Cheongju Day Trip for The Glory Filming Locations

When Netflix dropped The Glory, millions of viewers around the globe were captivated by Song Hye-kyo’s chill-inducing performance as Moon Dong-eun. But as a lifelong K-drama fan who grew up taking intercity buses across South Korea, my eyes went straight to the atmospheric surroundings. That breathtaking, solemn park where Dong-eun learns the strategic game of Go under a massive golden ginkgo tree isn’t a studio set in Seoul—it is located right in the heart of Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province.

Cheongju sits just under two hours south of Seoul, making it one of the easiest and most satisfying day trips for drama lovers. Its blend of historic quietude, industrial art spaces, and wide rivers gave The Glory its signature melancholic, cinematic look. If you want to step directly into Dong-eun and Yeo-jung’s intense visual world, here is your step-by-step guide to exploring the real-life filming spots in Cheongju.

Jungang Park (Central Park)

This is undeniably the holy grail location for fans of the series. In the drama, this public park serves as the outdoor Go (Baduk) battleground where Joo Yeo-jung (Lee Do-hyun) teaches Moon Dong-eun the nuances of the game, setting the stage for their quiet alliance. The giant Go tables surrounded by senior citizens in the show reflected the quiet, calculating mood that defined Dong-eun’s revenge plot.

In real life, Jungang Park is a cherished historical green space right in downtown Cheongju. The real star of the park is the 900-year-old Ginkgo Tree, locally known as the Amnoksu (Venerable Ginkgo Tree). The park also holds significant regional heritage, housing historical pavilions like Mangseonru, the oldest wooden building in Cheongju. On warm afternoons, local elders still gather here to play board games, maintaining an atmosphere remarkably similar to the scene in the drama.

How to get there

From Seoul, take the KTX high-speed train from Yongsan Station or Seoul Station to Osong Station (approx. 50 minutes). From Osong Station Exit 1, head to the bus stop and catch City Bus No. 500, 511, or 747 heading toward downtown Cheongju. Get off at the Jungang Park Stop or Seomun Market Stop. The total bus ride takes about 35 to 40 minutes. Walk two minutes down the main avenue, and you will see the stone pavilion entrance to the park.

MMCA Cheongju (National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art)

In several exterior and atmospheric scenes, the cool, structured concrete backdrops highlight the dark, sleek world of Ha Do-young (Jung Sung-ill) and the high-society art culture tied to Park Yeon-jin’s social circle. The clean lines and imposing industrial facades of this location mirror the stoic, high-stakes tone of the drama.

In reality, this striking building is the Cheongju branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA). Formerly a massive tobacco processing factory built in the 1940s, the space underwent a brilliant architectural transformation and reopened in 2018 as Korea’s first open-storage museum. Visitors can view thousands of sculptures and modern artworks inside climate-controlled glass storage units. The surrounding plaza offers an impressive backdrop of red brick and brushed concrete.

How to get there

From Jungang Park, you can take local Bus No. 105, 831, or 832 directly to the Culture Factory / MMCA Cheongju Stop. The journey takes roughly 15 minutes. Alternatively, a taxi ride from downtown Cheongju to the museum costs around 6,000 to 8,000 KRW and takes under 10 minutes.

Yonghwasa Temple

Yonghwasa Temple provides the serene backdrop during reflective, quiet moments where characters stroll along stone pathways framed by traditional architecture. The juxtaposition of ancient spiritual grounds against Dong-eun’s burning desire for justice adds profound visual symbolism to the storyline.

Located along the Musimcheon Stream, Yonghwasa is an active, welcoming Buddhist temple belonging to the Jogye Order. It is renowned for housing seven large stone Buddha statues dating back to the Goryeo Dynasty, which are designated as official treasures of South Korea. The temple grounds are peaceful, landscaped with ancient pine trees, traditional lanterns, and delicate stone pagodas. Because this is an active religious site, visitors should maintain a quiet voice and refrain from filming monks or worshippers.

