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Filming Locations of “Secret Royal Inspector & Joy”
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02/11/2022
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The Korean TV series “Secret Royal Inspector & Joy” combines authentic period drama with a modern sensibility. Set in the Joseon period, it tells the story of the investigations conducted by a highly competent royal inspector named Ra Ian (Ok Taec-yeon), who is more interested in food than work, and a divorced woman. Enjoy traveling back in time to discover traditional Korean dishes with state official Ra Ian. In particular, as the series has been filmed amid the beautiful natural environment of Korea, here are some of its best filming locations.
〈Recommended Routes for “Secret Royal Inspector & Joy” Filming Locations〉
Day 1: (Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do) Mungyeongsaejae Provincial Park - Gomosanseong Fortress - Bongcheonsa Temple
Day 2: (Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do) Chujeong-ri Buckwheat Field
Day 3: (Namwon, Jeollabuk-do) Gwanghalluwon Garden
Day 4: (Gyeongsangnam-do) Jinju Cheonggoksa Temple
Day 5: (Suncheon, Jeollanam-do) Naganeupseong Folk VillageNaganeupseong Folk Village (Gaehwagol) in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do
The Gaehwagol Local Government Office, which served as the central shooting location of episodes 1 & 2 of the series, is located in the Naganeupseong Folk Village in Suncheon. As one of Korea’s three major walled towns, the village has preserved its traditional appearance, including thatched houses inhabited by commoners during the Joseon period, so it is often used as a filming location of various TV series and films. When you visit it, you will find the local government office where Ra Ian appears, saying, “Here comes the royal inspector!” for the first time in the series, and learn about the kinds of criminal punishments used during the Joseon period. The village also offers a variety of interesting traditional programs including a traditional wedding ceremony event, a farming experience, a washing place experience, a traditional musical instrument experience, and bean curd making and hanji (traditional Korean paper) making experiences.
- Naganeupseong Folk Village
- Address: 6-4, Pyeongchon-ri, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do (전남 순천시 낙안면 평촌리 6-4)
- Operating hours: May–September 08:30–18:30 / November–January 09:00–17:30 / February–April, October 09:00–18:00
* Open all year round - Admission: Adults 4,000 won / Teenagers 2,500 won / Children 1,500 won
* In the event there is filming, on-site ticket purchases will be discounted
* Integrated ticket for Suncheon’s tourist attractions are accepted - Website: www.suncheon.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese)
- Directions
- From Jeolla Line Suncheon Station, take Bus No. 63 (Jeil High School, Dolmen Park) and pass 42 stops → Get off at March First Independence Movement Memorial Park at Naganeupseong Walled Town → Walk approx. 2 min
- From Suncheon Bus Terminal, take Bus No. 63 (Jeil High School, Dolmen Park) and pass 39 stops → Get off at March First Independence Movement Memorial Park at Naganeupseong Walled Town → Walk approx. 2 min
Mungyeongsaejae Provincial Park (Gaehwagol and Forest Trail) in Gyeongsangbuk-do
The scenes set in Gaehwagol, where Ra Ian and Kim Joy meet for the first time, and the series poster, were shot at the open set of Mungyeongsaejae Provincial Park in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. A regular filming location of popular historical dramas, this open set consists of various traditional buildings including reproductions of Gwanghwamun Gate and Gyeongbokgung Palace, tiled-roof houses of the nobility, thatched houses of commoners, and a market street. Furthermore, as Mungyeongsaejae Provincial Park is linked with the Juholsan Mountain hiking trail, you can enjoy hiking and appreciate the forest trail and landscape just as they appear in the series.
- Mungyeongsaejae Provincial Park / Mungyeongsaejae Open Set
- Addresses
Provincial Park: 932, Saejae-ro, Mungyeong-eup, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경북 문경시 문경읍 새재로 932)
Open Set: 84-2, Sangcho-ri, Mungyeong-eup, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (세트장은 경북 문경시 문경읍 상초리 84-2) - Operating hours: March–October 09:30–17:30 / November–February 10:00–17:00
* Trail is open 24 hr - Admission
Provincial Park: Free
Open Set: 2,000 won - Website: www.gbmg.go.kr (Korean only)
- Directions: From Mungyeong Bus Terminal, take Bus No. 21 (Nambu, Maseong, Mungyeong) and pass 3 stops → Get off at Hacho → Walk approx. 4 min
Gomosanseong Fortress in Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do
The series was also filmed in various locations in Mungyeong, including the Gaeun Open Set, Gomosanseong Fortress, and Bongsaengjeong Pavilion, as well as at Mungyeongsaejae Provincial Park and Bongcheonsa Temple. Notably, Gomosanseong Fortress, whose 1.6 km-long fortified wall was built during the Three Kingdoms Period, is known for its tranquil atmosphere and harmony with the magnificent autumnal scenery of Gomosan Mountain. You can also appreciate the panoramic view of the Jinnamgyo Bridge area, which forms one of the Eight Sights of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. Furthermore, the area is the ideal destination for day trips as it is home to a variety of exciting attractions such as the Omija Theme Tunnel, the Ancient Tombs of Sinhyeon-ri, a rail bike, and an ATV mountain bike experience facility. As nighttime lighting and a photo zone have recently been set up at the fortress, it is quickly becoming popular for nightscape photography among social media users.
- Gomosanseong Fortress
- Address: Sinhyeon-ri, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경북 문경시 마성면 신현리)
- Directions: From Mungyeong Bus Terminal, take Bus No. 20-1 (Maseong, Nambu) and pass 11 stops → Get off at Sinhyeon → Walk approx. 27 min
Cheonggoksa Temple in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do
Kim Joy, a divorced woman looking for freedom, spends a night in a grass thicket at Seonghwangdang Shrine. This dreamlike, moonlit scene created by a mysterious fog emanating from the nearby reservoir was filmed at Cheonggoksa Temple in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do. Built during the Silla period, the temple is home to a number of valuable Buddhist cultural heritages that have been designated as national treasures or treasures. Along with the walking path next to the reservoir where the drama was filmed, Worasan Mountain where the temple is located is also a famous tourist attraction because of its beautiful spring flowers and the vivid hues of its autumnal foliage.
