When Life Gives You Tangerines Filming Locations Worth Visiting: A Self-Guided Korea Travel Guide
When Life Gives You Tangerines (폭싹 속았수다) was filmed across multiple regions of Korea. This guide does not list every reported filming location. Instead, it focuses only on places that are actually worth visiting — locations that have real travel value for international visitors traveling on their own.
Drama Info
| Director | Kim Won-seok (My Mister) |
| Writer | Im Sang-chun |
| Genre | Family, Romance, Drama |
| Episodes | 16 |
| Released | March 7, 2025 (Netflix) |
| Cast | IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and Park Hae-joon |
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Set against the backdrop of Jeju Island, this drama follows Ae-soon and Gwan-sik across 60 years of love, loss, and family. Beginning in the 1950s, the story moves through generations — showing how two people navigate life together over decades. Rather than a typical romance, this is closer to a family saga.
Why This Drama Is Popular Among Travelers
The drama is deeply connected to Jeju's landscapes, but it also uses locations in mainland Korea. That makes it interesting for travelers who want to explore both Jeju and lesser-known regional destinations.
Filming Locations Worth Visiting
The locations below are associated with the drama and are real places that travelers can visit or consider adding to a Korea itinerary.
1. Seongsan Ilchulbong, Jeju
Korean: 성산일출봉
About this location: One of Jeju's most iconic landmarks and part of Jeju's UNESCO-listed volcanic landscape. Listed by Korean and travel media as one of the Jeju locations associated with the drama.
Region: Seongsan, Jeju
Can you visit? Yes
Worth visiting without a car? Yes — accessible by public bus from Jeju City or Seogwipo.
Public transport access: From Incheon Airport or Seoul, fly to Jeju International Airport. From Jeju Airport, take an intercity bus toward Seongsan. Travel time from Jeju Airport to Seongsan is roughly 1 hour, depending on traffic and bus schedules. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Early morning for sunrise. Avoid peak summer weekends if possible.
Self-guided tip: Admission fees and opening hours may change, so check official travel information before visiting. Allow at least 1–2 hours including the walk to the summit.
Local food tip: Around Seongsan, many travelers look for abalone porridge, sea urchin rice, grilled fish, and seafood stew — dishes commonly associated with Jeju's haenyeo (female diver) culture.
2. Gimnyeong Beach, Jeju
Korean: 김녕해변
About this location: A quiet coastal beach on Jeju's northeast side. Visit Jeju lists the Gimnyeong Beach area, including the beach near Delmoondo Gimnyeong Branch, as connected to the drama.
Region: Gimnyeong, Jeju
Can you visit? Yes — it is a public beach. Parking or nearby facilities may vary by season.
Worth visiting without a car? Possible by bus, but a rental car or scooter gives more flexibility in this area.
Public transport access: From Jeju International Airport, take a bus toward Gimnyeong or Woljeong-ri. A taxi or rental car gives more flexibility along Jeju's northeast coast. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Summer for swimming / Spring or fall for quieter visits
Self-guided tip: The beach is relatively quiet compared to Jeju's more popular spots. Good for a relaxed half-day stop.
Local food tip: Near Gimnyeong Beach, seafood noodles, grilled fish, and Jeju-style seafood soup are popular local options.
3. Jeju Mokgwana
Korean: 제주목관아
About this location: A restored historical government complex in central Jeju City, dating back to the Joseon period. Associated with scenes set in historical Jeju. A well-maintained heritage site with real cultural value.
Region: Jeju City, Jeju
Can you visit? Yes
Worth visiting without a car? Yes — located in central Jeju City, walkable from the downtown area.
Public transport access: Jeju Mokgwana is located in central Jeju City, one of the easier locations to reach from Jeju International Airport by bus or taxi. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Year-round. Less crowded on weekday mornings.
Self-guided tip: Admission fees and opening hours may change. Check official information before visiting. Combine with a walk around Jeju's old city center.
Local food tip: Central Jeju City has a variety of dining options. Black pork (흑돼지) and Jeju noodle dishes are among the most commonly sought by visitors in this area.
4. Ora-dong Buckwheat Flower Field, Jeju
Korean: 오라동 메밀꽃밭
About this location: A seasonal buckwheat flower field in the Ora-dong area of Jeju, associated with the drama's countryside scenery. Best known as a photography spot during bloom season.
Region: Ora-dong, Jeju City
Can you visit? Yes — seasonal. The field is most visited during buckwheat bloom season in fall.
Worth visiting without a car? Possible but easier with a car or taxi.
Public transport access: Ora-dong is located within Jeju City. From Jeju International Airport, a taxi is the most straightforward option. Local bus access may be limited depending on the exact location. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Late September to October for buckwheat flowers.
Self-guided tip: Bloom timing varies by year. Outside bloom season, the scenery may be less impressive, so it is better to check recent photos before visiting.
5. Gochang Hakwon Farm
Korean: 고창 학원농장
About this location: A large scenic farm in Gochang, Jeonbuk State. Reported by Korean travel sources as one of the drama's flower field locations. Known for its barley fields in spring and buckwheat flowers in fall.
