Location: 37-1 Midong-gil, Cheolma-myeon, Gijang-gun, Busan
You have probably seen this bamboo forest many times in Dramaland, especially in historical dramas. Often showed during a confrontational scene (against bandits, main characters…), Ahopsan Forest is generally used for various reasons, such as:
1. To display turning points of the action like the death of royals/ministers and/or people running away
2. To create a bridge between the real world and a hidden one
3. To give more impact to the narrative itself by playing with the trees, with the surprise element…
That being said, that special place in Busan is not only appreciated for its beautiful landscape, but its history is quite interesting too. It’s only in 2016 that the forest becomes open to the public after 400 years of being a private property (a family managed it all this time).
It’s a conservation area, a healthy and totally natural environment that is home to a great variety of trees such as bamboos (its main symbol), red pines, oak trees, etc… In total, the forest covers 9 mountains, as its translation suggests it (‘Ahop’ means 9; and ‘San’ means mountain in Korean).
If you enjoy nature, this could be the perfect place to stop by and wander around peacefully!
Moon Lovers (2016)
Cast: Lee Joon Gi, IU, Kang Ha Neul, Hong Jong Hyun, Nam Joo Hyuk, Baekhyun, Ji Soo, Kang Ha Na, Jin Ki Joo and Seohyun
Plot: During a total eclipse, Hae Soo (IU) travels back in time to the Goryeo Era. There, she meets the Princes of the royal family and falls in love with Wang So (Lee Joon Gi), who is feared by everyone.
Episodes: 20
Flower in Prison (2016)
Cast: Jin Se Yeon, Ko Soo, Kim Mi Sook, Jung Joon Ho, Park Joo Mi and Choi Tae Joon
Plot: Set during the Joseon era, Ok Nyeo (Jin Se Yeon) was born and raised in prison. As an adult, she becomes a defender of the poor and the unfairly accused through the Waeji Boo, the private litigation system in Joseon.
Episodes: 51
Jackpot (2016)
Cast: Jang Geun Suk, Yeo Jin Goo, Jeong Kwang Reol, Choi Min Soo and Im Ji Yeon
Plot: Baek Dae Gil (Jang Geun Suk) is the best gambler of Joseon. King Yeongjo (Yeo Jin Goo) is a proud man, who never lowers his head. They make a bet, one putting his life on the line; the other his entire Kingdom. Meanwhile, Dam Seo (Im Ji Yeon) dreams of revenge against the King.
Episodes: 24
The King in Love (2017)
Cast: Im Si Wan, Im YoonA and Hong Jong Hyun
Plot: During the Goryeo era, Crown Prince Won (Im Si Wan) and his bodyguard Wang Rim (Hong Jong Hyun) are best friends. Things change when they both start falling in love with Eun San (Im YoonA), the daughter of a wealthy man.
Episodes: 40
Ruler: Master of the Mask (2017)
Cast: Yoo Seung Ho, Kim So Hyun, Kim Myung Soo, Yoon So Hee and Heo Jun Ho
Plot: Set in the 1700s, Crown Prince Lee Sun (Yoo Seung Ho) fights against the powerful organization named Pyungsoo Hwe, which accumulated wealth thanks to the privatization of water. In his task, he’s supported by Han Ga Eun (Kim So Hyun), with whom he falls in love.
Episodes: 40
100 Days My Prince (2018)
Cast: Do Kyung Soo (D.O.) and Nam Ji Hyun
Plot: One day, Crown Prince Lee Yool (Do Kyung Soo) mysteriously disappears. He is the victim of an attempted assassination, which leads him to become Won Deuk for 100 days, during which he meets Hong Shim (Nam Ji Hyun). She is a smart young woman who runs the first detective agency of Joseon.
Episodes: 16
The King: The Eternal Monarch (2020)
Cast: Lee Min Ho, Kim Go Eun, Woo Do Hwan, Kim Yong Ji, Lee Jung Jin and Jung Eun Chae
Plot: Lee Gon (Lee Min Ho) is the King of the Kingdom of Korea. When he was a kid, his uncle Lee Rim (Lee Jung Jin) organized a coup to get his hands on a supposedly magical flute: the Manpansipjeok. In the process, Lee Rim kills Lee Gon’s father and Lee Gon escapes death thanks to the intervention of a mysterious figure, who leaves behind a badge with the name and picture of a woman Jeong Tae Eul (Kim Go Eun). Moreover, in the debacle, Lee Gon manages to cut the flute in half and keep a part of it. Lee Rim, who has the other half is found dead hours later, without the missing part of the flute.
Years later, Lee Gon is still looking for his mysterious savior from that night, who seems to be nowhere to be found. One day, he discovers that his flute can actually open the door to a parallel universe: the Republic of Korea. There, he finally finds Jeong Tae Eul. Also, he finds out that his uncle is still alive and crossing universes as well with the remaining half of the flute. Lee Gon and Jeong Tae Eul team up to stop him, while falling in love at the same time.
Episodes: 16
River Where the Moon Rises (2021)
Cast: Kim So Hyun, Na In Woo and Lee Ji Hoon
Plot: When she was still a child, Princess Pyeonggang of Goguryeo (Kim So Hyun) was abducted and lost her memories. She was raised by assassins and became one. One day, she meets a young man On Dal (Na In Woo), who rescues her. As they fall in love, Pyeonggang recovers little by little her memory and discovers her fate his greater than she thought.
Episodes: 20
Once Upon a Drama 