle, unless otherwise stated
— On a date [E49 (full ep 29)]: Beoltoon Manhwa Cafe — Janggi Gimpo Branch [벌툰 장기점] 
— A heart to heart talk [E64]: Naksan Park [낙산공원]
— Warded after an accident [E97-98 (full ep 49)]: The Catholic University of Korea – Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital [가톨릭대학교서울성모 병원], ♡ added by Mich KDL

Secret Boutique (2019), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— [E16]: Territory [테리토리]

Mother of Mine (2019)
— Some me-time [E54]: Wonhyo Bridge [원효대교]

Touch Your Heart (2019)
— Getting teased [E2)]: Worldcupbuk-ro 54-gil

Romantic Doctor I (2016-17), ♡ added/submitted by Chelle
— Odagada: Gogaet Maru Swimter [고겟마루쉼터]
— Dong-joo Mandu [동주 만두] (fictional name)

Laurel Tree Tailors (2016), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Yeon-shil’s apartment: Apartment Building Duteopbawi-ro, Huam
— [E5]: colline [콜린]
— [E6]: Pattern Ethiopia [패턴에티오피아]
— [E6-7]: The Shrine of Mirinae [미리내 성지]
— [E12]: Dalkomm Coffee — Sangam Branch [달콤커피 상암팬엔터점]

Fated To Love You (2014), ♡ added by Lr & Marion KDL
— An urgent meeting [E1]: Birthplace of Empress Myeongseong [명성황후생가]

Queen In-hyun’s Man (2012), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Spaghetti kiss [E15]: Pomodoro [뽀모도로]*
*Check out the listing for more information on other featured dramas.

City Hunter (2011), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Attacking Senator Lee [E3]: Seoul Marina Club & Yacht [서울마리나 클럽&요트]

My Princess (2011), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— First meeting and date [E1+E11]: MBC Dae Jang Geum Park (MBC Dramia)
— Exhibition opening [E1-2]: National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon
— Exhibition preview [E1]: Gyeongbokgung Palace [경복궁]
— Daehan Hotel [E3]: Lotte Hotel Seoul [롯데호텔서울]
— Departure interdiction [E3/E4]: Incheon International Airport (ICN) [인천국제공항]
— Shopping [E5]: Shinsegae Department Store — Main Branch [신세계백화점 본점]
— A date [E11]: Duksung Girls’ High School [덕성여자고등학교]
— A final conversation [E15]: Sanmotoonge [산모퉁이]
— A date [E15]: Apgujeong-ro [압구정로]

Secret Garden (2010-11), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— A stunt job [E20]: Gyeonggi English Village — Paju Camp [경기영어마을 파주캠프]
— A message in a bottle [E20]: Banpo Bridge [반포대교]

Personal Taste (2010), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Breaking up [E1]: Top Cloud [탑클라우드]
— Having a drink [E1]: Ilsan Cultural Park [일산문화공원]
— At work at an convention hall [E1]: COEX [코엑스]

Gourmet (2008)
—Filling hungry stomachs [E24]: Gogaet Maru Swimter [고겟마루쉼터]

5th Republic (2005), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Seoul National University of Science and Technology [서울과학기술대학교]
— A morning job [E1]: Samcheong-ro [삼청로]
— Tanks by [E8]: Gyeongbokgung Palace [경복궁]
— The protest [E14]: Culture Station Seoul 284 [문화역서울284]

Something Happened in Bali (2004), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Pausing while job-hunting [E5]: Cheonggyecheon Stream [청계천]
— Revealing feelings [E5]: Yeouido Hangang Park [한강 공원 여의도 지구]

Empress Myeongseong (2004), ♡ added by Lr & Marion KDL
— Childhood scenes: Birthplace of Empress Myeongseong [명성황후생가]

Kukhee (1999), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Seoul National University of Science and Technology [서울과학기술대학교]

UPDATES TO EXISTING LOCATIONS

— Bang’s Records [방레코드] (moved location as of Dec 2019)
— Cafe Blüte [까페 블뤼테] — Four Seasons House (closed; new tenant in location as of May 2019)
— Chooloop Café [츄룹] (closed; new tenant in location as of Oct 2018)
— Katakomb Lounge Bar [카타컴] (closed; new tenant in location as of Apr 2018)

NEWLY ADDED MOVIES/MOVIE LOCATIONS

JSA: Joint Security Area (공동경비구역 JSA) (2000), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Seoul National University of Science and Technology [서울과학기술대학교]

Memories of the Sword (협녀: 칼의 기억) (2015), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— Baekje Cultural Land [백제문화단지]
— Borinara Hagwon Farm [보리나라 학원농장]

NEWLY ADDED VARIETY SHOWS

MONSTA X’s TWOTUCKBEBE Day [몬스타엑스의 투턱베베와의 하루] (2020)
— Everland [에버랜드]

NEWLY ADDED MVs

MONSTA X — Monsta Truck (special clip for 2020 FanCon)
— C156

NEWLY ADDED TEASERS

The King: Eternal Monarch (2020), ♡ added by Marion KDL
— 2nd Teaser: Gwanghwamun Square [광화문광장]

Kingdom II (2020), ♡ added by Lr
— Changdeokgung Palace [창덕궁]