K-Drama Tour Through South Korea: Seoul, Jeonju, Daegu & Mungyeong - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Seoul, Myegondong Street Food

Welcome to Seoul! You'll spend the next nine days living out your K-drama fantasies, starting in the South Korean capital. Located in the north of this small country, Seoul is a sprawling megalopolis that is known for striking a balance between nature and metropolitan sprawl. K-drama and Korean films were born here, which is one reason why the city has earned the nickname "Hallyuwood." A driver will be waiting at the airport to take you to your accommodation. Take a few hours to recover from jet lag and relax at the hotel before heading out into the streets for your first taste of Korean street food.

Myeongdong is a legendary street food spot in Seoul. Spend the rest of your first day eating your way through this vibrant neighborhood, tucked in the center of the city. A tangle of neon and skyscrapers, you'll hop between steaming street stalls peddling everything from egg bread to kimchi dumplings, before heading inside traditional restaurants known for specialties like kalguksu and dak galbi. You'll end the tour feeling thoroughly satiated and excited for what's to come.

Day 2: Gyeongbukgong, Bukchon Hanok Village, Gwangjang Market & N Seoul Tower

Today, it's time to dive head first into all things K-drama on a tour of Seoul's famous filming locations. Your first stop is the palace of Gyeongbokgung, the seat of Korean royalty for hundreds of years. Watch the changing of the guard ceremony at the striking Gwanghwamun Gate and explore the grounds, strolling past pavilions and ornate buildings. K-drama fanatics will recognize scenes from popular series like "Queen In-Hyun's Man" and "The Moon Embracing the Sun." The National Folk Museum, located on the palace grounds, provides greater context for Korean history. 

Continue your tour of Seoul's historic sites at the Bukchon Hanok Village. Once a neighborhood for the Joseon Dynasty's elite, Seoulites still live in the traditional homes today. Admire their stone walls, sloping tile roofs, and wooden design elements, all perched on a hill that overlooks the city and N Seoul Tower in the distance. Those familiar with "You Who Came From the Stars" and "The Heir" will recognize this iconic cluster of houses. The next stop is Gwangjang Market for street food delights like bindaetteok (crispy fried mungbean pancakes), before stopping by Dongdaemun for a bit of retail therapy.

Day 3: Lotte World Excursion

You're headed to South Korea's version of Disney Land today—Lotte World. Countless K-dramas have been filmed here, including "Full House," "Hyde, Jekyll, Me," and "Stairway to Heaven." Head for the amusement park first, where you can hop on rides like the Gyro Swing, Bungee Drop, and the French Revolution roller coaster. Two of the most commonly featured backdrops are the castle, ice skating rink, and carousel. 

After you've had your fill of rides and musical entertainment, keep exploring this massive complex by visiting the Lotte World Aquarium. Home to over 650 species of marine life, you'll see beluga whales, sea lions, and several different ecosystems from the Amazon River to the Polar Zone. The Seoul Sky Tower is also a part of Lotte World and offers one of the best views in the entire city. At 123 feet tall (555 m), this is the fifth-tallest building in the world and offers panoramic scenery at any time of day, including sunset. There are also several cafés and restaurants if dining in the clouds sounds like your cup of tea.

Day 4: Transfer to Jeonju, Jeonju Hanok Village & Geyonggijeon Excursion

Rise and shine early this morning for your 2.5-hour transfer south to Jeonju. As South Korea's unofficial cultural capital and history mecca, the Jeonju Hanok Village is the perfect place to get started. This nook of the city holds over 800 traditional hanok houses, still inhabited by locals today, and provides a glimpse into what life was like in South Korea hundreds of years ago. After wandering through these narrow alleyways and charming homes it's time to move on to Geyonggijeon. Built in 1410, this shrine doubles as the Royal Portrait Museum and houses royal paintings of Joseon monarchs like King Taejo. 

