When planning a trip to South Korea, one of the spots that immediately come to mind is Jeju Island. The volcanic archipelago is miles away from the hustle and bustle of Seoul, making it a prime destination for anyone seeking a more laidback vacation. Some of our most beloved K-Drama characters, like Ji-yeong in Squid Game (Lee Yoo Mi) and Hee-do in Twenty-Five Twenty-One (Kim Tae Ri), have expressed their own desires to visit the province.
Here's some good news: Jeju is open to Filipino tourists, visa-free! While booking those flights, why not tune into some dramas that can already give you a glimpse of what it looks like? They'll surely get you all the more excited for your trip!
WATCH: 15 K-Dramas Set or Filmed on Jeju Island:
1. Our Blues (2022)
Watch on: Netflix
Bringing with her a troubled past, Min Seon-ah (Shin Min Ah) escapes to Jeju Island with her only child. She runs into Lee Dong-seok (Lee Byung Hun), a merchant who's lived in the province for all of his life. While at first apprehensive, the two start to peel away at each other's layers, eventually finding solace in one another.
Also starring: Lee Jung Eun, Han Ji Min, Kim Woo Bin
ALSO READ: The Cast of "Our Blues" and Where You've Seen Them Before
2. Something in the Rain (2018)
Watch on: Netflix
Yoon Jin-ah (Son Ye Jin) used to just see Seo Joon-hee (Jung Hae In) as her best friend's younger brother. However, when she starts to brew some unexpected feelings for him, she gets wary about how onlookers might perceive their "unusual" age gap. Towards the end of the series, Jin-ah gets fed up with her toxic work environment, and moves to Jeju Island to open a restaurant.
Also starring: Jang So Yeon, Lee Joo Young, Wi Ha Joon
3. Warm and Cozy (2015)
Watch on: Netflix, Viki
Lee Jung-jo (Kang So Ra) hits rock bottom after she loses her job, boyfriend, and apartment in one fell swoop. Utterly distressed, she heads to Jeju Island to take her mind off of things. She dines at the "Warm and Cozy" restaurant, helmed by the lazy but skilled charmer Baek Gun-woo (Yoo Yeon Seok). The two are polar opposites, but their time on the island leads them to some romantic possibilities.
Also starring: Jinyoung, Kim Sung Oh, Lee Sung Jae
4. Jewel in The Palace (2003)
Watch on: Viki
Back in the Joseon era of South Korea, Seo Jang-geum (Lee Young Ae) overcomes a patriarchal system and moves up the ranks as a royal physician (it's based on a true story, BTW!) Lady Han (Yang Mi Kyung) watches over Jang-geum, and ends up being sent to Jeju Island as government slaves with her.
Also starring: Ji Jin Hee, Hong Ri Na, Kyeon Mi Ri
5. Boys Over Flowers (2009)
Watch on: Netflix, Viki, Viu, WeTV
Geum Jan-di (Ku Hye Sun) is an optimistic and driven lass who grew up in a less fortunate family. She fights her way into the prestigious Shinhwa High School, where she bumps heads with the F4, a gang of rich kids led by Gu Jun-pyo (Lee Min Ho). Not one bit fazed by them, she surprisingly finds herself falling for some of the members. Later on, a picturesque wedding on Jeju Island almost occurs.
Also starring: Kim Hyun Joong, Kim Bum, Kim Joon, Kim So Eun
ALSO READ: Did You Know? Ku Hye Sun Says She's Still Living Off Her Savings from "Boys Over Flowers"
6. Legend of the Blue Sea (2016-2017)
Watch on: Netflix, Viki, Viu, WeTV
Sometime in the 1500s, governor Dam Ryung (Lee Min Ho) sets free a captured mermaid named Shim Cheong (Jun Ji Hyun). In the present day, Dam Ryung seems to have reincarnated into Joon-jae, a smooth-talking con-man. While at a resort, he discovers a washed up Shim Cheong, whom he seems to recognize from centuries ago.
Also starring: Lee Hee Joon, Shin Hye Sun, Shin Won Ho
7. Welcome to Samdal-ri (2024)
Watch on: Netflix
After her career as a fashion photographer crumbles, Jo Sam-dal (Shin Hye Sun) retreats to her quiet hometown of Samdal-ri on Jeju Island. There, she reconnects with Jo Yong-pil (Ji Chang Wook), a childhood friend of hers who now works as a weather forecaster. Their reunion proves to be an avenue for romance to blossom.
Also starring: Kim Mi Kyung, Seo Hyun Chul, Yu Oh Seong
8. One Sunny Day (2014)
Watch on: Line TV
Visiting Jeju for work matters, a heartbroken Kim Ji-ho (So Ji Sub) runs into the sweet unnamed girl (Kim Ji Won). Both of them get robbed and are forced to share a guest house in the meantime. The two find solace in one another.
Also starring: Lee Jong Hyuk, Lee Jong Hyun, Mimi
9. Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)
Watch on: Netflix
In the face of doubters, Woo Young-woo (Park Eun Bin) proves herself to be one of the most intelligent attorneys to ever be part of the Hanbada Law Firm. One of the cases she and her team get assigned is a complicated traffic debacle on Jeju Island.
Also starring: Kang Tae Oh, Ha Yoon Kyung, Joo Jong Hyuk
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10. Island (2022)
Watch on: Prime Video
A sinister spirit shrouds Jeju Island, threatening to spread beyond the archipelago. Priest Johan (Cha Eun Woo) is tasked to arrest the evil before it continues to take lives.
Also starring: Lee Da Hee, Kim Nam Gil
11. When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025)
Watch on: Netflix
Set on Jeju Island in the 1950s, free-spirited Ae-sun (IU) dreams of becoming a poet, but is hindered by her financially challenged background. By her side through it all is Gwan-sik (Park Bo Gum), a silent and timid character who harbors affection for her.
Also starring: Kim Seon Ho, Kim Yong Rim, Yeom Hye Ran
12. My Lovely Sam Soon (2005)
Watch on: iFlix, WeTV
A talented baker who loses her job and is dumped on Christmas Eve, Kim Sam-soon (Kim Sun Ah) finds herself in a state of utter despair. Hyun Jin-heon (Hyun Bin) witnesses her breakdown and decides to offer her a job at his top-ranking French restuarant Bon Appetit. The two eventually warm up to one another, even climbing Mt. Hallasan on Jeju Island together during an excursion.
Also starring: Jung Ryeo Won, Daniel Henney
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