South Korea K-Drama Tour: Seoul, Jeonju, Gyeongju & Busan - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Seoul, Explore 

Welcome to South Korea! Touch down in the dizzying capital, Seoul, where your driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Get your first glimpse of this futuristic metropolis, a sprawling mass of towering skyscrapers set against decorative Buddhist temples, landscaped sculpture parks, and mazelike street markets. Fashion, tech, and karaoke loom large in Seoul, alongside historical palaces and museums.

Settle in and then spend the rest of the day as you please; rest at your hotel or head out to explore the neon streets of the city. Enjoy a cozy afternoon in one of the many themed cafés, which range from board game venues to cat cafés, wander around the artistic Mural Village, or board a Han River cruise to catch the sunset. To relax, visit a jjimjilbang (bathhouse) to soak in hot pools.

Day 2: Seoul Highlights & K-Drama Tour

Explore Seoul's highlights and delve into Korean drama (K-drama) on today's private tour. Your first stop will be Gyeongbokgung palace, the residence of the Joseon Dynasty's royal family from the late 1300s to 1910. Watch the guard changing ceremony at the Gwanghwamun area, and stroll through the palace's elegant pavilions and halls. The palace was also a filming location for many K-dramas, including "Queen In-Hyun's Man," "The Moon Embracing the Sun," and "Rooftop Prince."

Next, head to the National Folk Museum to learn about Korean culture over the centuries. In the afternoon, you'll visit Bukchon Hanok Village to see the residential area of the Joseon Dynasty's high-ranking officials. With numerous themed museums and galleries, stylish cafés, and teahouses, it's an ideal place to immerse yourself in Korean culture. Stop at photo-worthy spots featured in dramas like "You Who Came From The Stars," "The Heirs," and "A Gentleman's Dignity."

The last stop of the day is Gwangjang Market, a must-visit for foodies and the perfect place to sample South Korea's mouthwatering street food. Try everything from tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and kimbap (Korean sushi with vegetables) to banana milk and bungeoppang (fish-shaped pastries filled with red bean paste).

Day 3: Seoul K-Drama Film Locations

Today you'll explore top K-drama film locations. Start with a trip to Namsan, the largest park in Seoul and home to N Seoul Tower, which has appeared in hundreds of K-dramas, including "My Lovely Samsoon" and "Witch Yoo Hee." Take a cable car or hike to the top of Namsan Mountain for 360-degree views of the city and Han River. Don't miss the love lock fence on the observatory, a favorite local dating spot.

Next, you'll check out KyungHee University. As the most beautiful university in South Korea, it's also the alma mater for many Korean pop stars. Roman architecture, flourishing cherry blossoms, and landscaped lawns make the campus the most romantic film location; "The Classic" and "W" were filmed here.

Continue to Lotte World, which plays the role of Disney World in many K-dramas. The colossal space features the world's biggest indoor theme park, an outdoor amusement park, an artificial island, shopping malls, and movie theaters. Go on thrilling rides like the Bungee Drop and Comet Express and recreate scenes from famous K-dramas like "Stairway to Heaven," "Protect the Boss," and "Hyde, Jekyll, Me." Afterward, return to your hotel for a relaxed evening.

Day 4: Nami Island & European Village K-Drama Spots

Today you'll travel out of Seoul to discover more K-drama hotspots. Your first stop is the Garden of Morning Calm, where each season is reflected in the flowerbeds and hedgerows. Ramble along paved paths connecting 20 different gardens home to around 5,000 plants. Visit spots that appeared in top movies like "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds" starring Park Bo-gum and "She Was Pretty."

Next, you'll head to a French-style village, Petite France, which is themed "Flowers, stars, and the Little Prince" and was built along the coast with typical French architecture. The village appears in dramas such as "Beethoven Virus," "Secret Garden," "Running Man," and the most popular: "My Love from the Star." The neighboring Italia Village, Pinocchio and da Vinci, is also loved for its authentic Italian atmosphere. Peruse Italian furniture and Venetian mask shops, then browse exhibitions and performances based on Pinocchio and the artist Leonardo da Vinci.

In the afternoon, visit Nami Island in the middle of the North Han River. The island is adorned in spring with cherry blossoms, while summer is ideal for lazy picnics on the grassy banks or cycling beneath giant pines. Arrive in the fall, and you'll enjoy stunning foliage with trees in Maple Tree Lane ablaze with fiery oranges and burnished reds. Winter transforms the island into a wonderland, with snow covering the pagodas and birch trees.