How to get there

Yonghwasa is situated within comfortable walking distance from Jungang Park. Simply walk west toward the Musimcheon Stream for about 10 minutes (approximately 800 meters). If you prefer taking a bus, ride Bus No. 30-1 or 811-1 from the downtown area and get off at the Yonghwasa Temple Stop.

Musimcheon Stream Promenade

The wide, scenic riverbed and walking paths along Musimcheon Stream are featured in various outdoor transitional scenes throughout the drama, reflecting the seasonal changes as Dong-eun steadily executes her long-term plan.

Musimcheon Stream is the ecological heart of Cheongju, cutting through the entire city center. During springtime, it is famous as one of Korea’s premier cherry blossom walking routes, while autumn brings brilliant gold foliage from the lining trees. Local residents use the paved riverside paths for evening walks, cycling, and leisure. It offers an authentic slice of everyday Korean city life away from the typical Seoul tourist crowds.

How to get there

The stream runs directly parallel to downtown Cheongju and Yonghwasa Temple. You can easily access the walking paths via any of the staircases along the main river road, right across from Jungang Park or Yonghwasa.

Make a Day of It

Cheongju is famous among Koreans as a comfort food capital, so taking a filming location tour means you will eat exceptionally well. Start your morning with a stroll through Jungang Park, then head across the street to Cheongju Seomun Market. This historic market features a dedicated Samgyeopsal Street (Pork Belly Street), where local restaurants serve grilled pork marinated in a traditional herbal soy bath—a regional culinary specialty you won’t find made quite the same way in Seoul.

After lunch, take a quick bus ride to Suamgol Mural Village, located on the hillside of Mount Uam. Originally a refuge village for displaced families after the Korean War, Suamgol has transformed into a vibrant artistic quarter filled with colorful wall paintings and quirky craft shops. K-drama veterans might also recognize Suamgol from classic series like Cain and Abel and Bread, Love and Dreams. The hilltop near Suamgol offers a line of modern cafes with glass terraces where you can enjoy an iced Americano while taking in panoramic views of the entire Cheongju skyline.

Photo Tips

To capture the exact cinematic feeling from The Glory, timing is everything. For the ultimate Go board scene aesthetic at Jungang Park, visit during late October or early November when the ancient Ginkgo tree drops a yellow blanket of leaves across the stone tables. Frame your photo looking up toward the tree branches from a low angle across the stone benches to replicate the dramatic framing used in the drama.

At MMCA Cheongju, head to the wide outdoor concrete plaza during late afternoon. The golden hour lighting casts long, dramatic shadows against the museum’s geometric facade, allowing you to recreate the moody, minimalistic portraits seen in modern thriller dramas. Be sure to check museum open hours before planning interior photos, as filming inside active exhibit halls is restricted.

FAQ

How long does it take to travel from Seoul to Cheongju for a day trip?

Taking the KTX train from Yongsan Station or Seoul Station to Osong Station takes approximately 50 minutes. From Osong Station, a local city bus takes roughly 35 to 40 minutes to reach downtown Cheongju where the major filming sites are located. Overall, plan for about 1.5 hours of travel time each way.

Do I need to pay an admission fee to visit these filming locations?

No, the primary locations featured in The Glory in Cheongju are free to access. Jungang Park, Yonghwasa Temple, and the Musimcheon Stream promenade are public sites open daily. Admission to the exterior grounds and main open storage exhibition floor at MMCA Cheongju is also free, though special temporary exhibitions may require a small ticket fee.

Can I play Go (Baduk) at Jungang Park like in the show?

While the actual giant outdoor Go tables created specifically for the show’s central tournament scenes were temporary props, the park has long-standing stone and wooden chess/Go tables where local elders play daily. You are welcome to sit at the open park tables, relax, and take photos, but please remain respectful of locals enjoying their daily recreation.

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