Seoul Searching | Nami Island.

After visiting Petite France, we boarded the 3:50 pm ride of the Gapyeong Tour Bus using the same tour ticket that we purchased earlier. About thirty minutes later, the bus took a stop at the Nami Ferry Terminal for those who will visit Nami Island, and to pick up passengers for its next destination, the Garden of the Morning Calm.

Nami Immigration (aka Ferry Terminal).

Tickets to Nami Island are purchased at the ferry terminal, otherwise known as the 'Nami Immigration'. Regular rate is 10000 Korean won, but foreigners can avail of the discounted rate at 8000 Korean won. Kids between 3-13 years old have a special rate of 4000 Korean won. Rates include taxes and the round-trip ferry fare.

The ferry.

From the immigration area, we took a short walk to the Gapyeong Wharf and waited for the ferry to arrive. If you're a bit more adventurous, there is another way to get to Nami Island - via Zip Line. We didn't consider this option, though. Haha!

Yue's first ferry ride! :)

After a brief ride on the ferry, here we are, basking in the beauty of Nami Island. :)

Nami, finally!

Lots and lots of pictures after the jump! :)

For the Kdrama Addict | Places to Visit in Korea.

Now that more and more Korean dramas (Kdramas) have achieved international success, Korean film tours are gaining popularity as well. Through these film tours, fans get to see the filming locations of their favorite TV shows, and allow them to relive the scenes in their favorite Kdramas.

If you're visiting Korea and planning to go on a film tour, here are some places that you might want to add to your itinerary.

1. The First Shop of Coffee Prince. (Hongdae, Mapo-gu, Seoul.)
Aired in 2007, The First Shop of Coffee Prince is perhaps one of the most popular Kdramas as far as gender bender plots are concerned. The set of The First Shop of Coffee Prince was an actual cafe in Hongdae that had been remodeled as a set for the drama. Both the exterior and interior of the cafe have been completely overhauled to recreate the scenes in the drama, and was reopened as soon as the drama ended.

The First Shop of Coffee Prince.

2. Bukchon Hanok Village. (Gahoe-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.)
The Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul is the city's last neighborhood with a high concentration of traditional homes, called hanok. I read an article that traditional houses often need a lot of upkeep. Hanoks are no exception being dedicated to preserving traditional Korean architecture. Made of clay, wood, and stone, hanoks are typically single-story structures that have heated floors and curved tile roofs. Popular dramas that have been filmed in Bukchon include Winter Sonata (2002), My Name is Kim Sam Soon (2005), Personal Taste (2010), and Heartstrings (2011).

Bukchon Hanok Village.

3. Petit France. (Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do.)
I first saw this place in the variety show 'Running Man', but it was actually the hit drama 'My Love from the Star' that made this French cultural village even more popular. Located in the province of Gyeonggi-do - about one hour away from Seoul - the village consists of 16 French-style buildings where visitors can lodge, enjoy French food, and experience French culture. Also featured in the village is a memorial hall dedicated to Antoine Saint-Exupery, author of the world-famous French novel Le Petit Prince.

Petit France.

4. Hwajinpo Beach. (Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do.)
The most northern beach in South Korea, Hwajinpo Beach was the site of the last scene in Autumn in My Heart (2000), where the two lovers portrayed by Song Hye Kyo and Song Seung Heon spent their last moments together. This heartbreaking and unforgettable scene invites a trail of visitors with its clean, shallow water, and a majestic view of the mountains and the East Sea.

Hwajinpo Beach.

5. Korean Folk Village. (Yong-in, Gyeonggi-do.)
The mecca of historical drama (think Dae Jang Geum, Jumong, Sungkyunkwan Scandal)  and the epicenter of Korean wave, the Korean Folk Village has over 260 traditional houses reminiscent of the late Joseon dynasty. Visitors get to experience the customs and lifestyle of Korea's past generations, and gain a broad understanding of Korean food, clothing, and home life from the past.

Korean Folk Village.

The list goes on, actually. But for now I'm narrowing them to five. Korea reels with film locations, and you may even chance upon them without even knowing it! When in Korea, keep your eyes peeled for banners and tarpaulins with photos of your favorite stars. Who knows, the restaurant you might be dining in right now was actually a film location. :)