K-Dramas shot on Nami Island

Location: Namisum-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwondo

Why is this small half-moon shaped land named Nami Island? I’m pretty sure you have asked yourself that question before without really looking for the answer.

The name comes from the General Nami, who was accused of treason under the reign of King Sejo (1417-1468) and died at age 28. His body was allegedly buried on that island, and the legend says that anyone who would take a stone away from that place would bring misfortune to his/her house.

Centuries later (in 1965), the place was turned into an amusement park. The 2002 drama Winter Sonata brought fame and recognition to the island that is now considered one of the main touristic spots in South Korea (you will definitely see the characters’ statue somewhere in the park). In 2018, the people of the island even declared their independence becoming the Naminara Republic with their own visa and money.

Besides the legend and its incredible history, Nami Island remains an enjoyable place to visit, where you can walk freely in nature, enjoy nice food and take great pictures.

Fun fact: You can choose to enter the island either by boat or using a zip line. Crazy no?

Winter Sonata (2002)

Cast: Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo

Plot: Kang Jun Sang (Bae Yong Joon) and Jung Yoo Jin (Choi Ji Woo) met at school and fell in love with each other. But after an accident, Jun Sang disappears without a trace. 10 years later, as Yoo Jin is about to get married, she encounters a man, who looks exactly like her previous lover.

Episodes: 20

King of High School (2014)

Cast: Lee Ha Na and Seo In Guk

Plot: Lee Min Seok (Seo In Guk) is a high school student, playing for the school’s ice hockey team. Due to his strong resemblance with his older brother, he’s asked to take over his place at his company. There, he meets Jung Soo Young (Lee Ha Na). He starts falling for her.

Episodes: 17

Mother (2018)

Cast: Lee Bo Young, Lee Hye Young, Go Sung Hee and Heo Yool

Plot: ​Soo Jin (Lee Bo Young) is a cold biology teacher, who doesn’t easily bound with people. One day, she passes by one of her pupils’ house at night, and finds the little girl outside in a trash bag. Recognizing domestic abuse, Soo Jin decides to take Hye Na (Heo Yool) with her, without telling anyone. They start running away from authorities, while connecting with each other. 

Episodes: 16

Mother of Mine (2019)

Cast: Kim Hae Sook, Kim So Yeon, Yoo Sun, Kim Ha Kyung and Hong Jong Hyun

Plot: Park Sun Ja (Kim Hae Sook) is the mother of 3 daughters: Kang Mi Sun (Yoo Sun), Kang Mi Ri (Kim So Yeon) and Kang Mi Hye (Kim Ha Kyung). She also runs a small restaurant. The drama follows their lives, relationships and romances.

Episodes: 108

Hi Bye Mama! (2020)

Cast: Kim Tae Hee, Lee Kyu Hyung and Go Bo Gyeol

Plot: ​Cha Yu Ri (Kim Tae Hee) and Jo Gang Hwa (Lee Kyu Hyung) are a loving married couple with child. One day, 8-month pregnant Cha Yu Ri gets into an accident. She ends up losing her life and becoming a ghost. Her daughter is saved and taken care of by her devastated father. Five years later, Cha Yu Ri still wanders around her child, hoping to see her grow up. Meanwhile, Jo Gang Hwa has remarried Oh Min Jung (Go Bo Gyeol). Gang Hwa and Min Jung are parents to Seo Woo, but their marriage is not going so well. After discovering that her daughter can see ghosts, Cha Yu Ri insults God and is therefore given a punishment: either she gets her place back in 49 days and can be human or she goes straight to Hell. Humane once again, Cha Yu Ri tries her best to lay low and at the same time, help her daughter not to see ghosts anymore.

Episodes: 16

When My Love Blooms (2020)

Cast: Lee Bo Young, Yu Ji Tae, Park Jin Young and Jeon So Nee

Plot: ​Han Jae Hyun (Yu Ji Tae/Park Jin Young) and Yoon Ji Su (Lee Bo Young/Jeon So Nee) met in the 1990s, when they were both in college. Jae Hyun studied law and Ji Su was majoring in piano. They both started to fall in love with each other because they shared common beliefs and were demonstrating for people’s rights. However, they had to take different paths because of their own life circumstances. 20 years later, they meet again and realize they still love each other. 

Episodes: 16