K-Pop Destinations: Stroll Through Nami Island, The Serene Backdrop For 'Winter Sonata'

Welcome to 'K-pop Destinations,' the series that helps readers travel across the world. We'll show you where hit shows and videos are filmed, where top performers are giving concerts, or where your favorite stars take their vacations. That way, the next time you take a vacation, you can make sure to incorporate a little K-pop travel into your getaway.

K-drama fans will recognize this week's destination, if not by name, at least by sight. Namiseom, or Nami Island, a half-moon shaped island located in the Bukhangang River off the town of Gapyeong, in Korea, has been long one of country's most popular day trips away from Seoul. That's thanks in part to its historical significance, its contributions to Korea's arts and culture scene, its peaceful air and harmonious relationship to nature, but it's mainly because it's the backdrop to one of Korea's most famous and globally successful K-dramas - Winter Sonata.

Visitors can re-enact some of the most memorable moments from the series, including rent bikes and ride down the serene, tree-lined bike lane that Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo took or pretend to build mini snowmen atop a picnic table while stealing a first kiss.

Drama fans can also view memorabilia and photographs from shooting as well as a bronze statue of the drama's leads. Don't be worried about finding the exact location of your favorite scenes. There are several markers throughout the island indicating where filming occurred.

Nami Island is easy to reach by either ferry or bus from Seoul.

The bus departs every morning from the popular Insadong neighborhood of Seoul and takes about an hour and a half each way. You'll want to book your bus tickets ahead of time, which you can do at namisum.com.

You can also take the Seoul subway system to get to Sambong Station, where you'll transfer to a train headed to Gapyeong. Once in Gapyeong, you'll have to take a short taxi ride to the ferry port. There, you'll buy a ferry ticket and hop on a short ferry ride over to the island.

It's an easy trip from Seoul that you could make during the day and still be back in the city for a delicious Korean dinner. Korea's capital and biggest city is clean and efficient (surprisingly so for its size) but it is a fast-paced, bustling city. Even if you're not familiar with 'Winter Sonata' or any of the other dramas filmed on the island, it's worth the day trip to Nami Island for some relief from the neon and noise of Seoul.

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k-pop destinations
k-pop destinations
K-dramas
korean dramas
dramas
winter sonata
Nami Island
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Korean drama
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