Saturday Summary #49

A Piece of Your Mind (2020, episode 2)

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 cafΓ©, 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

Itaewon Class (2020, episode 12)

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?

My Princess (2011, episode 15)

I (Marion) always believed that Sanmotoonge [μ‚°λͺ¨ν‰μ΄] 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 cafΓ©’s terrace.

OUR FAVORITE STAPLES

Find Me In Your Memory (2020, episode 6)

One of our favorite K-Dramaland outlooks is back! Eungbong Mountain Park [응봉산 νŒ”κ°μ •] 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.

Meow, The Secret Boy (2020, episode 4)

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

When The Weather Is Fine (2020, episode 4)

A perfect scenery for a perfect (?) kiss: Hwanbyokjeong [ν™˜λ²½μ • (η’°η’§δΊ­)]

SPOTLIGHT ON AN AREA: ITAEWON

Itaewon Class (2020, episode 2)

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.

Itaewon Class (2020, episode 4)

NEWLY ADDED FILMING LOCATIONS

Hyena (2020, episode 1)

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 πŸ™‚

Till the next Saturday Summary — read on below to check out the newest location additions from the past month!

Yoobyeolna! Chef Moon (2020), β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” Dong Han’s HQ: Asem Tower [μ•„μ…ˆνƒ€μ›Œ]
β€” An Announcement [E1]: State Tower Namsan [μŠ€ν…Œμ΄νŠΈ νƒ€μ›Œ 남산]

Meow, The Secret Boy (2020), β™‘ added by Mich KDL
β€” Nalsaem Design office [E1]: Econet Center [에코넷센터]
β€” Walking by (1) [E4]: Staircase Sowol-ro [μ†Œμ›”λ‘œ 계단]
β€” Walking by (2) [E4]: Western Ichon-dong Pedestrian Overpass [μ„œλΆ€μ΄μ΄Œλ™λ³΄ν–‰μœ‘κ΅]

A Piece of Your Mind (2020), β™‘ added by Mich KDL, unless otherwise stated
β€” Grandmother’s mansion: Wooilgak [우일각/ηΎ½ζ—₯ι–£], β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” AH Laboratory & Co. building: The Nexen UniverCity [더λ„₯μ„Όμœ λ‹ˆλ²„μ‹œν‹°]
β€” Taking a walk [E1]: Haengdang Skywalk [ν–‰λ‹ΉμŠ€μΉ΄μ΄μ›Œν¬]
β€” Walking down the street [E1]: House Toegye-ro 6ga-gil, β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” M Coffee [E1/2]: Bukhansan Atelier — Gwanghwamun Branch [λΆν•œμ‚°μ œλΉ΅μ†Œ 광화문점]
β€” Coming back to Korea [E2]: Incheon International Airport [μΈμ²œκ΅­μ œκ³΅ν•­]
β€” A walk in a park [E2]: Olympic Park [μ˜¬λ¦Όν”½κ³΅μ›], β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” Dinner with ‘Dawn’ [E2]: Gonbap [κ³€λ°₯]
β€” Taking a phone call [E2]: Sinimun Station [신이문역]

365: Repeat the Year (2020, episode 2)

365: Repeat the Year (2020), β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” Crossing over [E1]: Seogang Bridge [μ„œκ°•λŒ€κ΅]
β€” Drawing at night [E2]: Naksan Park [낙산곡원]

Nobody Knows (2020), β™‘ added by Mich KDL
β€” Helping a tipsy man [E10 (full ep 5)]: Euljiro 1-ga Station [μ„μ§€λ‘œμž…κ΅¬μ—­]

