Tongyeong Filming Spots for School 2015 and Kdrama Fans

Tongyeong Coastal Drama Spots

Standing at the edge of Yi Sun-sin Park as the sea breeze sweeps across the southern coastline, you immediately understand why Korean drama directors keep returning to Tongyeong. Often nicknamed the Napoli of Korea, this historic port city in South Gyeongsang Province blends vibrant hillside alleyways with serene maritime landscapes. For drama enthusiasts, Tongyeong provides the backdrop to some of the most memorable emotional turns in recent television history.

Shows like Who Are You: School 2015 and classic romances like Padam Padam rely on Tongyeong to establish a clear contrast against Seoul's high-rise sensory overload. Even the fantasy mega-hit My Love from the Star used the archipelago nearby to create a sense of secluded magic. If you are scouting tongyeong drama filming spots for your next trip to Korea, this coastal town offers a rewarding mix of cinematic nostalgia, steep walking paths, and exceptional seafood.

Dongpirang Mural Village

In Who Are You: School 2015, this vibrant hillside neighborhood serves as the setting for Lee Eun-bi's early life, capturing her quiet resilience amid difficult circumstances. The same colorful winding staircases appear prominently in the 2011 drama Padam Padam, where the lead characters walk through the maze-like alleys during moments of quiet reflection.

In real life, Dongpirang Mural Village is a former residential neighborhood that was scheduled for demolition in the mid-2000s. Local artists transformed the community by painting murals on every wall, turning it into one of Korea's pioneer public art projects. Today, local muralists refresh the artwork every two years, which means the visuals change over time while retaining the vintage layout featured on screen. Because local residents still live in these homes, visitors should keep voices low and stay on designated public paths.

How to get there

From Tongyeong Intercity Bus Terminal, cross the street to the main bus stop and take city bus 101, 141, or 200. Ride for approximately 20 to 25 minutes and disembark at Jungang Market (중앙시장) stop. Walk east toward the harbor, and you will see the painted sloped entrance leading up into the village.

Yi Sun-sin Park

This wide seaside sanctuary appears in Who Are You: School 2015 during crucial early episodes. The quiet coastal path along the shore is where the story's emotional foundation is laid, framing the character's inner turmoil against a vast, quiet ocean expanse.

The park honours Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the historic Korean naval hero who won key battles in these waters during the 16th century. It features wide wooden boardwalks along the rocky shoreline, dense pine trees, and a towering statue of the admiral looking out over the harbor. It is a favored quiet spot for locals taking morning strolls, offering unobstructed views of small islands dotted across the blue sea.

How to get there

From Jungang Market or the city center, take bus 101, 301, or 401 to Munsang High School (문성고등학교) stop. From the bus stop, follow the brown pedestrian signs toward Yi Sun-sin Park (이순신공원). The walk takes roughly 15 minutes along a paved, slightly elevated road.

Jangsaedo Sea Park (Camellia Park)

In My Love from the Star, Do Min-joon teleports Cheon Song-yi away from media frenzies to a quiet, striking island featuring a dense green tunnel covered in bright red petals. Their walk through the arching camellia foliage created one of the visual hallmarks of the show.

Jangsaedo Sea Park is a long, narrow island maritime park located off the coast of Tongyeong. Formerly home to a small fishing village, it was redeveloped into a botanical sanctuary housing over 100,000 camellia trees, wild hydrangeas, and modern outdoor art installations. The island is accessible via scheduled passenger ferries departing from mainland terminals in Tongyeong.

How to get there

Head to the Tongyeong Cruise Terminal (통영유람선선착장) near Donam-dong. Take a public ferry bound for Jangsaedo (장사도). The boat ride takes around 40 minutes each way. Ferry schedules vary significantly by season and sea conditions, so verify departure times at the terminal upon arrival in Tongyeong.

Gangguan Harbor and Central Market

This harbor front serves as a central anchor in Padam Padam, illustrating the daily maritime routines of the lead characters as they navigate local markets and small docks. The background hum of boat engines and fishing gear lends the drama its grounded, authentic southern coast feel.

Gangguan is a natural inner harbor located right in the center of Tongyeong. It remains home to traditional fishing vessels and historic full-scale replicas of Turtle Ships (Geobukseon) from the Joseon Dynasty. Surrounding the water is Tongyeong Jungang Market, an active seafood market where local vendors sell fresh catches, dried fish, and regional snacks daily.

How to get there

Nearly all city buses departing from Tongyeong Intercity Bus Terminal pass through the downtown harbor area. Board bus 100, 101, 104, or 141 and get off at Jungang Market (중앙시장). The harbor sits directly opposite the main market entry point.

Make a Day of It

Combining your filming location visits into a smooth itinerary is easy due to Tongyeong's compact geographical layout. Start your morning at Dongpirang Mural Village before the afternoon heat and crowds arrive. After reaching the top of the village, walk down directly into Jungang Market for a classic regional meal.

Spot	Recommended Activity	Estimated Time
Dongpirang Mural Village	Mural photography and coffee over the bay	1.5 Hours
Jungang Market	Try Chungmu Gimbap and Kkulppang	1 Hour
Yi Sun-sin Park	Coastal path walk and seaside bench rest	2 Hours

Tongyeong is famous across Korea for its distinct culinary specialties that you will not find in Seoul. Do not leave without trying these two signature local foods:

• Chungmu Gimbap: Simple bite-sized rice rolls wrapped in unseasoned seaweed, served alongside spicy squids and fermented radish kimchi. It was originally created for fishermen so food would not spoil quickly at sea.
• Omija Kkulppang (Honey Bread): Deep-fried dough balls stuffed with sweet red bean paste and coated in shiny honey syrup, perfect as an afternoon snack while walking along the harbor.

If you have extra time in the late afternoon, take a short bus ride south toward the Tongyeong Cable Car on Mount Mireuk. A short ride takes you to a viewpoint offering a 360-degree view of the entire Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park.

Photo Tips

Capturing accurate angles at these tongyeong drama filming spots requires good timing regarding light and foot traffic:

• Dongpirang Murals: Visit around 9:00 AM. The early morning light lights up the eastern slopes, and you will avoid waiting in long lines for photos in front of popular mural backdrops.
• The Camellia Tunnel at Jangsaedo: If you visit between December and March during the peak bloom, set your camera to a low, wide angle looking up through the foliage archways to recreate the frame seen in My Love from the Star.
• Yi Sun-sin Park Coastal Trail: Walk down to the wooden boardwalk section near the water's edge during golden hour (late afternoon). Position your camera low along the railing path looking east toward the small offshore islands.

FAQ

How do I travel from Seoul to Tongyeong efficiently?

Take an express bus from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Express Bus Terminal Station, Lines 3, 7, and 9) directly to Tongyeong Intercity Bus Terminal. The journey takes approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes. There is no direct high-speed KTX train to Tongyeong, so express buses are the most straightforward public transit option.

Can I visit Jangsaedo Sea Park on a day trip?

Yes, but you must plan around the ferry schedules. Round-trip ferry service combined with the mandatory island walking time takes around 3.5 to 4 hours in total. It is best to catch a morning ferry from Tongyeong Cruise Terminal so you have the remaining afternoon free for mainland sights like Dongpirang.

Are these filming spots easily accessible for travelers with limited mobility?

Dongpirang Mural Village features steep inclines, uneven stone steps, and narrow alleys that are difficult to navigate with wheelchairs or strollers. However, Yi Sun-sin Park features paved main paths and flat observation areas near the main entrance that are far easier to access.

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