Reminisce K-dramas at Dae Jang Geum Park in Korea

By Jonathan Hicap

YONGIN, South Korea - In a vast land in Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province, one can find the biggest open set in South Korea.

The Dae Jang Geum Park is owned by Korean TV network Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC).

It features houses and structures reminiscent of Korea’s Three Kingdoms, Goryeo Dynasty, and Joseon Dynasty.

Its history dates back to December 1987 when 279 hectares of land were purchased. The park, originally named Yongin MBC Dramia, was opened to foreigners in June 2011 and to domestic visitors in October 2011.

It was renamed Dae Jang Geum Park in August 2015 after the hit drama “Jewel in the Palace” (“Daejanggeum”) that starred Lee Young-ae.

Injeongjeon Hall at Dae Jang Geum Park where Agust D's music video was filmed (Jonathan Hicap)

Dae Jang Geum Park in Yongin, South Korea (Jonathan Hicap)

The set of "Jewel in the Palace" at Dae Jang Geum Park in Yongin, South Korea (Jonathan Hicap)

Dae Jang Geum Park in Yongin, South Korea (Jonathan Hicap)

The set of "Jewel in the Palace" at Dae Jang Geum Park in Yongin, South Korea (Jonathan Hicap)

Dae Jang Geum Park in Yongin, South Korea (Jonathan Hicap)

The set of "Jewel in the Palace" at Dae Jang Geum Park in Yongin, South Korea (Jonathan Hicap)

As such, many Korean dramas and films, especially historical works, and music videos were filmed here.

The music video for "Daechwita" by August D (Suga of BTS), and Stray Kids’ "Double Knot” performance video were filmed in Dae Jang Geum Park.

A total of 41 journalists from 30 countries, including Manila Bulletin from the Philippines, visited the park as part of the World Journalists Conference (WJC) 2026 in South Korea.

Entering the park transports visitors to Korea’s past. Its facilities include the Dae Jang Geum Memorial Set commemorating “Jewel in the Palace” although the drama was not filmed in the park. The set from the drama was transferred and built in Dae Jang Geum Park.

Other facilities are the prison and police station, marketplace, and palaces.

Korean dramas that were filmed at Dae Jang Geum Park include “The Red Sleeve” starring Lee Jun-ho and Lee Se-young, “The King's Affection” with Park Eun-bin and Rowoon, “Mr. Queen” with Shin Hye-sun and Kim Jung-hyun, “Moon Embracing the Sun” with Kim Soo-hyun and Han Ga-in, "Bloody Heart” with Lee Joon and Kang Han-na, and “Jumong” with Song Il-kook and Han Hye-jin.

Also filmed in the park were “Dong Yi,” “Queen Seondeok,” “Arang and the Magistrate,” “Gu Family Book,” “Empress Ki,” “The Emperor: Owner of the Mask,” “The Crowned Clown” and “Haechi.”

Atop the hill is the Muryangsujeon Hall, a set built like the one in Buseoksa Temple in Yeongju. It was where scenes were filmed in “Queen Seondeok,” “Dong Yi,” “The Moon Embracing the Sun” and “Gu Family Book.”

From the hill, you can see the entire Dae Jang Geum Park at a glance. There is also a museum that houses photos and videos of Korean dramas filmed at the park.

The view of Dae Jang Geum Park from Muryangsujeon Hall (Jonathan Hicap)

Entrance fees are:

Adult - 11,000 won (about $7.40)

Youth - 9,000 won ($6)

Children - 9,000 won ($6)

0 years old to preschool children - free

Operating hours

Summer season - March - October - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Winter season - November - February - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lunar New Year's Day - Closed

Operating hours on Chuseok Day - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Entry is permitted only up to one hour before closing.

After the tour, Ahn Hyung-joon, the president and CEO of MBC, met the WJC participants during lunch.

“I hope to continue to maintain good relations with your country and the various other nations. Also, MBC is currently running the K-Town project, where people can directly enjoy K-culture, K-pop, dramas, fashion, and more in each country,” he said.

The WJC 2026 was organized by the Journalists Association of Korea (JAK) headed by its president, Park Jong-hyun, with the support of Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Korea Press Foundation.

Ahn Hyung-joon, the president and CEO of Korean TV network MBC, speaking before participants of the World Journalists Conference 2026 in Suwon, South Korea (Jonathan Hicap)