Find Me In Your Memory (2020), β™‘ added by Mich & Marion KDL, unless otherwise stated
β€” Angel Entertainment building: KINA [ν‚€λ‚˜]
β€” HBN Headquarters [E2 (full ep 1)]: MBC Broadcasting Station Building [MBC문화방솑 본사]
β€” A drama shoot [E2 (full ep 1)]: Luka 511 [루카511]
β€” Going shopping [E2 (full ep 1)]: Apgujeong-ro [μ••κ΅¬μ •λ‘œ]
β€” Cutting off contact [E2 (full ep 1)]: Four Seasons Hotel Seoul [ν¬μ‹œμ¦ŒμŠ€ν˜Έν…”]
β€” Memories rushing in [E2 (full ep 1)]: Staircase Sowol-ro [μ†Œμ›”λ‘œ 계단]
β€” Playing hooky #1 [E5 (full ep 3)]: Seokyeong Univ. Main Gate Daeil Foreign Language High School Bus Stop [μ„œκ²½λŒ€μ •λ¬Έ.λŒ€μΌμ™Έκ³  λ²„μŠ€ μ •λ₯˜μž₯], β™‘ added by wjdwpdl
β€” Playing hooky #2 [E5 (full ep 3)]: Nanji Hangang Park [λ‚œμ§€ν•œκ°•κ³΅μ›]
β€” A radio show [E5 (full ep 3)]: MBC Garden Studio [MBC κ°€λ“  μŠ€νŠœλ””μ˜€]
β€” Enjoying the night view [E6 (full ep 3)]: Eungbong Mountain Park [응봉산 νŒ”κ°μ •]
β€” A press conference [E6 (full ep 3)]: CGV Myeongdong Station Cine Library [CGV λͺ…동역 μ”¨λ„€λΌμ΄λΈŒλŸ¬λ¦¬]
β€” Meeting up [E6 (full ep 3)]: Oriole [였리올], β™‘ added by wjdwpdl
β€” Holding a fan-signing [E7 (full ep 4)]: Sangam Cultural Square [상암문화광μž₯]
β€” Going to the cinema [E7-8 (full ep 4)]: Seoul World Cup Stadium [μƒμ•”μ›”λ“œμ»΅κ²½κΈ°μž₯]
β€” Getting into the car [E8 (full ep 4)]: Worldcupbuk-ro 54-gil

When The Weather Is Fine (2020, episode 5)

When the Weather is Fine (2020), β™‘ added by Marion KDL, unless otherwise stated
β€” Road in Bukhyeon: Dowonunhak-ro [λ„μ›μš΄ν•™λ‘œ]
β€” Hyecheon High reunion [E1]: Cheongchun Seafood [μ²­μΆ˜μˆ˜μ‚°], β™‘ added by Mich KDL
β€” Hyecheon City Hall [E2]: Yeongwol County Office [μ˜μ›”κ΅°μ²­], β™‘ added by Mich KDL
β€” Log bridge [E2]: Juncheon Seopdali Bridge [μ£Όμ²œκ°• 섢닀리]
β€” A hike [E4]: Hwanbyokjeong [ν™˜λ²½μ • (η’°η’§δΊ­)]
β€” Sandeul Bookstore [E5]: Jungang Bookstore [μ€‘μ•™μ„œμ ]
β€” Meeting mother #1 [E5]: Cap Coffee [캑컀피]
β€” Meeting mother #2 [E5]: Dotori Brothers [λ„ν† λ¦¬λΈŒλΌλ”μŠ€]

Hyena (2020), β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” Song & Kim’s Law Firm: State Tower Namsan [μŠ€ν…Œμ΄νŠΈ νƒ€μ›Œ 남산]
β€” At court [E1]: Seoul Central District Court [μ„œμšΈμ€‘μ•™μ§€λ°©λ²•μ›]
β€” Reading polls [E1]: Ilsan Cultural Park [일산문화곡원]
β€” Celebrating a win [E1]: Seogang Bridge [μ„œκ°•λŒ€κ΅]
β€” Having a drink [E1]: Bottega Lounge [λ³΄ν…Œκ°€ λΌμš΄μ§€]
β€” The Raum [더라움]
β€” Cafe Alver [μ•Œλ² λ₯΄]
β€” On the Desk Cafe [μΉ΄νŽ˜μ˜¨λ”λ°μŠ€ν¬]
β€” Asosan [μ•„μ†Œμ‚° 본점]
β€” Korea House [ν•œκ΅­μ˜μ§‘ 민속극μž₯]

Hi Bye, Mama! (2020)
β€” Hyun-jung’s bar: Dotori Brothers [λ„ν† λ¦¬λΈŒλΌλ”μŠ€]
β€” Wolmi Theme Park [μ›”λ―Έν…Œλ§ˆνŒŒν¬]

My Holo Love (2020, episode 4)

My Holo Love (2020), β™‘ submitted/added by Mich KDL
β€” Men’s clothes shop [E2]: Customellow — Hongdae Branch [μ»€μŠ€ν…€λ©œλ‘œμš°ν™λŒ€μ ]
β€” On a short trip [E4]: Aloha Surf Cafe [μ•Œλ‘œν•˜μ„œν”„]

Romantic Doctor II (2020), β™‘ added/submitted by Chelle
β€” Odagada: Gogaet Maru Swimter [κ³ κ²Ÿλ§ˆλ£¨μ‰Όν„°]
β€” Dong-joo Mandu [동주 λ§Œλ‘] (fictional name)
β€” Working part time [E3]: Yeoljungboonsikso — Gangnam Branch [μ—΄μ •λΆ„μ‹μ†Œ 강남점]

