Visitors Flock to Filming Locations of "21st Century Grand Lady"

Soyang-myeon, Wanju: Hanok Houses, Reservoirs, and Experiential Attractions Gaining Word-of-Mouth Popularity

As the main filming location for the recently concluded drama "21st Century Grand Lady" has been revealed to be Soyang-myeon, Wanju County, North Jeolla Province, the number of travelers visiting the area has noticeably increased. Social media (SNS) is abuzz with responses such as "It feels even more cinematic in person" and "It's hard to believe this is actually Korea," spreading through word of mouth.

Awon Traditional House located within Oseong Hanok Village. Photo by Wanju-gun

The most notable spot is Awon Old House, located within Oseong Hanok Village. The unique structure, where a 250-year-old traditional hanok and a modern gallery built with exposed concrete coexist in one space, served as the backdrop for scenes in the drama where the past and present intersect. Visitors often take photos on the daechungmaru (main wooden floor) with Jongnamsan Mountain in the background, just like the main characters in the show. Awon Old House is also famous for being the location where BTS took their pictorial photos.

Another popular attraction is Soyang Gotaek. This spot is memorable to viewers as it frequently appeared in scenes where sunlight seeps under the hanok eaves, the traditional garden unfolds in tranquil openness, and the characters' emotions deepen. Recently, more visitors are choosing to experience hanbok and docent tours together, making it not just a place for taking photos but also a destination where people want to linger and immerse themselves.

Soyanggotek. Photo by Wanju County

Below Oseong Hanok Village lies the Oseongje Reservoir, where a solitary tree standing above the calm water draws attention. This location also served as the backdrop for romantic scenes in the drama. As the sun sets, the light spreads across the reservoir, creating a picturesque scene, making it a popular spot for couples' outings.

Another must-see in Soyang-myeon during spring is the cherry blossom road leading to Songgwangsa Temple. This path, lined with cherry trees for about 4 kilometers (10 li) forming a tunnel-like effect, is a signature spring destination in Wanju County. Many travelers visit this road along with the filming sites of the drama.

Soyang-myeon also offers hands-on experience programs beyond sightseeing. At Pungnyu School, there are mindfulness programs through tea ceremonies and meditation, while at the nearby Bonggangyo, visitors can participate in one-day pottery classes with master artisans. According to Wanju County, these experiential travel programs—touching clay and enjoying tea to nourish the soul—have resulted in high visitor satisfaction.

This trend of filming locations driving tourism demand is not new to Soyang-myeon. There have been repeated instances across various regions where the number of visitors surged in a short period after filming locations are revealed to the public.

An Hyung-sook, head of the Tourism and Festival Division at Wanju County, stated, "The Soyang-myeon area is receiving renewed attention thanks to the drama," and recommended, "If you want to walk and experience the scenery seen on screen for yourself, we encourage you to visit Soyang-myeon in Wanju this spring."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.