Aside from the hanok and portraiture, there are other beautiful features of the village to explore. The Jeondong Cathedral, designed by the same architect that completed the famous Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, is a perfect mixture of Byzantine and Romanesque architecture. Wrap up your visit with a stop at the Omokdae Observatory. The infamous King Taejo hosted a banquet here following his victory against Japanese invaders. Located atop a hill, the observatory provides sweeping views of the city and the indigo, hanok rooftops. A few famous K-dramas were set here, including "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds."

Day 5: Jeonju Market, Jeonju Hyanggyo, National Museum & Wine Museum 

Today is all about diving deeper into Jeonju's rich culinary scene and history! Start off at the Jeonju Nambu Traditional Market. This bustling food center is alive with steaming stalls, sizzling sounds, and hungry customers looking for both their weekly groceries and a bite to eat. Munch on barbecued shrimp and bibimbap, or if you want to go out on a limb, try the blood sausage soup. Now that you've satiated your hunger, head to Jeonju Hyanggyo, a Confucian school where K-dramas, like "Sungkyunkwan Scandal," were filmed, as well as the Jeonju National Museum for even more historic tidbits. 

This afternoon, you're in for another foodie experience on a visit to the Jeonju Traditional Liquor Museum. You'll have the opportunity to see how different Korean liquors are made. Sip on several different kinds of spirits, like soju and chungju, before trying your hand at making your own as the perfect souvenir. Continue exploring more traditional Korean beverages at Makgeolli Alley in the evening. This district is known for having restaurants that specialize in makgeolli (Korean rice wine). This milky and slightly fizzy fermented drink is poured from kettles and served in metal bowls.

Day 6: Transfer to Daegu, Keimyung University & Seomun Market

It's another road trip this morning, with a two-hour transfer to the city of Daegu. A hotspot filming location for lots of K-dramas, there are several sites that you might recognize. Begin your visit at Nampeong Village of the Mun Clan and its charming hanok houses and pavilions, all protected by a low, stone wall. If you've ever watched "Moon Lovers," this area might look familiar. Grab a birds-eye view of the town by taking the cable car up to the Apsan Observatory, where scenes from "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim" were filmed. 

Next up is a quick stop at Keimyung University. Known for being one of the most beautiful college campuses in South Korea, countless K-dramas have been filmed here, including the ultra-popular "Boys Over Flowers." Spend the rest of the afternoon at E-World, riding roller coasters and snapping pictures of the famous E-World 83 Tower. Make your way to Seomun Market, the largest in all of Daegu, for dinner. This is a great opportunity to try classics like tteokkbokki and hotteok, Korean doughnuts. End the day strolling across the Ayang Railroad Bridge, where "Oh My Venus" was filmed.

Day 7: Transfer to Mungyeong, Mungyeongsaejae Provincial Park & Film Village

You'll slowly start making your way back toward Seoul this morning as you journey to your final stop of the trip, Mungyeong. After a 1.5-hour transfer, you'll arrive in this quiet town, once known for its coal mining. Your first stop of the day is Mungyeongsaejae Provincial Park. The tallest pass in South Korea, Mungyeongseajae Pass, is inside the park. You'll travel through dense pine forests, visiting three gates that controlled those who crossed over the Joryeongsan Mountain and in and out of the province, centuries ago. 

Each gate, Juheulgwan, Jogokgwan, and Joryeonggwan, is uniquely beautiful and was originally built during the Imjin War in the 16th century. You'll visit each one, a round-trip loop that takes around four hours in total, while also stopping by the Mungyeongsaejae Open Set. The dreamy backdrop of these misty mountains and rocky landscapes, shrouded in trees, was the perfect setting for historical K-dramas like "Red Sleeve," "Kingdom," and "The Moon Embracing the Sun." Remnants of the sets, including a small hanok village, were used in the filming.

Day 8: Transfer to Seoul, Depart

It's time to say your goodbyes to the "Land of Morning Calm." Join your driver for the trip back to Seoul and the Incheon International Airport for your flight home or to your next destination. Safe travels!

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