Itaewon Class (2020), β™‘ added/submitted by Marion KDL & Thom Musni
β€” Jangga Pub CEO’s home [E1]: Sunwoongak Wedding [μ„ μš΄κ°μ›¨λ”©]
β€” Jangga Pub [E6]: Manmankokoro — Hongdae Branch [λ§Œλ§Œμ½”μ½”λ‘œ ν™λŒ€μ ]
β€” Having a heart to heart [E8]: Itaewon Children’s Park [μ΄νƒœμ›μ–΄λ¦°μ΄κ³΅μ›]
β€” “Marudang Restaurant” [E9]: Maruku Kitchen [λ§ˆλ£¨μΏ μ‹λ‹Ή]
β€” “Jojo’s Place” [E9]: Joy’s Parlor [μ‘°μ΄μ˜κ³΅κ°„]
β€” Reading a poem [E12]: Geuzy Cozy [κ²Œμš°μ§€μ½”μ§€νŽœμ…˜]
β€” Leaving Jeju [E12]: Jeju International Airport [μ œμ£Όκ΅­μ œκ³΅ν•­]
β€” A new challenge [E16]: Queens Park [ν€ΈμŠ€νŒŒν¬ 청담점]

Forest (2020), β™‘ added/submitted by Mich KDL
β€” A coercive meeting [E27 (full ep 14)]: A.Y Lounge Bar [에이와이 λΌμš΄μ§€]

Hot Stove League (2019-20, episode 11)

Hot Stove League (2019-20), β™‘ added/submitted by Marion KDL
β€” Playing dirty [E6]: Bottega Lounge [λ³΄ν…Œκ°€ λΌμš΄μ§€]
β€” Pleading for a return [E9]: Kaldi Coffee [칼디컀피]
β€” Back from training [E11]: Incheon International Airport (ICN) [μΈμ²œκ΅­μ œκ³΅ν•­]
β€” Cheering up [E11]: Yeoljungboonsikso — Gangnam Branch [μ—΄μ •λΆ„μ‹μ†Œ 강남점]
β€” Meeting with ex-wife [E14]: Territory [ν…Œλ¦¬ν† λ¦¬]
β€” Reading news [E15]: SMTOWN Coex Artium [SMTOWN μ½”μ—‘μŠ€μ•„ν‹°μ›€]

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

Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life (2019), β™‘ added/submitted by Chelle, unless otherwise stated
β€” On a date [E49 (full ep 29)]: Beoltoon Manhwa Cafe — Janggi Gimpo Branch [벌툰 μž₯기점]Β 
β€” A heart to heart talk [E64]: Naksan Park [낙산곡원]
β€” Warded after an accident [E97-98 (full ep 49)]: The Catholic University of Korea – Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital [κ°€ν†¨λ¦­λŒ€ν•™κ΅μ„œμšΈμ„±λͺ¨ 병원], β™‘ added by Mich KDL

Secret Boutique (2019), β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” [E16]: Territory [ν…Œλ¦¬ν† λ¦¬]

Mother of Mine (2019)
β€” Some me-time [E54]: Wonhyo Bridge [μ›νš¨λŒ€κ΅]

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

Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim (2016-17)

Romantic Doctor I (2016-17), β™‘ added/submitted by Chelle
β€” Odagada: Gogaet Maru Swimter [κ³ κ²Ÿλ§ˆλ£¨μ‰Όν„°]
β€” Dong-joo Mandu [동주 λ§Œλ‘] (fictional name)

Laurel Tree Tailors (2016), β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” Yeon-shil’s apartment: Apartment Building Duteopbawi-ro, Huam
β€” [E5]: colline [콜린]
β€” [E6]: Pattern Ethiopia [νŒ¨ν„΄μ—ν‹°μ˜€ν”Όμ•„]
β€” [E6-7]: The Shrine of Mirinae [미리내 μ„±μ§€]
β€” [E12]: Dalkomm Coffee — Sangam Branch [달콀컀피 μƒμ•”νŒ¬μ—”ν„°μ ]

Fated To Love You (2014), β™‘ added by Lr & Marion KDL
β€” An urgent meeting [E1]: Birthplace of Empress Myeongseong [λͺ…성황후생가]

Queen In-hyun’s Man (2012), β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” Spaghetti kiss [E15]: Pomodoro [λ½€λͺ¨λ„λ‘œ]*
*Check out the listing for more information on other featured dramas.

