When planning a trip to South Korea, one of the locales that immediately come to mind is Jeju Island. The volcanic archipelago is hundreds of nautical miles away from the hustle and bustle of Seoul, making it a prime destination for anyone seeking a more laidback vacation in Hallyu land. Some of our most beloved K-drama characters, like Ji Yeong (Lee Yoo Mi) in Squid Game and Hee Do (Kim Tae Ri) in Twenty-Five Twenty-One, have expressed their own desires to visit the province.
Here's some good news: Jeju just reopened itself to Filipino tourists, visa-free! Landing in the famed vacation spot is now that much easier, so it's high time to plan your itineraries and to book those flights. While doing so, why not tune into some dramas that can already give you a glimpse of what it looks like? They'll surely get you all the more excited about your trip!
Here are six K-dramas that were filmed on Jeju Island:
1. Our Blues (2022)
Who else is in it: Lee Jung Eun, Han Ji Min, Kim Woo Bin
Bringing with her a troubled past, Min Seon Ah (Shin Min Ah) escapes to Jeju Island with her only child. She runs into Lee Dong Seok (Lee Byung Hun), a merchant who's lived in the province for all of his life. While at first apprehensive, the two start to peel away at each other's layers, eventually finding solace in one another.
2. Something In The Rain (2018)
Who else is in it: Jang So Yeon, Lee Joo Young, Wi Ha Joon
Yoon Jin Ah (Son Ye Jin) used to see Seo Joon Hee (Jung Hae In) as her best friend's younger brother. However, when she starts to brew some unexpected feelings for him, she gets wary about how onlookers might perceive their "unusual" age gap. Towards the end of the series, Jin Ah gets fed up with her toxic work environment and moves to Jeju Island to open a restaurant.
3. Warm And Cozy (2015)
Who else is in it: Jinyoung, Kim Sung Oh, Lee Sung Jae
Lee Jung Jo (Kang So Ra) hits rock bottom after she loses her job, boyfriend, and apartment in one fell swoop. Utterly distressed, she heads to Jeju Island to take her mind off of things. She dines at the Warm and Cozy restaurant, helmed by the lazy but skilled charmer Baek Gun Woo (Yoo Yeon Seok). The two are polar opposites, but their time on the island leads them to some romantic possibilities.
4. Jewel In The Palace (2003)
Who else is in it: Ji Jin Hee, Hong Ri Na, Kyeon Mi Ri
Back in the Joseon era of South Korea, Seo Jang Geum (Lee Young Ae) overcomes a patriarchal system and moves up the ranks as a royal physician (it's based on a true story, BTW!) Lady Han (Yang Mi Kyung) watches over Jang Geum, and ends up being sent to Jeju Island as government slaves with her.
5. Boys Over Flowers (2009)
Who else is in it: Kim Hyun Joong, Kim Bum, Kim Joon, Kim So Eun
Geum Jan Di (Ku Hye Sun) is an optimistic and driven lass who grew up in a less fortunate family. She fights her way into the prestigious Shinhwa High School, where she bumps heads with the F4, a gang of rich kids led by Gu Jun Pyo (Lee Min Ho). Not one bit fazed by them, she surprisingly finds herself falling for some of the members. Later on, a picturesque wedding on Jeju Island almost occurs.
6. Legend Of The Blue Sea (2016)
Who else is in it: Lee Hee Joon, Shin Hye Sun, Shin Won Ho
Sometime in the 1500s, governor Dam Ryung (Lee Min Ho) sets free a captured mermaid named Shim Cheong (Jun Ji Hyun). In the present day, Dam Ryung seems to have reincarnated into Joon Jae, a smooth-talking con-man. While at a resort, he discovers a washed-up Shim Cheong, whom he seems to recognize from centuries ago.
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