Yongin Daejanggeum Park: Walking Joseon K-Drama Sets

Standing in front of the soaring red pillars of Injeongjeon Hall on a crisp morning, you can almost hear the faint echo of royal drums and the swish of court robes. Nestled in the rolling hills of Yongin, just south of Seoul, sits Yongin Daejanggeum Park—the sprawling outdoor set constructed by major South Korean broadcaster MBC. Spanning over 2.5 million square meters, this meticulously designed facility serves as the background for Korea’s most famous historical dramas (known as sageuk). Whether you fell in love with period dramas through classic royal romances like The Moon Embracing the Sun, comedy hits like Mr. Queen, or epic sagas like Empress Ki and Queen Seondeok, stepping onto these grounds feels less like walking through a movie set and more like slipping through a portal directly into Joseon and Goryeo history.

International visitors often head straight to royal palaces in central Seoul, but true drama lovers know that Yongin offers something those historic sites cannot: complete immersion in cinematic scale. Because these sets were constructed specifically for filming wide landscape shots and action sequences, every courtyard, thatched-roof hut, and grand staircase is arranged for maximum visual impact. This practical yongin daejanggeum park guide will help you navigate the massive grounds, highlight key filming spots you shouldn’t miss, and give you local transit tips to get there smoothly.

Injeongjeon Hall (The Main Palace Throne Set)

Injeongjeon Hall serves as the majestic center of the park’s Joseon palace grounds. In classic period series like The Moon Embracing the Sun, this grand courtyard is where court officials line up according to rank while the king addresses his ministers. It is also the exact location featured in BTS member Suga’s (Agust D) worldwide hit music video Daechwita, where he performs his rap amidst traditional architectural stone lanterns and expansive stone courtyards. In Mr. Queen, this set provides the backdrop for grand royal assemblies and tense political standoffs.

In reality, this location is an engineered outdoor architectural set modeled after the actual throne hall at Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul, built to a scale that accommodates massive camera cranes and dozens of background actors. The elevated stone platform (termed woldae) gives visitors an commanding view over the entire palace courtyard and down the central walkway, flanked by stone markers that traditionally designated official rank.

How to get there

To reach Injeongjeon inside the park, enter through the main entrance gate and follow the primary central uphill walkway past the visitor center. The path leads straight into the main palace courtyard complex; Injeongjeon stands prominently as the largest structure along the central axis, roughly a 7-minute walk from the ticket office.

Jeonokseo (Joseon Era Prison Set)

Jeonokseo represents the Joseon Dynasty’s royal prison system, famously serving as the primary setting for the hit drama The Flower in Prison. Here, the main protagonist grows up within the curved wooden walls, interacting with prisoners from all walks of life. The unique circular structure also appears in scenes from 100 Days My Prince and The Tale of Nokdu, whenever main characters find themselves unjustly locked away in dark cellblocks before dramatic escapes.

Historically, real Joseon prisons were primitive wooden cell blocks, but this set was uniquely constructed as a open-roof circular wooden enclosure to allow natural lighting and unique 360-degree camera panning. The structure features thick wooden bars, iron-ringed doors, and central courtyard guard towers where actors film tension-filled interrogation scenes.

How to get there

After exploring the main palace center, take the paved road heading east toward the middle section of the park grounds. Jeonokseo is located slightly up the hill, nestled between the commoner market sets and the upper pavilion complexes. Follow the clearly labeled English directional signage along the main walking loop.

The Traditional Market Street (Sijeang Set)

This bustling rustic market street appears in almost every traditional drama shot at the park, including Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung, The King’s Affection, and Scholar Who Walks the Night. In these shows, this is where disguised royals wander among common citizens, street vendors hawk traditional candies, and martial artists engage in fast-paced alleyway chases through stacks of wooden crates and woven baskets.

The set consists of dozens of thatched-roof cottages (choga-jip), timber taverns, and open-air wooden stalls surrounded by low dirt walls. Unlike temporary film sets made of foam, these buildings were constructed using authentic Korean pine wood, stone, and clay, giving them an authentic weathered appearance that has matured beautifully across decades of continuous filming.

How to get there

The Market Street is situated on the lower level of the park complex, just south of the palace courtyard. If you walk down the stone steps from the Injeongjeon entrance, you will immediately enter the winding dirt alleys of the traditional market sector.