City Hunter (2011), β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” Attacking Senator Lee [E3]: Seoul Marina Club & Yacht [μ„œμšΈλ§ˆλ¦¬λ‚˜ 클럽&μš”νŠΈ]

My Princess (2011), β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” First meeting and date [E1+E11]: MBC Dae Jang Geum Park (MBC Dramia)
β€” Exhibition opening [E1-2]: National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon
β€” Exhibition preview [E1]: Gyeongbokgung Palace [경볡ꢁ]
β€” Daehan Hotel [E3]: Lotte Hotel Seoul [λ‘―λ°ν˜Έν…”μ„œμšΈ]
β€” Departure interdiction [E3/E4]: Incheon International Airport (ICN) [μΈμ²œκ΅­μ œκ³΅ν•­]
β€” Shopping [E5]: Shinsegae Department Store — Main Branch [신세계백화점 본점]
β€” A date [E11]: Duksung Girls’ High School [λ•μ„±μ—¬μžκ³ λ“±ν•™κ΅]
β€” A final conversation [E15]: Sanmotoonge [μ‚°λͺ¨ν‰μ΄]
β€” A date [E15]: Apgujeong-ro [μ••κ΅¬μ •λ‘œ]

Secret Garden (2010-11), β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” A stunt job [E20]: Gyeonggi English Village — Paju Camp [κ²½κΈ°μ˜μ–΄λ§ˆμ„ νŒŒμ£ΌμΊ ν”„]
β€” A message in a bottle [E20]: Banpo Bridge [λ°˜ν¬λŒ€κ΅]

Personal Taste (2010), β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” Breaking up [E1]: Top Cloud [νƒ‘ν΄λΌμš°λ“œ]
β€” Having a drink [E1]: Ilsan Cultural Park [일산문화곡원]
β€” At work at an convention hall [E1]: COEX [μ½”μ—‘μŠ€]

Gourmet (2008)
β€”Filling hungry stomachs [E24]: Gogaet Maru Swimter [κ³ κ²Ÿλ§ˆλ£¨μ‰Όν„°]

5th Republic (2005), β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” Seoul National University of Science and Technology [μ„œμšΈκ³Όν•™κΈ°μˆ λŒ€ν•™κ΅]
β€” A morning job [E1]: Samcheong-ro [μ‚Όμ²­λ‘œ]
β€” Tanks by [E8]: Gyeongbokgung Palace [경볡ꢁ]
β€” The protest [E14]: Culture Station Seoul 284 [λ¬Έν™”μ—­μ„œμšΈ284]

Something Happened in Bali (2004), β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” Pausing while job-hunting [E5]: Cheonggyecheon Stream [μ²­κ³„μ²œ]
β€” Revealing feelings [E5]: Yeouido Hangang Park [ν•œκ°• 곡원 μ—¬μ˜λ„ 지ꡬ]

Empress Myeongseong (2004), β™‘ added by Lr & Marion KDL
β€” Childhood scenes: Birthplace of Empress Myeongseong [λͺ…성황후생가]

Kukhee (1999), β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” Seoul National University of Science and Technology [μ„œμšΈκ³Όν•™κΈ°μˆ λŒ€ν•™κ΅]

UPDATES TO EXISTING LOCATIONS

My First First Love (2019, episode 9)

β€” Bang’s Records [λ°©λ ˆμ½”λ“œ] (moved location as of Dec 2019)
β€” Cafe BlΓΌte [까페 λΈ”λ€Όν…Œ] — Four Seasons HouseΒ (closed; new tenant in location as of May 2019)
β€” Chooloop CafΓ© [μΈ„λ£Ή] (closed; new tenant in location as of Oct 2018)
β€” Katakomb Lounge Bar [카타컴] (closed; new tenant in location as of Apr 2018)

NEWLY ADDED MOVIES/MOVIE LOCATIONS

JSA: Joint Security Area (곡동경비ꡬ역 JSA) (2000), β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” Seoul National University of Science and Technology [μ„œμšΈκ³Όν•™κΈ°μˆ λŒ€ν•™κ΅]

Memories of the Sword (ν˜‘λ…€: 칼의 κΈ°μ–΅) (2015), β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” Baekje Cultural Land [λ°±μ œλ¬Έν™”λ‹¨μ§€]
β€” Borinara Hagwon Farm [λ³΄λ¦¬λ‚˜λΌ 학원농μž₯]

NEWLY ADDED VARIETY SHOWS

MONSTA X TWOTUCKBEBE Day (2020, ep 7)

MONSTA X’s TWOTUCKBEBE Day [λͺ¬μŠ€νƒ€μ—‘μŠ€μ˜ νˆ¬ν„±λ² λ² μ™€μ˜ ν•˜λ£¨] (2020)
β€” Everland [μ—λ²„λžœλ“œ]

NEWLY ADDED MVs

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

NEWLY ADDED TEASERS

The King: Eternal Monarch (2020, 2nd Teaser)

The King: Eternal Monarch (2020), β™‘ added by Marion KDL
β€” 2nd Teaser: Gwanghwamun Square [κ΄‘ν™”λ¬Έκ΄‘μž₯]

Kingdom II (2020), β™‘ added by Lr
β€” Changdeokgung Palace [창덕ꢁ]

What are you looking for?