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Beyond borders: 10 K-dramas taking viewers around the world

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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/1721540390559QUEEN OF TEARS.jfif" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Kim Soo-hyun, left, and Kim Ji-won at the Neptune Fountain in Berlin, Germany for the romance series &#x27;Queen of Tears.&#x27; <em>Photo from tvN drama&#x27;s X account</em></span></span></span>MANILA — Korean dramas are known for their meticulous attention to detail, from casting to captivating storylines. This dedication extends to filming locations, with productions often venturing beyond South Korea to find breathtaking backdrops that enhance both the narrative and visuals. These overseas locations not only immerse viewers in the beauty of foreign cultures but also eliminate the need for green screens, showcasing real, stunning sceneries.</div><p>Grab your passport and pack your bags as we explore some K-dramas filmed outside of their home country.</p><div><strong>Queen of Tears (2024)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring: </strong>Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Ji-won, Park Sung-hoon, Kwak Dong-yeon, Lee Joo-bin</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/JJ-xZEEDkkw?&amp;pp=ygUWcXVlZW4gb2YgdGVhcnMgdHJhaWxlcg%3D%3D&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>The <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/4/29/-queen-of-tears-beats-crash-landing-on-you-with-record-network-ratings-1253"><strong>highest-rated tvN</strong></a> series as of writing, “Queen of Tears” follows lawyer Baek Hyun-woo (Kim Soo-hyun) and heiress Hong Hae-in (Kim Ji-won), a married couple on the brink of divorce, but finds themselves rekindling their love after Hae-in is diagnosed with a terminal illness.</p><p>Some scenes were filmed in Germany, where the couple had their honeymoon and Hae-in received treatment for her illness. These locations include the Neptune Fountain and Berlin Cathedral in Berlin, Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam, and the Iron Footbridge in Frankfurt, among others.</p><div><strong>Little Women (2022)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring:</strong> Kim Go-eun, Nam Ji-hyun, Park Ji-hu, Wi Ha-jun </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/E_xHsLYvNEo?&amp;pp=ygUcbGl0dGxlIHdvbWVuIHRyYWlsZXIgbmV0ZmxpeA%3D%3D&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>The mystery drama “Little Women” follows three poverty-stricken sisters — Kim Go-eun, Nam Ji-hyun, and Park Ji-hu — who become entangled in a conspiracy involving the rich and powerful. At a pivotal point in the series, the eldest sister, Oh In-ju (Go-eun), travels to Singapore, showcasing the iconic Marina Bay skyline and other sites in the island-country.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/08/29/22/koreans-adapt-little-women-with-twists-and-turns"><strong>READ: K-drama &#x27;Little Women&#x27; full of &#x27;twists and turns&#x27;<br/></strong></a></div><div><strong>Forest (2020)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring:</strong> Park Hae-jin, Jo Bo-ah</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/Fyiy4qsquZM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>“Forest” tells the story of emergency service worker Kang San-hyeok (Park Hae-jin) and surgeon Jung Young-jae (Jo Bo-ah), who fall in love after meeting in a mysterious forest. At some point in the series, the pair fly to the Philippines, with scenes taking place in Okada Manila, SM by the Bay and Intramuros.</p><div><strong>Vagabond (2019)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring:</strong> Lee Seung Gi, Bae Suzy</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/moJbLJ8AkIo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>The spy action “Vagabond”  is about Cha Dal-geon (Lee Seung-gi), a stuntman who teams up with intelligence agent Go Hae-ri (Suzy) to look into the truth behind a tragic plane crash that killed Dal-geon&#x27;s nephew.</p><p>Parts of the show were shot in Morocco, where Dal-geon travels for his nephew’s funeral. Hae-ri is also based there, and it is where she first meets Dal-geon. Filming locations include Merkala Beach in Tangier and Medina.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/4/10/new-season-of-vagabond-to-showcase-the-philippines-1722"><strong>READ: New season of ‘Vagabond&#x27; to showcase the Philippines?<br/></strong></a></div><div><strong>Crash Landing on You (2019)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring:</strong> Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Kim Jung-hyun, Seo Ji-hye</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/oirEJweHw_A?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>The hit “Crash Landing on You” follows the romance between heiress Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) and North Korean soldier Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin), who meet after a paragliding accident leads Se-ri to North Korea.