Today we are going to learn about the filming locations seen in KBS's historical drama, The King's Affection, which has garnered a lot of attention and excitement among viewers.

The King's Affection centers around a princess, originally sent away in secret due to the superstition surrounding twins, who takes the place of her twin brother after his death.

The story is captivating, and is aided by the beautiful imagery, which we will explore today.

Spoiler warning, if you haven't watched yet, you might want to do so first!

Munheon Seowon Confucian Academy
문헌서원

Address: 충남 서천군 서원로 172번길 66
66 Seowon-ro 172beon-gil, Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do

Hours:
Mar-Oct 09:00-18:00
Nov-Feb 09:00-17:00
Closed Mondays

Born as a twin to the royal family, but abandoned due to superstition that twins were a bad omen, Dami lived at the temple without knowing her true identity. After a fire broke out, however, she came to the palace and became a court maid, where she met her twin broth, the Seh-Ja.

Estimated to have been built in the 1580s-1590s, it is an institution in charge of holding ancestral rites for famous scholars and cultivating local talents. There are many Confucian academies in Korea, but this one attracts attention for its beauty that blends well with the natural scenery.

Hangae Village
한개마을

Address: 경북 성주군 월향면 한개2길 8
8 Hangae 2-gil, Wolhyang-myeon, Seongju-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do

This is where the fateful meeting of Dami and Jung Ji-un takes place. Dami, who was reading a book, suddenly dropped the book into the pond in surprise when Ji-un spoke to her. Dami tried to fetch the book, but Ji-un tried to stop her from going in the pond and ended up falling in. Dami saved him from drowning, which sparked his feelings for her.

Korean Folk Village
한국민속촌

Address: 경기 용인시 기흥구 민속촌로 90
90 Minsokchon-ro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do

Hours: 10:00-18:00

Jung Ji-un asked out Dami, but then she couldn't make it because of an urgent matter.

The place where Ji-un eagerly waited for him is in the Korean Folk Village in Yongin-si, which has also been featured in other dramas and films such as Dae Jang Geum, My Love From The Star, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, and Tale Of The Nine Tailed.

MBC Yongin Dae Jang Geum Park
MBC 용인 대장금 파크

Address: 경기 용인시 처인구 백암면 용천드라마길 25
25 Yongcheon Drama-gil, Baekam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do

Hours:
Mar-Oct 09:00-18:00
Nov-Feb 09:00-17:00

Yongin Dae Jang Geum Park appears throughout the drama as the main palace landscape. This location has been seen in many of MBC's historical dramas such as The Rebel, Gu Family Book, Dong Yi, The Moon Embracing The Sun, and The King's Doctor.

Although The King's Affection is a KBS drama, it was filmed here because the setting worked well for the story.

Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park
문경새재 도립공원

Address: 경북 문경시 문경읍 새재로 932
932 Saejae-ro, Mungyeong-eup, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Hours: Open 24 hours a day

Mugyeong Saejae Provincial Park is a historical drama set where Joseon Dynasty reproductions have been built.

It can be seen in many other Joseon era dramas such as Kingdom, The Moon Embracing The Sun, Six Flying Dragons, The Face Reader, and Masquerade.

Buan Cinema Theme Park
부안영상테마파크

Address: 전북 부안군 변산면 격포로 309-64
309-64 Gyeokpo-ro, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do

The huge birthday feast scene was filmed at Buan Cinema Theme Park, where Joseon era Seoul, known then as Hanyang, has been recreated.

Dramas and films such as The Throne, The Pirates, and Masquerade were filmed in part here.

Geochang Itae Sarangbawi
거창 이태사랑바위

Address: 경남 거창군 위천면 황산리 산 40-1
San 40-1 Hwangsan-ri, Wicheon-myeon, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

In episode 3, while being chased by soldiers, Ji-un and Lee Hwi jump off this rock to escape.

In the drama, this place has a sense of urgency, but in real life, it is a very peaceful place to visit.

Andong Manhyujeong
안동 만휴정

Address: 경북 안동시 길안면 묵계하리길 42
42 Mukgyehari-gil, Gilan-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

In the fourth episode, Lee Hwi gives Jung Ji-un the task of catching a fish bare-handed as a test to see if he deserves to be his teacher.

Andong Hahoe Village may come to mind first when you think of Andong, but you can see beautiful old houses throughout Andong like Manhyujeong Pavilion.

Gwanghalluwon Garden
광한루원

Address: 전북 남원시 요천로 1447
1447 Pocheon-ro, Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do

Gwanghalluwon is a very beautiful garden located in Namwon.

In episode 4, we see Lee Hwi and a whole entourage here while his bodyguard Kim Ga-on shouts after him for violating his order to keep an escort at least five steps away.

Jukjusanseong Fortress
죽주산성

Address: 경기 안성시 죽산면 죽양대로 111-46
111-46 Jukyang-daero, Juksan-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do

This is a secret place where Lee Hwi comes to calm his thoughts when they become too muddled and intense.

In fact, at Jukjusanseong Fortress there is an easy hiking trail that you can spend about an hour looking around. It is even more lovely when it turns golden in the autumn.

Sangdangsanseong Fortress
상당산성

Address: 충북 청주시 상당구 산성동 산 28-2
San 28-2 Sanseong-dong, Sangsang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do

It is here that Ji-un confesses his feelings to the Crown Prince, saying he can overcome whatever people will think. Unfortunately, Lee Hwi must put royal duties above all else and reject Ji-un. In the end, because of this, Ji-un decides to leave the palace and part ways with Lee Hwi.

This has been a look at filming locations seen in The King's Affection.

Which places are you going to add to your Korea travel itinerary?