- Cheonggoksa Temple
- Address: 138, Worasan-ro 1440beon-gil, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 진주시 금산면 월아산로1440번길 138)
- Website: www.chunggoksa.or.kr (Korean only)
- Directions
- From Jinju Intercity Bus Terminal, take Bus No. 261 heading to Geumsan (Soksa) and pass 29 stops → Get off at Singi / Cheonggoksa Temple entrance → Walk approx. 22 min
- From Gyeongjeon Line Jinju Station, take Bus No. 200 heading to Geumsan (Soksa) and pass 15 stops → Transfer to Bus No. 261 heading to Jinyangho Lake at Geumsan Nonghyup Galjeon Branch and pass 3 stops → Get off at Singi / Cheonggoksa Temple entrance → Walk approx. 22 min
Bongcheonsa Temple in Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do
The popular romantic scene with Ra Ian and Joy in a field of purple flowers was filmed at Bongcheonsa Temple in Mungyeong. Every autumn, purple asters decorate the hill behind the temple’s parking lot. The hill is a famous photo spot among photographers because it is located at the foot of a mountain overlooking downtown Mungyeong, and the sun rises between two pine trees. In addition, the beautiful scene of aster flowers went viral on social media, and it has now become a popular tourist attraction among young people. Although it is difficult to get to Bongcheonsa Temple by public transport, it is certainly worth a visit for the picturesque scenery and healing experience.
- Bongcheonsa Temple
- Address: 201, Bongseo 2-gil, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경북 문경시 호계면 봉서2길 201)
- Directions
- From Mungyeong Bus Terminal, take Bus No. 20-1 (Mungyeong, Maseong, Nambu) and pass 15 stops → Get off at Gyeontan bus stop and transfer to Bus No. 91-1 (Makgok) at Mungyeong Office of Education and pass 11 stops → Get off at Bangok → Walk approx. 54 min
- From Gyeongbuk Line Jeomchon Station, take Bus Yonggung-Jeomchon (heading to Jeomchon) at Nonghyup City Branch Stop and pass 5 stops → Get off at Yeongganggyo Bridge → Walk approx. 1 hr
Chujeong-ri Buckwheat Field in Cheongju
The Chujeong-ri Buckwheat Field (40,000 ㎡) is known for its beautiful expanse of snowflake-like buckwheat flowers, which look particularly dazzling under a blue sky. You can take fabulous photos from every angle like many other social media influencers. In particular, the moonlit view of buckwheat flowers can be appreciated best from just before sunset till late at night. For reference, the peak season of buckwheat flowers is approximately between September 15 and October 10.
- Chujeong-ri Buckwheat Field
- Address: 339, Chujeong-ri, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do (충북 청주시 상당구 낭성면 추정리 339번지)
- Directions
- From Cheongju Intercity Bus Terminal, take Bus No. 832 and pass 13 stops → Transfer to Bus No. 211 at Iron Flagpole at Yongdusa Temple Site and pass 34 stops → Get off at Chujeong 1-ri → Walk approx. 12 min
- From Chungbuk Line Cheongju Station, take Bus No. 711 and pass 20 stops → Transfer to Bus No. 211 at Sangdang Park and pass 35 stops → Get off at Chujeong 1-ri → Walk approx. 12 min
Gwanghalluwon Garden in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do
Namwon, where Gwanghalluwon Garden is located, is well known as the background of “Chunghyangjeon,” or the Story of Chunhyang, which is based on the pansori called Chunyangga of the Joseon period. In the story, Chunghyang’s lover, Yi Mongryong, becomes a royal inspector and returns to Namwon. Gwanghalluwon Garden, which is where the love story between Chunhyang and Mongryong begins, also appears in the series “Secret Royal Inspector & Joy.” The garden was created during the Joseon period in the country’s typical traditional landscaping style. As it is downtown Namwon’s major nightscape attraction, you can easily visit it by foot from nearby accommodations and appreciate its beautiful nighttime vista.
- Gwanghalluwon Garden
- Address: 1447, Yocheon-ro, Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do (전라북도 남원시 요천로 1447)
- Operating hours: April–October 08:00–21:00 / November–March 08:00–20:00
* Open all year round - Admission: Adults 3,000 won / Teenagers 2,000 won / Children 1,500 won
- Directions:
- From Jeolla Line Namwon Station, take Bus No. 5-133 and pass 7 stops → Get off at Standard Chartered Bank → Walk approx. 4 min
- From Namwon Intercity Bus Terminal in front of Namwon Bus Terminal, take Bus No. 2-241 and pass 3 stops → Get off at Standard Chartered Bank (Nammun-ro 4-ga) → Walk approx. 4 min
Would you like to view the same filming locations from the Korean drama “Secret Royal Inspector & Joy?”
“Secret Royal Inspector & Joy” is a Korean period drama that was filmed in many natural locations, most notably Mungyeongsaejae Pass, Cheonggoksa Temple, Bongcheonsa Temple, and the Chujeong-ri Buckwheat Field. However, you can only enjoy the landscapes from the drama at a specific time of year. So, if you want to see the Chujeong-ri Buckwheat Field during the same season as the drama, why not try a VR tour of the filming locations of “Secret Royal Inspector & Joym,” designed by the Korea Tourism Organization together with its main character, Ra Ian (actor Ok Taec-yeon)?