Region: Gochang, Jeonbuk State (formerly Jeollabuk-do)
Can you visit? Yes. Entry is generally free, but seasonal events or facilities may have separate fees.
Worth visiting without a car? Difficult. Best reached by rental car. Public transport options from Gochang town are limited.
Public transport access: From Seoul, take a train or intercity bus toward Jeongeup or Gochang. The final section to Hakwon Farm is easier by taxi, as public transport schedules in this area may be limited. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: April (green barley fields and rapeseed flowers) / September (buckwheat flowers)
Self-guided tip: The annual Gochang Green Barley Field Festival is held every April. Even outside festival season, the farm is a popular countryside destination known for seasonal flower fields. Allow at least 1–2 hours for a relaxed visit.
Local food tip: Gochang is known for eel, barley dishes, buckwheat noodles, and clam kalguksu. These are good local dishes to try after visiting the farm.
6. Yeosu — Hwayangmyeon Coastline
Korean: 여수 화양면 해안
About this location: The coastline around Hwayangmyeon in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do. The Cheongsim International Marine Youth Training Center in this area is reported as one of the drama's filming locations. The surrounding coastal scenery is the main draw for visitors.
Region: Hwayangmyeon, Yeosu, Jeollanam-do
Can you visit? Partly. The coastline around Hwayangmyeon can be explored, but the training center itself may not be open for casual visitors.
Worth visiting without a car? Difficult. The Hwayangmyeon area is easier to reach by rental car or taxi from Yeosu city center.
Public transport access: From Seoul, take a KTX train or intercity bus to Yeosu. From Yeosu city center, Hwayangmyeon is easier to reach by taxi or rental car. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Spring or fall
Self-guided tip: Combine with a broader Yeosu trip. The city center waterfront area and Odongdo Island are popular nearby destinations.
Local food tip: Yeosu is known for grilled seafood, soy sauce marinated crab, and gat-kimchi (mustard leaf kimchi). These are popular local dishes to try around the Yeosu waterfront.
7. Gwangju Theater
Korean: 광주극장
About this location: A historic single-screen theater in central Gwangju, originally opened in 1935. Associated with scenes set in a period cinema. Worth visiting for its historical character and cultural atmosphere, independent of the drama connection.
Region: Gwangju Metropolitan City
Can you visit? Yes — it is an operating theater. Check current screening schedules before visiting.
Worth visiting without a car? Yes — located in central Gwangju, accessible by public transport.
Public transport access: From Seoul, take a KTX train or intercity bus to Gwangju. Gwangju Theater is located in central Gwangju and is accessible by local public transport from Gwangju Station or Gwangju Songjeong Station. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Year-round
Self-guided tip: The theater itself is the experience. Combine with a walk around central Gwangju's cultural district.
Local food tip: Gwangju is known as one of Korea's best food cities. Dishes commonly associated with the area include Gwangju-style bibimbap, kimchi dishes, and traditional Korean set meals.
The production reportedly built a large 1950s Jeju village set at the Gyeongbuk Provincial Government New Town site in Gyeongsangbuk-do. This set has since been demolished. There is nothing to visit at this location. Do not plan a trip specifically for this site.
How to Watch Outside Korea
When Life Gives You Tangerines is a Netflix original series, so the easiest way to watch it outside Korea is through Netflix.
Availability, subtitle languages, and audio options may vary depending on your country. If the title does not appear in your local Netflix library, check again later or search by both the English title and the Korean title, 폭싹 속았수다.
Final Travel Summary
| Location | Region | Visitable? | Without a Car? | Best Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seongsan Ilchulbong | Jeju | Yes | Yes | Early morning |
| Gimnyeong Beach | Jeju | Yes | Possible | Summer / Fall |
| Jeju Mokgwana | Jeju City | Yes | Yes | Year-round |
| Ora-dong Buckwheat Field | Jeju | Seasonal | Possible | Sep–Oct |
| Gochang Hakwon Farm | Jeonbuk State | Yes | Difficult | April / September |
| Yeosu Hwayangmyeon Coast | Jeollanam-do | Partly | Difficult | Spring / Fall |
| Gwangju Theater | Gwangju Metropolitan City | Yes | Yes | Year-round |
| Gyeongbuk Village Set | Gyeongsangbuk-do | No (demolished) | — | — |
Although the story is rooted in Jeju, this drama takes you across multiple regions of Korea. For travelers looking to go beyond Seoul and the usual tourist routes, these filming locations can help you discover parts of Korea that are often missed on a first trip.
Sources and Notes
This guide was compiled using official tourism pages, Korean local reports, Netflix information, and travel media coverage. Filming location details may vary by source, so some locations are described as "associated with" or "reported as" filming locations.
- Netflix Tudum — When Life Gives You Tangerines — Drama basic information
- Visit Jeju — When Life Gives You Tangerines filming locations — Jeju filming locations including Gimnyeong Beach area
- The Chosun Daily (English) — Jeju filming locations overview
- NOL World — When Life Gives You Tangerines — Jeju filming location summary
- Gyeongbuk Provincial Government — Gyeongbuk Dodongri village set information
Travel information such as opening hours, admission fees, and public transport access may change. Please check Google Maps, Naver Map, and official tourism pages before visiting.
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