Visiting Secret Garden Kdrama Locations in Korea

Revisiting a Classic Fantasy Romance Across South Korea

Fourteen years after Gil Ra-im stepped onto the stunt set in her worn leather jacket, Korean drama fans still search for the crisp glass houses, coastal resorts, and misty pine forests that defined the 2010 hit series. When Secret Garden aired, Kim Joo-won’s iconic tracksuits and Oska’s grand estate transformed quiet suburban neighborhoods into instant pilgrimage sites. Visiting these iconic secret garden kdrama locations today offers a wonderful mix of classic Hallyu nostalgia, stunning modern architecture, and scenic Korean countryside.

Whether you are a longtime fan reminiscing about the body-swapping romance or a newer drama watcher exploring early 2010s classics, this guide covers the real-world spots you can actually visit. Because several filming sites are located outside central Seoul, planning your transit ahead of time makes for a smooth, stress-free day trip.

Maiim Vision Village (Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do)

This grand eco-estate served as Kim Joo-won’s famous clear glass house and his cousin Oska’s sprawling luxury residence. In the drama, the pristine pond, manicured lawns, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls reflected Joo-won’s opulent lifestyle and provided the backdrop for countless intense conversations between the leads.

In real life, Maiim Vision Village is a private corporate retreat and research facility owned by the Maiim Group, a Korean health and cosmetics company. Designed with eco-friendly architectural philosophy, the grounds feature lush botanical gardens, peaceful walking paths, and striking modern buildings that blend into the surrounding hills of Yeoju.

Important Visitor Note: Maiim Vision Village is private property. It is not generally open for unannounced walk-in tourism. However, drama enthusiasts frequently travel to the outer perimeter, and the facility occasionally hosts special cultural events, open-garden days, or private bookings. Always check local announcement boards or travel forums before making the trip, and remember to respect private boundary signs if you visit the area.

How to Get There

To reach the Yeoju area from Seoul, take the Gyeonggang Subway Line from Pangyo Station to Yeoju Station (the terminal stop, which takes roughly 50 minutes). From Yeoju Station, taking a local taxi to the Maiim Vision Village area in Neungseo-myeon takes around 20 to 25 minutes. Alternatively, local buses run toward Neungseo-myeon from Yeoju Bus Terminal, though taxis are far more reliable for rural transfers.

Petite France (Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do)

Petite France is the colorful background where Gil Ra-im films an action scene as a stuntwoman, and where Joo-won follows her, unable to get her out of his mind. The outdoor amphitheater and pastel-tinted European streets host one of their early memorable encounters.

Situated on a hillside overlooking the Bukhangang River in Gapyeong, Petite France is a French-themed cultural village dedicated to the story of The Little Prince and French regional architecture. Visitors can stroll through cobblestone walkways, browse vintage European antique collections, and watch puppet performances set against bright blue, yellow, and terracotta facades.

How to Get There

Take the ITX-Cheongchun train from Yongsan Station or Cheongnyangni Station in Seoul to Cheongpyeong Station or Gapyeong Station. From either station, board the Gapyeong City Tour Bus (a convenient hop-on, hop-off service) which stops directly at Petite France. The bus route also connects to other popular regional spots like Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm.

Heyri Art Village and White Block (Paju, Gyeonggi-do)

The sleek, minimalist spaces of Paju serve as the background for the Action School where Gil Ra-im trains, as well as various modern cafes where Joo-won tries to get closer to her. White Block Art Center, with its floor-to-ceiling glass design overlooking a central natural pond, appears prominently during cafe scenes throughout the show.

Heyri Art Village is an eco-friendly cultural district in Paju where writers, painters, architects, and musicians live, work, and display their art. Every building in Heyri is custom-built to blend naturally with the landscape, making the entire complex a dream for lovers of contemporary architecture and modern art galleries.

How to Get There

Reaching Heyri Art Village from central Seoul is simple without a car. Go to Hapjeong Station (Seoul Subway Line 2 and Line 6) and head to Exit 1. Board Bus 2200, an express red bus that travels straight up the highway to Paju. Get off at the Heyri Art Village bus stop (Gate 1 or Gate 4). The ride usually takes 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.

Seaes Hotel & Resort (Jeju Island)

During the Jeju Island getaway episodes, Joo-won and Ra-im stay at a tranquil oceanfront resort featuring traditional stone architecture. The peaceful wooden bench overlooking the crashing ocean waves is where one of the most famous romantic scenes in the entire drama was filmed.

The Seaes Hotel & Resort is located within the Jungmun Tourist Complex on Jeju Island’s southern shore. It is renowned for combining traditional Jeju-style thatched roof cottages (known as choga) and volcanic stone walls with modern luxury resort facilities. The oceanfront gardens are open to hotel guests and visitors dining at the resort’s restaurant or outdoor tea garden.

How to Get There

After landing at Jeju International Airport (CJU), locate the Airport Limousine Bus stop outside the arrivals terminal. Board Bus 600, which runs frequently between the airport and Jungmun Resort. Get off at the Jeju International Convention Center (ICC) or Jungmun Tourist Complex stop, both of which are within a 5-to-10-minute walk or short taxi ride to Seaes Hotel.

Make a Day of It

Because these secret garden kdrama locations span across different provinces, grouping your visits by region saves time and energy. Here is how you can build memorable day itineraries around each stop:

• Paju Day Trip: Pair your walk through Heyri Art Village with a visit to the nearby Paju Book City, a beautiful district dedicated entirely to publishing houses and architectural book cafes. End your afternoon with a stroll around the Odusan Unification Observatory for views across the border.
• Gapyeong Excursion: Combine Petite France with the neighboring Italian Village (Pinocchio & Da Vinci) right next door. You can also catch the Gapyeong City Tour Bus to Nami Island for a full day of K-drama filming spot hopping.
• Jeju Coastline Tour: Combine a visit to Seaes Hotel with a walk along the Jeju Olle Trail Route 8, which runs right past the resort. Afterwards, explore the nearby Jusangjeolli Cliff to admire natural basalt column formations carved by the sea.

Photo Tips

Capturing great photos at these classic locations comes down to timing and framing. At Petite France, head up to the upper terrace near the amphitheater in the mid-afternoon; the sunlight hits the pastel buildings directly, casting vivid color reflections across your frame. For White Block in Paju, sit by the large second-floor glass windows during the hour before sunset to catch the warm glow on the reed pond outside. If you visit Seaes Hotel on Jeju Island, walk to the cliffside lawn near the garden benches during early morning or late afternoon to avoid bright mid-day glare on the ocean horizon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside Kim Joo-won’s house at Maiim Vision Village?

No, the glass mansion at Maiim Vision Village is located on private corporate grounds and is generally closed to the general public for walk-in interior tours. Visitors are advised to view the surrounding area from public roads or check ahead for official corporate open days or special cultural events before traveling to Yeoju.

Are these Secret Garden locations easy to reach on public transportation?

Yes, spots like Petite France in Gapyeong, White Block in Paju, and Seaes Hotel in Jeju are easily accessible using public express buses and regional trains from Seoul or Jeju Airport. Only Maiim Vision Village in Yeoju requires a short taxi ride from the nearest regional train station.

Do I need to purchase admission tickets to visit Petite France or Heyri Art Village?

Petite France requires an admission ticket at the main entrance gate, which grants access to all exhibitions and live shows inside. Heyri Art Village in Paju has no entrance fee to walk around the grounds, though individual art galleries, museums, and cafes within the village charge their own separate entry or menu fees.

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