Whatever season you visit, stop at the statue that celebrates lead characters Kang Joon-sang and Jeong Yoo-jin, who starred in the classic K-drama "Winter Sonata," partly set on Nami Island. Head back to Seoul for a final evening in the city. Feast on street food and peruse the night markets for souvenirs.

Day 5: Transfer to Jeonju, K-Drama Filming Spots in Jeonju

Say goodbye to Seoul today and travel south to the city of Jeonju. This vibrant hub is known for its traditional architecture and food scene, recognized as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Jeonju is also the birthplace of King Taejo, the founder of the powerful Goryeo Dynasty that ruled Korea from the 10th to the 14th centuries. The city's historic sites often serve as backdrops for TV shows and movies.

The tour begins at Jeonju Hanok Village, home to over 700 Korean hanok houses with slate-tile roofs and mud walls along cobblestone lanes. Continue to the ornate Gyeonggijeon Shrine, which houses portraits of seven Joseon Dynasty monarchs, including the famous King Taejo. Next, you'll visit the 100-year-old Jeondong Cathedral, which features Roman-Byzantine architecture, before ending at the Omokdae Observatory for panoramic views of Jeonju.

Day 6: Transfer to Gyeongju, Bulguksa & Seokguram Grotto Tour

This morning you'll travel east to the coastal city of Gyeongju and embark upon a tour of its showstopping highlights. Known as the "museum without walls," the city is packed with relics from its time as the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom. Start with a visit to Bulguksa Temple, an eighth-century architectural wonder housing six national treasures, including the Dabo-tap and Seokga-tap stone pagodas.

Next, head to the enchanting Seokguram Grotto on Mount Toham, which is famed for its monumental Buddha statue, surrounded by depictions of gods and disciples. This UNESCO-listed landmark was an engineering feat when it was constructed in the eighth century, with mammoth granite blocks transported along a mountain path. Take in views of the city and countryside below before returning to your hotel.

Day 7: See Gyeongju K-Drama Filming Locations

Gyeongju's rich history makes it a popular filming location for K-dramas, stuffed with tombs, temples, palace ruins, and Buddhist monuments. Discover its top film locations, including the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, home to 23 pyramid-like hills where royal tombs from the Silla Dynasty lie. Don't miss Cheonmachong tomb, one of the most renowned with its wooden coffin and collection of burial riches.

Continue with a visit to Asia's oldest astronomical observatory, Cheomseongdae, before ending at Donggung Palace, the former home of the Silla Kingdom's crown prince. Stroll through the palace's gardens to Wolji Pond, crossed by the Woljeonggyo Bridge, which you may recognize from the K-drama "The King: Eternal Monarch."

Day 8: Train to Busan, Gamcheon Culture Village & Taejongdae Park K-Drama Spots

This morning, ride the KTX express train for half an hour to Busan, South Korea's second-largest city, which is nestled among mountain ranges. The port town is loved for its nearby beaches, International Film Festival, trendy cafés, and extensive fish markets. Discover Busan's cinematic side on a fascinating journey through famous movie and drama locations.

Begin at the Gamcheon Culture Village, known as the "Machu Picchu of Busan," which has been featured in "L.U.C.A.: The Beginning" and "A Little Princess." Next, explore the narrow alleys and stairs of Chowon Apartment, which served as the setting for the exciting chase scene in "Decision to Leave." Conclude your adventure at Taejongdae Park and Taewon Pebble Beach, the filming location for Apple TV's original drama "Pachinko."

Day 9: Tour K-Drama Filming Sites in Busan

Your Busan K-drama tour continues today at the elegant Jeongsimjae residence, where you can enjoy sweeping vistas of Haeundae Marine City and Gwangandaegyo Bridge. Next, you'll head to the Nurimaru APEC House, a glassy modern building built to host the 2005 APEC summit, which has become a key city landmark.

The APEC House is near Haeundae, South Korea's most famous beach. This mile-long (1.5 km) stretch of fine sand draws crowds all year round; wander its soft grains and pause for a bite to eat. Your tour concludes at the picturesque Jukseong Catholic Church, perched atop a coastal cliff in Gijang. Afterward, return to your hotel for a final evening in Busan.

Day 10: Depart Busan

Today your South Korea adventure comes to an end, and you'll be transferred to the airport in time for your homebound flight. Safe travels!

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