</p><p>One of the most iconic overseas locations featured in the series is Iseltwald, a charming village nestled in Switzerland, possessing picturesque green hills that overlook the crystal blue waters of Lake Brienz.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/05/19/23/asian-fans-flock-to-crash-landing-hit-drama-site-in-switzerland"><strong>READ: Asian fans flock to &#x27;Crash Landing&#x27; set location in Switzerland<br/></strong></a></div><div><strong>Encounter (2018)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring:</strong> Song Hye-kyo, Park Bo-gum</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/9sTXr8pKbKk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>In “Encounter,” Song Hye-kyo plays Cha Soo-hyun, a divorcee who flies to Cuba and meets the free-spirited Kim Jin-hyuk (Park Bo-gum). Later, it is revealed that he is an employee at a hotel that Soo-hyun receives as alimony.</p><p>As Soo-hyun and Jin-hyu’s  fateful encounter unfolds in Cuba, they explore Havana’s Malecón beach and the historic Hotel Nacional de Cuba.</p><div><strong>Memories of the Alhambra (2018)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring: </strong>Hyun Bin, Park Shin-hye, Park Chanyeol</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/gGQ5ForPrtM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>“Memories of the Alhambra” centers on investment firm CEO Yoo Jin-woo (Hyun Bin), who travels to Spain and ends up staying at a hostel run by Jung Hee-joo (Park Shin-hye). The two end up getting caught in a mystery connected to a video game.</p><p>This sci-fi romance series takes audiences across Europe. These include the titular Alhambra palace and fortress complex in Granada, Spain; the Budapest Keleti train station in Hungary; and Hercules Fountain in Slovenia.</p><div><strong>Descendants of the Sun (2016)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring:</strong> Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-kyo, Jin Goo, Kim 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/wTGwjDqtfzQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Winner of the Grand Prize at the 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards, the hit “Descendants of the Sun” portrays the love story between soldier Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-ki) and doctor Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo). Because of their differing perspectives, the two initially part ways, only to reunite in the fictional country of Uruk.</p><p>The show captures scenic locations in Greece, including Navagio Beach in Zakynthos and the mountain town of Arachova.</p><div><strong>The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring:</strong> Lee Min-ho, Jun Ji-hyun, Shin Won-ho, 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/G_jt3EwBMwU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>“The Legend of the Blue Sea” delves into the romantic tale of a mermaid (Jun Ji-hyun) and a con artist (Lee Min-ho). Several scenes were filmed in Spain, notably in the popular city of Barcelona.</p><div><strong>Goblin (2016)</strong></div><p><strong>Starring: </strong>Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook, Yoo In-na</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/S94ukM8C17A?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>“Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God)” follows a centuries-old goblin (Gong Yoo) who is in search for his bride, the only person who can remove a sword pierced through his chest, only to find her in a bubbly high school student (Kim Go-eun).</p><p>In the series, the characters teleport to Quebec, Canada, featuring sites such as the Parc du Bastion-de-la-Reine and the Petit Champlain district.</p><div><em>For more news and features on K-pop, K-drama, and K-stars, visit the </em><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/kcontents"><em>Hallyu Corner</em></a><em> microsite.</em></div>

<p>Grab your passport and pack your bags as we explore some K-dramas filmed outside of their home country, from 'Queen of Tears' to 'Descendants of the Sun.'</p>

Grab your passport and pack your bags as we explore some K-dramas filmed outside of their home country, from 'Queen of Tears' to 'Descendants of the Sun.'

Beyond borders: 10 K-dramas taking viewers around the world

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Beyond borders: 10 K-dramas taking viewers around the world

ABS-CBN News Intern,

Alyssa Lita

Published Jul 21, 2024 01:58 PM PHT

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Updated Jul 21, 2024 06:22 PM PHT

Read More:

K-content

K-drama

K-drama listicle

K-drama recommendations

Queen of Tears

Little Women

Forest

Vagabond

Crash Landing on You

Encounter

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