Did you know that Busan is home to the filming locations of the popular Korean drama The King: Eternal Monarch? The drama is about traveling through time between two parallel world to describe the intriguing love story between Emperor Lee Gon of the Kingdom of Korea and detective Jeong Tae-eul of the Republic of Korea, meet accidentally through the door of parallel worlds, and fall in love over time. Now, let’s find out five of the drama’s filming locations in Busan.

Ahopsan Forest

The most commonly featured place throughout the drama is the bamboo forest - Ahopsan Forest as the time slip spot in the drama. It is the place that Emperor Lee Gon accidentally discovers the “door of dimensions”. Ahopsan Forest located in Gijang-gun, Busan where the forest has a long history of 400 years yet also serves as a significant location that explains the drama’s overall plot.
The most remarkable thing about this location is the towering bamboo trees that form a large forest. When you raise your head, you will notice that the bamboo leaves sway in the breeze like ocean waves. Standing in between the stone door among the bamboo trees with the sun sunlight peeking through the trees makes the atmosphere mysterious and beautiful as you like the hero/heroine of the drama that can travel to another world with the gate of time slip.

Address: 37-1, Midong-gil, Cheolma-myeon, Gijang-gun, Busan

Haeundae Gunam-ro

The scene between Emperor Lee Gon and his rival Lee Lim was a highlighted part of the drama, and this scene was filmed at Gunam-ro, the main street of Haeundae.
Haeundae Gunam-ro is the road that connects to Haeundae Beach, usually gathering crowds of people. Both sides of the road are arranged with numerous coffee shops, restaurants, and bars. During the day, you can enjoy the ocean view at a café, and at night with the magnificent night view is presented without reserve.
Besides the view, you can enjoy the magical music fountain as well as busking performances and the flea market regularly. However, because of COVID-19, these are temporarily suspended until further notice.

Gunam-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan

Forty Stairs Street

The third filming location we would like to introduce is the “Forty Stairs Street” at Jungang-dong 4(sa)-ga, Jung-gu, Busan. On this street is the café that served as the meeting place for the captain of the royal guard Jo Yeong, who was as popular as Emperor Lee Gon, and imperial communications officer Myeong Seung-ah.
Today, this famous tourism-themed street is a filming location for many variety shows and music videos. However, Busan’s Forty Stairs Street contained a strong history. It has symbolize the sorrows and yearning for a home experienced by refugees during the Korean War. Various structures and a culture hall provide information on this extreme time in Korean history.

Address: 26-3, Jungang-dong 4(sa)-ga, Jung-gu, Busan

Dadaepo Beach

Many fans screamed with joy as they witnessed the memorable moment of Emperor Lee Gon riding on a white horse on the beach. The beautiful sunset and vast sandy beach are part of Dadaepo Beach. The sunset at Dadaepo is beautiful as it blends into the surrounding ocean. Dadaepo beach might be the only place where you can see a golden ocean. As time goes by, the sky becomes redder and the dark blues ocean in stark contrast, presenting a breathtakingly beautiful view.

Address: 14, Morundae 1-gil, Saha-gu, Busan

Haeundae Cinema Street

The scenes where Lee Gon chases after a rabbit in the first episode also another scene where Jeong Tae-eul walks alone on the streets were filmed on Haeundae Cinema Street.
The street features introductions for famous movies and handprints of celebrities, giving visitors the chance to slowly walk and search for their favorite movie star’s handprints. Besides, you can continue your dream of becoming a movie hero/heroine by going to the photo zone that looks like a film shoot.
The stone wall of the snow-white beach splits the view into two. One side showcases the skyscrapers of Haeundae, while the other side catches your eye with the beautiful view of the blue ocean and Gwangandaegyo Bridge.

Address: 91, Marine city 1-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan