Which K-dramas were filmed in Gyeongju? Discover filming locations hidden across historic city

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond in Gyeongju are seen in the background of JTBC drama "The Beauty Inside." Courtesy of JTBC

Gyeongju, a city in North Gyeongsang Province steeped in history, is set to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 — only the second time for Korea to hold the meeting.

As the world’s attention turns to this ancient capital, Gyeongju continues to enchant filmmakers and viewers alike with its rich heritage and picturesque landscapes, making it one of the most sought-after filming destinations for both historical sagas and modern dramas.

Gyeongju offers more than just a backdrop. It shapes the mood, tone and texture of the stories filmed there. The production team of MBC’s “The Great Queen Seondeok” (2009) credited the city’s “majestic yet intimate atmosphere” for allowing them to convey emotional nuance beyond the historical narrative.

Korean Chinese film director Zhang Lu, who shot his movie “Gyeongju” (2014) in the namesake city, said, “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.”

From “Princess Hours” (2006) and “The Great Queen Seondeok” to “Mr. Sunshine” (2018) and “The Beauty Inside” (2018), Gyeongju continues to offer a seamless blend of history, emotion and cinematic allure.

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond in Gyeongju are seen in the background of JTBC drama "The Beauty Inside." Courtesy of JTBC

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

Once the secondary palace of the Silla Kingdom (57 BCE-935 CE), Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond served as the residence of the crown prince and hosted grand royal banquets. By day it reflects Korea’s ancient heritage, and at night it transforms into a dreamlike backdrop where moonlight shimmers across the water.

The drama “Princess Hours,” set in a fictional monarchy descended from the Joseon Dynasty, helped spark the global K-drama wave with its story of a high school girl (played by Yoon Eun-hye) thrust into an arranged marriage with the crown prince (Ju Ji-hoon). Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond appeared as the royal family’s private garden, offering an ideal backdrop for the drama’s blend of romance and regal charm.

Since then, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond have become a favorite filming location for romance dramas and films. In the drama version of “The Beauty Inside,” a top actor (Seo Hyun-jin) who transforms into a different person for one week each month, shares a quiet evening here with an airline executive (Lee Min-ki) who cannot recognize faces. Their moonlit meeting at the pond became one of the show’s most touching scenes.

Samneung Pine Forest is seen in a scene from tvN drama "Mr. Sunshine." Captured from Netflix

Samneung Forest

Located on the western foothills of Mount Nam in Gyeongju, Samneung Forest is known for its twisted pine trees, which are often bathed in mist and golden sunlight.

The pine forest became well known after it appeared in the tvN drama “Mr. Sunshine.” This historical series tells the story of Eugene Choi (Lee Byung-hun), who was born into slavery in Joseon, escaped to the U.S., joined the American military and returned to Korea just before its colonization. Eugene falls in love with Go Ae-shin (Kim Tae-ri), an aristocrat who secretly doubles as a freedom fighter.

This woodland was a key filming spot for the show’s first episode, featuring a tense chase where young Eugene escapes from slave hunters. The peaceful old pine trees bring extra emotion to this dramatic moment, showing his desire for freedom and the sadness of leaving his homeland.

The pine grove was also used in “The Great Queen Seondeok.” In this story about the first female ruler of Silla, the forest appears in an important scene where the young queen survives a desert sandstorm and reappears as a princess of Silla. In the later episodes, the woods also symbolically appear as the spiritual setting where she determines her own fate and resolves to recover her royal authority.

Beyond its fame as a filming site, the grove is also beloved by photographers and artists. A photograph by Bae Bien-u was even sold at Sotheby’s to Elton John, highlighting its artistic allure.

Flat rock of Mount Obong in Gyeongju is seen in the tvN drama "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty." Captured from Netflix

Mount Obong

In the recent hit drama “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” (2025), a chef of a Michelin-starred restaurant (Lim Yoon-a) suddenly finds herself transported back to the Joseon era. She opens her eyes in a forest, where she encounters a fearsome tyrant prince (Lee Chae-min) amid his hunt. The two face a tense moment as they tumble together off a cliff.

The breathtaking cliff scene from the first episode was filmed at Madangbawi, a broad rock terrace near the summit of Mount Obong on the western edge of Gyeongju. This flat, expansive rock is large enough to seat over a hundred people. Its dramatic mountain terrain and cliffside scenery have made it a popular filming site for many intense and memorable drama moments.

The stunning landscape of Madangbawi has been also featured in other historical dramas, including “The Great Queen Seondeok” and “Dong Yi” (2010).

Oreung Tombs in Gyeongju / Korea Times file

Oreung Tombs (Five Royal Tombs)

Oreung Tombs, or the Five Royal Tombs of Silla, is a major filming location for the upcoming MBC drama “The 21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife” (working title), another K-drama with a fictional constitutional monarchy setting.

Serving as the backdrop for royal scenes, the natural scenery of the site enhanced the majesty and mysterious atmosphere of the royal family.

The cluster of five ancient burial mounds from the Silla era, believed to be the final resting places of four kings and a queen, including Silla Kingdom founder Hyeokgeose (69 BCE-4 CE), is part of the UNESCO-listed Gyeongju Historic Areas.

The highly anticipated drama, which stars IU and Byeon Woo-seok and is scheduled to be released next year, reportedly filmed scenes at the serene Oreung Tombs to depict Prince Yi Ahn’s (Byeon) solitude.