The Glory Filming Locations Worth Visiting: A Self-Guided Korea Travel Guide
The Glory (더 글로리) is a 2022–2023 Netflix revenge drama that gained wide international attention. 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 | Ahn Gil-ho |
| Writer | Kim Eun-sook |
| Genre | Thriller, Revenge, Drama |
| Episodes | 16 (released in two parts) |
| Released | December 30, 2022 / March 10, 2023 (Netflix) |
| Cast | Song Hye-kyo, Lee Do-hyun, Lim Ji-yeon, Yeom Hye-ran |
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Moon Dong-eun survived years of brutal school violence. As an adult, she has spent everything — her education, her career, her relationships — building a single plan: to destroy the people who ruined her life. The Glory is not a comfortable watch, but it is a carefully constructed story about consequences, patience, and what it costs to pursue justice on your own terms.
Why This Drama Works for Travelers
While The Glory is a dark revenge drama, several of its filming locations are real public places with cultural, architectural, or regional travel value. The drama gives travelers a reason to explore places such as Cheongju, Incheon, Ganghwa Island, and quieter parts of Seoul that are often missed on first-time Korea itineraries.
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. Cheongju Jungang Park (청주 중앙공원)
About this location: A city park in central Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, associated with scenes where Moon Dong-eun and Joo Yeo-jeong play Go (baduk) together. The park is home to a striking ginkgo tree estimated to be around 900 years old, which is visible in the background of several scenes. The Go board and pieces remain in the park and visitors can sit and play. The park has real cultural value independent of any drama connection.
Region: Sangdang-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do
Can you visit? Yes — it is a public park, open year-round.
Worth visiting without a car? Yes — located in central Cheongju, walkable from Cheongju city center.
Public transport access: From Seoul, take an intercity bus or express bus to Cheongju. The park is located in the city center and accessible by local bus or on foot from the bus terminal. Cheongju is a manageable day trip from Seoul by intercity or express bus. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Autumn for the ginkgo tree foliage. Year-round for the park itself.
Self-guided tip: The 900-year-old ginkgo tree is the main draw. Combine with a walk around Cheongju's old city center nearby.
Local food tip: Cheongju is known for Cheongju makgeolli (rice wine) and local pork dishes. The city center has a variety of traditional Korean restaurants within walking distance of the park.
2. Cheongna Lake Park (청라호수공원)
About this location: A large lakeside park in the Cheongna International City district of Incheon, associated with the Go park scenes where Dong-eun meets Ha Do-young. The park features a music fountain, lakeside pavilion, outdoor concert hall, rose garden, and bike paths. It is a well-maintained public space with real leisure value for visitors in the Incheon area.
Region: Seo-gu, Incheon
Can you visit? Yes — it is a public park, open year-round.
Worth visiting without a car? Yes — accessible by subway.
Public transport access: Take the Airport Railroad (AREX) or Incheon Line 2 toward Cheongna. From Cheongna International City Station, the park is within walking distance. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Spring for the rose garden / Summer evenings for the music fountain.
Self-guided tip: The park is large — allow at least 1 to 2 hours for a relaxed walk. Bike rentals may be available nearby.
Local food tip: The Cheongna area has a growing number of cafes and restaurants. For a fuller Incheon experience, Incheon Chinatown and Sinpo International Market are roughly 30 minutes away by transit.
3. Mungttaerim Cafe, Ganghwa Island (멍때림 카페)
About this location: A cafe on Ganghwa Island in Incheon, associated with Lee Sa-ra's mansion scenes in the drama. The building's exterior and grounds were used to represent a luxurious private estate. In real life it is an operating cafe known for its scenic coastal setting. Ganghwa Island itself is a popular day trip from Seoul, known for its history, fortresses, and coastal scenery.
Region: Hwado-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
Can you visit? Yes — it is an operating cafe.
Worth visiting without a car? Difficult. Ganghwa Island is easier to explore with a rental car or taxi.
Public transport access: From Seoul, take a bus toward Ganghwa from Sinchon Bus Terminal or Gimpo Airport Bus Terminal. From Ganghwa Bus Terminal, a taxi is the most practical option to reach the cafe. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Spring or fall for coastal scenery.