Muryangsujeon (Goryeo Style Temple Set)

Located on one of the highest points of the property, Muryangsujeon is modeled after ancient wooden temple architecture from the Goryeo Dynasty. It was heavily featured in the legendary drama Queen Seondeok, as well as high-fantasy action series like Gu Family Book. In these stories, the elevated wooden pavilion serves as a secluded sanctuary, a training ground for elite warriors, or a romantic vantage point overlooking distant mountains.

This structure stands out from the rest of the Joseon-era sets due to its distinct, unpainted natural timber beams and sweeping tiled roofline based on Buseoksa Temple. Standing on the wooden deck of Muryangsujeon grants visitors a breathtaking view over the entire valley of film sets framed by the forested hills of Yongin.

How to get there

Follow the upper trail leading north from the palace sets. The walk involves a moderate uphill climb along paved paths and stone steps. Plan for approximately 10 to 15 minutes of uphill walking from the central palace area to reach this summit location.

Getting to Yongin Daejanggeum Park from Seoul

While Yongin Daejanggeum Park is situated outside Seoul’s core metro area, public transit is straightforward if planned ahead. The easiest transit route involves a combination of express intercity bus and local bus or taxi:

1. Take Seoul Subway Line 3 to Nambu Bus Terminal Station (Exit 5).
2. From the Nambu Bus Terminal, buy a ticket and board the intercity express bus bound for Baekam Bus Terminal (Baekam-myeon). The bus ride takes approximately 50 minutes depending on traffic.
3. Once you arrive at Baekam Terminal, you can take local bus 105 directly to the park entrance (takes about 20 minutes). Buses run on specific schedules, so if the local bus is not immediately available, take a local taxi from the Baekam station rank. The taxi ride takes under 15 minutes.

Always verify current transit schedules and park operating hours prior to setting out, as local bus timetables can shift seasonally.

Make a Day of It

Yongin Daejanggeum Park is expansive, and you will easily spend 3 to 4 hours walking the sets. To turn your journey into a full day trip, plan a local meal stop nearby before heading back to Seoul.

The surrounding Baekam region is famous across South Korea for its signature regional dish: Baekam Sundae (traditional Korean blood sausage soup). Unlike standard street-style sundae found in Seoul, Baekam-style sundae is packed with fresh vegetables, pork, and rice noodles inside a rich, pork-bone broth. Small local eateries near Baekam Bus Terminal serve steaming bowls of sundae-gukbap that make a comforting lunch after a long morning of outdoor walking.

If you wish to continue exploring nearby cultural sites, combine your trip with a visit to the Korean Folk Village in western Yongin, or head to the quiet hills of Wawoojeongsa Temple, famous for its massive reclining wooden Buddha statue and peaceful stone pagoda grounds.

Photo Tips for Drama Fans

Getting iconic photos without other visitors in your shot requires a little timing and planning:

• Golden Hour at Injeongjeon: Arrive early in the morning when the park opens or stay until late afternoon. The low sun hits the red pillars of the main throne hall at a warm angle, creating dramatic lighting similar to broad daylight drama scenes.
• The Low-Angle Palace Shot: Crouch low near the central stone pathways of Injeongjeon Hall, shooting upwards toward the main pavilion. This framing captures the grand tiled roofs while cutting out extra tourists walking in the background.
• Hanbok Rentals: Wearing traditional Korean clothing enhances photos dramatically against the wooden set walls. You can rent hanbok near the park entrance, or bring your own rental from Seoul. The dark wooden textures of the Jeonokseo prison set and market stalls contrast beautifully with vibrant silk hanbok fabrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I spend at Yongin Daejanggeum Park?

Plan to spend between 3 and 4 hours exploring the grounds. The park covers a large hilly area with numerous individual set zones, so wearing comfortable walking shoes is strongly recommended.

Can I rent a traditional Hanbok directly at the park?

Yes, the park typically operates a smaller hanbok rental shop and costume experience area near the main entrance office. However, options can be limited compared to large rental shops in Seoul, so serious photography enthusiasts sometimes choose to rent garments in Seoul for the day.

Are these active filming sets, and can visitors still enter during filming?

Yes, Yongin Daejanggeum Park is a fully working production studio. While the park generally remains open to visitors year-round, specific set sections (such as a street corner or throne hall) may be temporarily cordoned off by production crews if active filming is taking place during your visit.

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