Jeonju Movie Filming Locations from Twenty Five Twenty One

Jeonju: Where Korea’s Historic Screen Magic Comes Alive

Step off the train at Jeonju Station and the scent of toasted sesame oil and warm earthenware roofs greets you before you even leave the plaza. Located about two hours south of Seoul by KTX expressway, Jeonju holds a legendary status among Korean film lovers. It hosts the prestigious Jeonju International Film Festival every spring, but for location hunters, the city itself is an open-air movie set. From quiet brick tunnels hidden beneath pine trees to centuries-old Confucian halls that have hosted royalty on screen, Jeonju movie filming locations offer a rare chance to step directly inside your favorite shows.

Period dramas like Love in the Moonlight and The King’s Affection rely on Jeonju’s authentic Joseon-era architecture, while modern masterpieces like Twenty-Five Twenty-One used the city’s nostalgic vintage alleyways to capture the late 1990s. Here is your local guide to visiting the iconic movie and drama spots tucked away inside Jeonju.

Hanbyeokgul Tunnel (Twenty-Five Twenty-One)

In the hit drama Twenty-Five Twenty-One, this arched stone tunnel serves as the backdrop for one of the story’s most memorable moments, where Na Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin walk together after running away from the school security guard, turning their sorrow into quiet joy by playing in a makeshift water fountain.

In real life, Hanbyeokgul Tunnel (also called Hanbyeok-gul) is a historic concrete and brick train tunnel built during the Japanese colonial era in the 1930s to carry the old Jeolla railway line. Today, the train tracks are long gone, and the tunnel stands as a tranquil pedestrian archway framed by ivy, dense green foliage, and the gentle Jeonjuchun stream running right alongside it. Walking through the cool shade of the archway feels like stepping straight back into 1998.

How to Get There

From Jeonju Station, take Bus 119 or 535 toward Jeonju Hanok Village. Get off at the Namgwan or Hanbyeok-ru stop. Walk southeast along Girin-daero toward the stream for about seven minutes until you see the stone archway carved into the hillside below the main road upper bridge.

Jeonju Hyanggyo (Sungkyunkwan Scandal and Love in the Moonlight)

The vast wooden courtyards and ancient ginkgo trees of this location hosted the scholar-officials in training for the beloved series Sungkyunkwan Scandal, as well as romantic encounters in Love in the Moonlight. It was here that scholars in traditional robes walked along stone paths, debating philosophy and stolen glances.

Jeonju Hyanggyo is a preserved Joseon Dynasty Confucian academy originally established in the 14th century and moved to its current location in 1603. Unlike built studio sets, this historic school features authentic wooden lecture halls (Daeseongjeon and Myeongryungdang) flanked by massive ginkgo trees that are over four hundred years old. Because it remains an active heritage site, visitors can experience true 17th-century Joseon architecture without artificial modern alterations.

How to Get There

Located on the eastern edge of Jeonju Hanok Village, Jeonju Hyanggyo is easily reached on foot. From the central street of Hanok Village (Eunheng-ro), walk east down Hyanggyo-gil for about eight minutes. If coming from Jeonju Intercity Bus Terminal, take Bus 190 or 79 directly to the Hanok Village entrance and stroll down the traditional side alleyways.

Gyeonggijeon Shrine (The King’s Affection and The King’s Letters)

The stately forest trails, bamboo groves, and red wooden gates of Gyeonggijeon Shrine provided the regal background for court walks in The King’s Affection and the historical movie The King’s Letters (Naratmalssami). Characters plotted royal moves and stole quiet moments in the shade of these dark wooden verandas.

Built in 1410, Gyeonggijeon Shrine was constructed to hold the official portrait of King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty. The compound features pristine traditional annexes, stone courtyard walls, and a famous dense bamboo path that has appeared in countless cinema shots. The surrounding trees are hundreds of years old, creating a serene canopy that insulates the grounds from modern city noises.

How to Get There

Gyeonggijeon Shrine sits right at the main entrance of Jeonju Hanok Village along Taejo-ro. Take any bus bound for Hanok Village from Jeonju Station (such as Bus 79 or 119) and alight at the Hanok Village / Pungnam-mun bus stop. The shrine entrance gate is impossible to miss on your left.

Jeondong Cathedral (A Promise and The King’s Affection)

This striking cathedral gained historic cinematic fame in the tear-jerking 1998 hit movie A Promise (Yaksok), where Park Shin-yang’s character kneels in emotional prayer before the alter. More recently, its distinct exterior arches were used as cinematic backdrops in period works and historical adaptations like The King’s Affection to emphasize architectural grandeur.

Jeondong Cathedral is a Romanesque and Byzantine style church completed in 1914 by French missionary François-Xavier Baudounet. Built on the historic grounds where early Korean Christian martyrs lost their lives, the red and gray brick structure stands directly across from the traditional entry gate of Gyeonggijeon Shrine, creating an incredible visual contrast between Western architecture and Eastern wooden handiwork.

How to Get There

Jeondong Cathedral stands directly at the intersection of Taejo-ro and Pungnam-mun plaza, right across from Gyeonggijeon Shrine. From Jeonju Station, take Bus 79 or 119 directly to the Pungnam-mun / Jeondong Cathedral stop.

Make a Day of It

Jeonju is world-renowned as South Korea’s culinary capital, designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. When taking a break between filming locations, sample the iconic local dishes that make this destination special.

• Jeonju Bibimbap: Served in a piping hot stone bowl with warm rice, seasoned mountain vegetables, soybean sprouts, cooked beef, and local gochujang sauce.
• Kongnamul Gukbap: A refreshing, savory soybean sprout soup simmered with garlic, anchovy broth, and salted shrimp, perfect after a morning walk.
• PNB Choco Pie: Grab an authentic handmade chocolate pie filled with marshmallow cream and strawberry jam from PNB Bakery near the village main road.
• Nambu Market & Youth Mall: Located five minutes west of Jeondong Cathedral, this historic market features vibrant street food stalls downstairs and a trendy indie artist center upstairs.

Please remember that many residential homes border the outer alleys of Jeonju Hanok Village and the neighborhood around Hanbyeokgul Tunnel. Maintain reasonable noise levels, refrain from leaning against residential gates, and throw away trash in designated receptacles.

Photo Tips

To capture the exact framed tunnel shot from Twenty-Five Twenty-One at Hanbyeokgul Tunnel, stand approximately fifteen meters outside the northern entrance facing south, angling your camera slightly upward so the arch frames the bright foliage beyond. Visit between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM to avoid crowds and catch soft morning light filtering through the tree canopy. For Jeonju Hyanggyo, head to the Myeongryungdang courtyard in mid-to-late autumn when the giant ginkgo trees drop a brilliant yellow blanket across the ancient stone courtyard.

FAQ

How far is Jeonju from Seoul by public transit?

The KTX train ride from Seoul Station or Yongsan Station to Jeonju Station takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. Intercity buses from Seoul Express Bus Terminal take about 2 hours and 40 minutes depending on traffic.

Can I rent a hanbok to wear at these filming locations?

Yes, dozens of rental shops operate along Taejo-ro and Eunheng-ro near Jeonju Hanok Village. Renting a traditional hanbok allows free entry into Gyeonggijeon Shrine and provides authentic photos at Hyanggyo.

Are these filming locations free to visit?

Hanbyeokgul Tunnel, Jeonju Hyanggyo, and the cathedral grounds are free to access. Gyeonggijeon Shrine requires a small entry fee at the gate. Always check operating hours before traveling as site schedules may shift for maintenance or special ceremonies.

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