Gyeongju, the ancient capital city located in North Gyeongsang Province, has established itself as one of South Korea's most coveted filming destinations for both historical dramas and contemporary romantic series. As the city prepares to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting from October 31 to November 1 - marking only the second time Korea has hosted this prestigious event - global attention is turning toward this historic locale that has captivated filmmakers and audiences worldwide with its rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes.
The city's appeal extends far beyond serving as a mere backdrop for television productions. According to the production team of MBC's acclaimed historical drama "The Great Queen Seondeok" (2009), Gyeongju's majestic yet intimate atmosphere enabled them to convey emotional depth that transcended the historical narrative itself. Korean-Chinese film director Zhang Lu, who filmed his movie "Gyeongju" (2014) in the namesake city, emphasized this unique quality, stating, "Walking through Gyeongju, you can feel layers of time and emotion merging in the spaces themselves. That sense of history naturally seeps into the film." This distinctive blend of ancient heritage and cinematic allure has made Gyeongju the filming location of choice for numerous popular K-dramas, from "Princess Hours" (2006) and "The Great Queen Seondeok" to "Mr. Sunshine" (2018) and "The Beauty Inside" (2018).
Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond stand as perhaps the most iconic filming location within Gyeongju's historic landscape. Originally serving as the secondary palace of the Silla Kingdom (57 BCE-935 CE), this site functioned as both the residence of crown princes and the venue for grand royal banquets. The location transforms dramatically throughout the day - reflecting Korea's ancient heritage during daylight hours and becoming a dreamlike backdrop at night when moonlight creates shimmering reflections across the water's surface.
The site gained international recognition through its appearance in "Princess Hours," the romance drama that helped ignite the global K-drama phenomenon. Set in a fictional monarchy descended from the Joseon Dynasty, the series followed a high school girl played by Yoon Eun-hye who finds herself thrust into an arranged marriage with the crown prince, portrayed by Ju Ji-hoon. Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond served as the royal family's private garden, providing an ideal backdrop that perfectly complemented the drama's blend of romance and regal sophistication. The location has since become a favorite setting for romantic scenes, most notably in the drama adaptation of "The Beauty Inside," where a top actor who transforms into different people for one week each month, played by Seo Hyun-jin, shares a quiet evening with an airline executive who cannot recognize faces, played by Lee Min-ki. Their moonlit encounter at the pond became one of the series' most emotionally resonant scenes.
Samneung Forest, located on the western foothills of Mount Nam in Gyeongju, offers a completely different but equally compelling filming environment. Known for its distinctive twisted pine trees that are often shrouded in mist and bathed in golden sunlight, this woodland gained widespread recognition after appearing prominently in the tvN historical drama "Mr. Sunshine." The series tells the compelling story of Eugene Choi, played by Lee Byung-hun, who was born into slavery during the Joseon era, escaped to the United States, joined the American military, and returned to Korea just before Japanese colonization. The character's love story with Go Ae-shin, portrayed by Kim Tae-ri, an aristocrat secretly working as a freedom fighter, unfolds against this dramatic natural backdrop.
The forest served as a crucial filming location for the show's opening episode, featuring an intense chase sequence where young Eugene flees from slave hunters. The peaceful ancient pine trees provided an emotional counterpoint to this dramatic moment, effectively conveying both his desperate desire for freedom and the profound sadness of leaving his homeland behind. Samneung Forest also appeared in "The Great Queen Seondeok," where it served as the setting for a pivotal scene in which the young queen survives a desert sandstorm and emerges to reclaim her identity as a Silla princess. In later episodes, the woodland takes on symbolic significance as the spiritual setting where she determines her own destiny and resolves to recover her royal authority. Beyond its fame as a filming location, the grove has attracted photographers and artists worldwide, with a photograph by renowned artist Bae Bien-u even being sold at Sotheby's to Elton John, highlighting its exceptional artistic appeal.
Mount Obong provides yet another dramatic filming location, particularly its flat rock formation known as Madangbawi. This location was featured prominently in the recent hit drama "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" (2025), which follows a Michelin-starred restaurant chef played by Lim Yoon-a who suddenly finds herself transported back to the Joseon era. The series opens with her awakening in a forest where she encounters a fearsome tyrant prince, portrayed by Lee Chae-min, during his hunting expedition, leading to a tense moment as they tumble together off a cliff.
This breathtaking cliff scene from the drama's first episode was filmed at Madangbawi, a broad rock terrace situated near the summit of Mount Obong on Gyeongju's western edge. The flat, expansive rock formation is remarkably large, capable of accommodating over one hundred people simultaneously. Its dramatic mountain terrain and spectacular cliffside scenery have established it as a popular filming site for numerous intense and memorable drama moments. The stunning landscape of Madangbawi has also been featured in other historical productions, including "The Great Queen Seondeok" and "Dong Yi" (2010).
Oreung Tombs, also known as the Five Royal Tombs of Silla, represents another significant filming location currently being utilized for the upcoming MBC drama "The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife" (working title). This highly anticipated series, featuring another fictional constitutional monarchy setting, uses the site as a backdrop for royal scenes, with the natural scenery enhancing both the majesty and mysterious atmosphere surrounding the royal family. The cluster of five ancient burial mounds from the Silla era is believed to contain the final resting places of four kings and one queen, including Hyeokgeose (69 BCE-4 CE), the founder of the Silla Kingdom. As part of the UNESCO-listed Gyeongju Historic Areas, this location carries profound historical significance.
The upcoming drama stars IU and Byeon Woo-seok and is scheduled for release next year. According to reports, the production team filmed scenes at the serene Oreung Tombs specifically to depict the solitude of Prince Yi Ahn, played by Byeon Woo-seok. This strategic use of the location demonstrates how Gyeongju's historic sites continue to provide filmmakers with authentic settings that enhance both the visual appeal and emotional depth of their productions, ensuring the city's continued prominence as a premier destination for Korean drama production.