Self-guided tip: Combine with other Ganghwa Island stops — Gwangseongjin Fortress, Jeondunsa Temple, and the coastal mud flats are all worth adding to a Ganghwa itinerary.
Local food tip: Ganghwa Island is known for its ginseng, pureun (mugwort) rice, and fresh seafood along the coast.
4. Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort (엘리시안 강촌 스키장)
About this location: A ski resort in Chuncheon, Gangwon State, associated with scenes where the group of bullies spend a vacation together. Elysian Gangchon is one of the closest ski resorts to Seoul and is notable for being accessible by subway and train without a car — an unusual feature for a Korean ski resort. Outside of ski season, the resort area and surrounding Gangchon valley have appeal for nature-focused visitors.
Region: Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon, Gangwon State
Can you visit? Yes. Ski season is roughly December to March. The resort may have limited offerings outside ski season.
Worth visiting without a car? Yes — accessible by ITX-Cheongchun train from Seoul's Yongsan or Cheongnyangni Station to Gangchon Station, then shuttle bus.
Public transport access: Take the ITX-Cheongchun from Yongsan or Cheongnyangni Station to Gangchon Station. A shuttle bus connects to the resort during ski season. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: December to March for skiing. Spring and fall for the surrounding valley scenery.
Self-guided tip: Combine with a stop in Chuncheon city — known for its dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) and the Soyang River area.
Local food tip: Chuncheon is well known for dakgalbi. Several dakgalbi restaurants are clustered near Chuncheon Station and in the Myeongdong area of Chuncheon city.
5. Gilsangsa Temple, Seoul (길상사)
About this location: A Buddhist temple in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul, associated with scenes where one of the characters kneels and asks for forgiveness. Gilsangsa is a quiet, well-maintained temple in a residential hillside neighborhood in northern Seoul. It has real cultural and atmospheric value, particularly for visitors looking for a quieter alternative to the larger palaces and temples in the city center.
Region: Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
Can you visit? Yes — open to visitors. Check current opening hours before visiting.
Worth visiting without a car? Yes — accessible by bus from central Seoul.
Public transport access: From Hansung University Station (Line 4), take a local bus toward Gilsangsa. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Spring for cherry blossoms / Autumn for foliage. The temple grounds are particularly atmospheric in early morning.
Self-guided tip: The temple is small and best explored slowly. Combine with a walk through the Seongbuk-dong neighborhood, known for its quiet streets and independent cafes.
Local food tip: Seongbuk-dong has a growing cafe culture and several traditional Korean restaurants in the surrounding streets.
How to Watch Outside Korea
The Glory is a Netflix original series available in two parts. Search by both the English title and the Korean title, 더 글로리, if it does not appear in your local Netflix library. Availability and subtitle options may vary by country.
Final Travel Summary
| Location | Region | Visitable? | Without a Car? | Best Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheongju Jungang Park | Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do | Yes | Yes | Autumn |
| Cheongna Lake Park | Incheon | Yes | Yes | Spring / Summer |
| Mungttaerim Cafe | Ganghwa Island, Incheon | Yes | Difficult | Spring / Fall |
| Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort | Chuncheon, Gangwon State | Yes | Yes | Dec – Mar |
| Gilsangsa Temple | Seongbuk-gu, Seoul | Yes | Yes | Spring / Autumn |
The Glory takes its audience well beyond Seoul, into Cheongju and the quieter parts of Incheon. For travelers who want to explore Korea's regional cities rather than staying in the capital, this drama offers a practical starting point — even if the story itself is anything but peaceful.
Sources and Notes
This guide was compiled using Korean travel media, international travel platforms, and location-based travel resources. Filming location details may vary by source, so some locations are described as "associated with" or "reported as" filming locations.
- Creatrip — The Glory filming locations overview
- KoreaTravelPost — The Glory filming location details
- Visit Korea — Cheongju as a filming location for The Glory
- Korea Herald — Drama Tour: Cheongju through The Glory
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.
Comments
Post a Comment