Push Admin

Escaping the metropolis: K-dramas set beyond Seoul’s busy streets

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News Intern

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1719728758678240630 samdalri.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Ji Chang-wook, left, and Shin Hye-sun in a scene from &#x27;Welcome to Samdal-ri,&#x27; a South Korea series mostly filmed in Jeju Island. Screenshot from video on Netflix Philippines&#x27; YouTube channel"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Ji Chang-wook, left, and Shin Hye-sun in a scene from &#x27;Welcome to Samdal-ri,&#x27; a South Korea series mostly filmed in Jeju Island. <em>Screenshot from video on Netflix Philippines&#x27; YouTube channel</em></span></span></span>While most South Korean dramas are set against the vibrant metropolis of Seoul, there exists a whole world of narratives unfolding beyond the capital, offering viewers a glimpse into the country’s scenic landscapes and coastal areas, all without the need to visit the country in person.</div><p>Below is our selection of K-dramas that take viewers outside of Seoul, showcasing the beauty of Korea beyond its famed capital city.</p><div><strong>The Good Bad Mother (2023)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring: </strong>Ra Mi-ran, Lee Do-hyun, Ahn Eun-jin, Yoo In-soo</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CzVi_hIZ3mc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>“The Good Bad Mother” follows a mother (played by Ra Mi-ran), who reconnects with her son (Lee Do-hyun) after a life-changing accident, painting a narrative of reconciliation. According to the Korea JoongAng Daily, the family drama is set primarily in a village in Gunwi County, once part of North Gyeongsang Province and now a part of Daegu, capturing its location’s tranquil ambiance and notable stone walls.</p><div><strong>Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring: </strong>Ji Chang-wook, Shin Hye-sun</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aY8QmExZrlY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>“Welcome to Samdal-ri” revolves around a fashion photographer (Shin Hye-sun), who returns to her hometown in Jeju Island after getting embroiled in a controversy. There, she reunites with her childhood friend and former beau (Ji Chang-wook).</p><p>Apart from showcasing the beauty of Jeju, often called “South Korea&#x27;s Hawaii” for its temperate climate and captivating sceneries, the series also highlights the “haenyeo,” a community of women who dive beneath the sea to harvest a variety of seafood for a living.</p><div><strong>Summer Strike (2022)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring: </strong>Im Si-wan, Kim Seol-hyun</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JiRRa72wOWw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Based on a popular webtoon of the same title, “Summer Strike” is a romance series featuring people who leave the busy city for a beautiful seaside village named Angok. It stars K-pop stars-turned-actors Im Si-wan of ZE:A and Seolhyun (formerly of AOA).</p><div><strong>Our Blues (2022)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring: </strong>Lee Byung-hun, Shin Min-a, Cha Seung-won, Lee Jung-eun, Han Ji-min, Kim Woo-bin, Uhm Jung-hwa</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vSBIJQOLKoY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Boasting a star-studded cast, “Our Blues” follows multiple stories about people who live and work in Jeju Island. It even earned praise in a Teen Vogue review for its exploration of profound themes, including child abuse, debts, teen pregnancy and bullying, among others. </p><div><strong>Once Upon A Small Town (2022)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring:</strong> Park Soo-young (Joy), Cho Young-woo, Baek Sung-chul</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IQLcz6wLNg0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Lush green fields and mountains adorn Heedong Village, the rural setting for “Once Upon A Small Town.” The rom-com series follows a veterinarian (Cho Young-woo) who relocates to the countryside and meets a policewoman (Park Soo-young) described as a “town insider with a friendly secret.”</p><div><strong>Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring: </strong>Shin Min-a, Kim Seon-ho, Lee Sang-yi</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z66fazyp3-M?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>“Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” charmed viewers with its story of a big-city dentist (Shin Min-a), who returns to her seaside hometown of Gongjin, only to find herself at odds with a jack-of-all-trades (Kim Seon-ho). Although Gongjin is fictional, the series was largely filmed in Pohang City, North Gyeongsang province, which has reportedly seen a surge in tourism following the show’s broadcast.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/10/18/21/review-hometown-cha-cha-cha-offers-refreshing-rustic-romance"><strong>REVIEW: ‘Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’ offers refreshing rustic romance</strong><br/></a></div><div><strong>Racket Boys (2021)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring: </strong>Kim Sang-kyung, Oh Na-ra, Tang Jun-sang, Son Sang-yeon, Choi Hyun-wook, Kim Kang-hoon, Lee Jae-in, Lee Ji-won</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xKB11P9Na6g?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>In this coming-of-age sports drama, a city boy (Tang Jun-sang) relocates with his family to the countryside, where he crosses paths with members of a middle school badminton team on the brink of disbandment. </p><div><strong>When the Weather is Fine (2020)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring:</strong> Park Min-young, Seo Kang-joon</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ro5FDgXCygo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>“When the Weather is Fine” is a romantic tale following a cellist (Park Min-yoing), who quits her job in Seoul to return to her hometown, and falls in love with her old classmate who runs a bookstore (Seo Kang-joon).</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/4/21/8-k-dramas-to-watch-if-you-love-park-min-young-1337"><strong>READ: 8 K-dramas to watch if you love Park Min-young<br/></strong></a></div><div><strong>When the Camellia Blooms (2019)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring: </strong>Gong Hyo-jin, Kang Ha-neul, Kim Ji-seok</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/prl2MXJQSKo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>“When the Camellia Blooms,” honored with multiple awards at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards, follows the journey of a single mother (Gong Hyo-jin) navigating societal prejudices after moving to the fictional town of Ongsan, where she also finds the possibility of new love.</p><div><em>For more news and features on K-pop, K-drama, and K-stars, visit the </em><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/kcontents"><em>Hallyu Corner </em></a><em>microsite.</em></div>

<p>While most South Korean dramas are set against the vibrant metropolis of Seoul, there exists a whole world of narratives unfolding beyond the capital, offering viewers a glimpse into the country’s scenic landscapes and coastal areas.</p>

While most South Korean dramas are set against the vibrant metropolis of Seoul, there exists a whole world of narratives unfolding beyond the capital, offering viewers a glimpse into the country’s scenic landscapes and coastal areas.

Escaping the metropolis: K-dramas set beyond Seoul’s busy streets

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Showbiz

Escaping the metropolis: K-dramas set beyond Seoul’s busy streets

ABS-CBN News Intern,

Jomari Gimongala

Published Jul 01, 2024 09:00 AM PHT

Read More:

K-content

K-drama

The Good Bad Mother

Welcome to Samdal-ri

Summer Strike

Our Blues

Once Upon A Small Town

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

Racket Boys

When the Weather is Fine

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.