Most of us oohed and ahhed over the beautiful love story of a handsome captain of the armed forces and a beautiful lady doctor which has made “Descendants of the Sun” is the latest hit Korean drama. And the background for the whole drama was also very dramatic and beautiful….

When Yoo Si Jin and Kang Mo Yeon (played by Song Hye Kyo) have their first encounter, we can already see some fireworks.

And with that, naturally, there are fans who are interested in its filming locations.

Helloo… I am talking about locations ya…. where are your eyes focusing on…..

After all, each filming location has been carefully selected for its own charismatic facet such as historical sites that go with the military camp scenes, gorgeous beach  or pretty artistic locations that gives you the right ambiance…  Let us go on a little discovery trip and explore some of the sites?

The drama was partially filmed in Greece in Zakynthos, Arachova and Lemnos. It is nice to see more natural scenery surrounded by mountains, beautiful beaches and turquoise sea.

The background of imaginary nation ‘Uruk’ was Zakynthos Island.

It is truly a beautiful island with a gorgeous beach and ethnic atmosphere, and this is also the reason many Koreans are taking time to go for a holiday here….

And for those interested to know about the Korean locations…..Here are 4 filming locations of ‘Descendants of the Sun’ in Korea.

Tae Baek Hanbo Exhausted Mine(한보탄광)

The Tae Baek Hanbo Mine was exhausted coal mine turned into the Special Forces headquarters for the drama. News is… Korean Tourism Organization is thinking of  rebuilding this filming site as a theme park for tourists.So close your eyes and imagine.. perhaps a “Decendants of the Sun” world, something like Harry Potter world/ New Zealand’s Hobbiton etc… just kidding, but let’s see….

Address : 140-8, Tong-dong, Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do, Korea

Camp Greaves DMZ Experience Center

‘Uruk’ featured in the Descendants of the Sun is a fictional country. Scenes showing the military headquarter of Captain Yoo Si-jin (played by Song Joong-ki) and the soldiers in the Uruk dispatch troops are filmed at Camp Greaves DMZ Experience Center in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do.

Located just about 2km from the southern boundary line of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the US Armed Forces was stationed here for about 50 years after the Armistice Agreement.

After the withdrawal of US Armed Forces, Camp Greaves turned into a youth hostel with a military experience center, which was opened to the public in 2013. Camp Greaves is a US military base with the oldest cultural heritage where one can get a glimpse of the modern architecture of the United States. In addition, its geographical location at the DMZ makes it an even more preferable travel destination for all tourists. Several activities such as walking along the DMZ cease-fire line and bicycle tour programs are available for visitors to participate in this well-preserved, environmental-friendly DMZ region.

Address: 137, Jeoksipja-ro, Gunnae-meyon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do

Note: No individual sightseeing allowed. Admission is only possible through organized group tours with prior reservations.

Website: dmzcamp131.or.kr (Korean only)

Samtan Art Mine

In the fifth episode of ‘Descendants of the Sun’, the safe house for Ah Goo-seu (played by David McInnis) and his gang was filmed at the Samtan Art Mine . Once a former abandoned mine, it was transformed into a cultural and art complex for public visit.

Samtan Art Mine is composed of an art center, wine cave, restaurant, rail museum, and other auxiliary facilities. In particular, the old mine and shower room from the abandoned mine were mainly used as filming locations so as to minimize any potential change to the original setting of the abandoned mine. The art center that was opened for the artists comprised of amenities including a studio, modern museum, Samtan museum, storage for art works, and more.

This was also the site where they filmed the earthquake….

Follow the path connecting from the first level of the art center and you can find the rail track that was used for transporting coal in the past on exhibition.

Combining a dark and melancholic abandoned mine with arts; the Samtan Art Mine exudes an unusual ambiance that makes it a popular filming location for other Korean variety programs or television series such as ‘Running Man’ and ‘Phantom’.

Address: 1445-44, Hambaeksan-ro, Gohan-eup, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do

How to get there: From Gohan∙Sabuk Bus Terminal, take a bus bound for Sanggallae∙Manhang and get off at Motgol bus stop → Walk for about 450m to Samtan Art Mine. Alternatively, take a taxi from Gohan∙Sabuk Bus Terminal to Samtan Art Mine (estimated distance: about 7.5km).

Operating hours: Summer 09:00-18:00 / Summer Peak Season (Mid July-Mid August) 09:00-19:00 / Winter Weekdays 10:00-17:00, Weekends 09:30-17:30 (Closed on Mondays)

Admission Fee: 13,000 won

Website: samtanartmine.com (Korean only)

dal.komm coffee

Do you remember the cafe where Moyeon tells Si Jin she wants to break up? This cafe is located in Incheon Songdo Central Park.