Yumi in Busan: Guide to Kim Go-eun’s dreamy filming locations

Bosu-dong Book Street, a historic alleyway in Busan filled with second-hand bookstores, is seen in this scene from tvN's drama "Yumi's Cells" Season 3. Courtesy of tvN

In the popular tvN original series "Yumi’s Cells" Season 3, starring Kim Go-eun, the story delicately follows the protagonist’s emotional journey against the backdrop of Busan — ranging from seaside resorts and vintage bookstore alleys to pastel-hued, charming villages.

The series, following Yumi (Kim), a successful author whose dormant romantic instincts are reawakened by the arrival of her editor Soon-rok (Kim Jae-won), portrays Busan as a warm travel destination that feels both exotic and nostalgic with the coziness of old-world spaces.

If scenes from the drama keep playing in your head, why not head to the very spots that made your heart flutter? Here is a look at the Busan travel destinations that awakened Yumi's interest in love.

Ananti at Busan Cove in Gijang-eup, Busan / Courtesy of Ananti at Busan Cove

Ananti at Busan Cove

The setting for the group's workshop serves as the pivotal stage where Yumi and Soon-rok build their "slow-burn" connection, heightening their subtle chemistry before the sparks officially fly. The resort where they stay immediately caught viewers' eyes with its exotic vistas and spacious suites.

In one poignant scene, Yumi watches Soon-rok from her terrace as he strolls along the resort's seaside path; that single, tender gaze perfectly captures her fluttering heart. The sight of Yumi rediscovering that long-lost excitement, framed by a landscape that looks more like a Mediterranean getaway than Korea, is enough to get any viewer's pulse racing.

If you visit, try following the scenic Gijang coastline from Haedong Yonggung Temple to Daebyeon Port by day. Then, as night falls, take a page out of Soon-rok's book and wander the resort’s promenade, where the soft glow of the lights meets the rhythmic melody of the waves.

The bookstore alley in Bosu-dong is lined on both sides with independent bookstores. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Bosu-dong Book Street

In Episode 4, the story shifts to Busan’s old city center and the iconic Bosu-dong Book Street. In a witty comedic beat, Yumi feigns ignorance about "Gukjin-i Bread" (a 90s relic) to hide her age gap with Soon-rok — a moment made even more charming by the vintage backdrop. The tension ramps up as Kim Ju-ho (Choi Daniel) joins the group, setting a complex love triangle in motion amidst the narrow alleys and cozy cafes.

With its weathered signs and the comforting scent of aged paper, Bosu-dong is a living time capsule. It offers a nostalgic retreat for some and a trendy retro discovery for others. The alley’s roots reach back to the 1950-1953 Korean War, starting as a humble collection of stalls selling discarded U.S. military magazines. By the 1970s, it had evolved into a bustling intellectual hub with over 70 shops, many of which still preserve that unique atmosphere today.

After soaking up the analog charm of the bookstores, head over to the nearby Bupyeong Kkangtong Market. As one of Busan’s "Big Three" traditional markets — alongside Gukje and Jagalchi — it earned its name (literally "Tin Can Market") for selling imported American canned goods after the Korean War. As Korea’s first permanent night market, it truly comes alive after dark with a buzz you won’t find anywhere else.

Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan / Courtesy of the Busan Tourism Organization

Gamcheon Culture Village

In the series, while Soon-rok stays behind at the resort to nurse a cold, Yumi heads out for some sightseeing with her fellow writers to Gamcheon Culture Village. The shot of the vibrant, multicolored rooftops peeking over Yumi’s shoulder is widely considered one of the show's most visually stunning moments.

With its pastel-hued houses clustered along the steep mountainside and its labyrinthine alleys, the village has earned nicknames like the "Machu Picchu of Korea" and the "Santorini of Busan."

It wasn't always this picturesque, however. Originally a hillside shantytown of cramped houses, a 2009 public art project transformed the area into a cultural landmark defined by its rainbow-colored roofs. Today, it has established itself as Busan’s premier destination for the perfect "life shot," drawing over 1.85 million visitors annually.