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[Travel+Leisure] Southeast Asia August 2017 Issue



I’ve been known to get a little starstruck when meeting Korean celebrities. Yet, as these opportunities are few and far between, then next best thing is to visit the shooting locations of some of my favourite TV dramas and walk in their footsteps of the stars. And fortunately for me, Seoul is full of them.


   
Thanks to the huge popularity of Hallyu, or the Korean Wave, so many TV dramas and movies have been filmed here so the city has almost become a virtual outdoor entertainment museum, with dozens of familiar attractions and cozy hideaways where actors entertained thousands of fans. Take, for example, my first visit to Artmon Stay, made famous from the TV hit “Legend of the Blue Sea” starring Jun Ji-hyun and Heo Joon-jae. It is here, up on the rooftop that overlooks the neon city below, that the two stars shared romantic encounters. And given the glowing urban backdrop, it’s not hard to understand why. This location is perfect for spending the night huddled up close and enjoying the surrounding cityscape. I still consider this to be one of my favourite scenes from the show.



Next up, Cafe Plate B. This cozy setting was used for “Strong Woman Dobongsoon”, starring Park Bo-young, Park Hyung-sik and Ji Soo. Fans of the show may recognize the small walnut-shaped cake. It is a Korean delicacy and a signature dish served here. It is absolutely delicious and not at all surprising that it appeared in this notable scene.




My journey finally brings me to the relatively remote set of “The Liar and His Lover”, starring Kang Han-Kyeol and Yoon So-Rime. It is here along this peaceful stream where they strolled together. The area has a really quaint feel to it, and its mountain backdrop only adds to its charm. As I walk along the path I am instantly transported back to the show. Walking in the footsteps of Korean celebrities reignites my appreciation for the aforementioned TV drama and shines a new light on the growing success of Hallyu.