Remember those days when K-Dramas always had a budget for an international travel episode, usually the first episode, where the couples would meet, secretly be smitten with each other, and then go back to Korea and, surprise surprise, meet again?
I know, its a trick question, of course you do!
But if you don’t, or if you just need a trip down memory lane, here are 7 Classic K-Dramas, with at least one episode in a foreign locale, that you must check out. Hey, they might just get you in that summer traveling mood!
7 Classic K-Dramas That Will Make You Want to Travel
Teenage Romance K-Drama “The Heirs”
We may as well kick start this list with the hit chaebol K-Drama “The Heirs.” Not only is this show a love-story that had many of the biggest young stars in Korea at the time, it is also a drama that showed how rich it was by traveling basically all over California! They hit up tons of places from L.A. to San Diego before landing back in Korea to finish this drama off. And what a rich ride through Hollywood land it was!
Melo-Romance K-Drama “Lovers in Paris”
As the title says, this drama is all about Paris! It was also a crazy amazing smashing hit back when it aired way, way, waaaay back in 2004. With 56% of Korea tuning in to watch, you could say this drama was one of the biggest shows in K-Drama history (especially at the time). “Lovers In Paris” is a Cinderella story about a wealthy, yet cranky, chaebol and poor, kind girl who fall in love. There are lots of twists in this, so buckle up for a fun ride!
Melo-Romance K-Drama “Lovers in Prague”
New to KOCOWA! “Lovers in Prague” is by the same writer who gave us Lovers in Paris, the former of which was such a smashing success that they had to try their luck again. And guess what, over 31% of Koreans tuned in to watch! “Lovers in Prague” is about a policeman whose girlfriend in Prague tells him not to come find her. So, of course, he goes to Prague to find her. But what he finds is quite shocking!
Fantasy Romance K-Drama “Secret Garden”
If you are a Hyun Bin fan then you must check out the fantasy-romance K-Drama “Secret Garden,” which took Korea by storm when it aired back in 2010 and skyrocketed Hyun Bin to super-duper mega fame. Without giving too much away, “Secret Garden” is a body-swap drama with lots of fun hijinks and amazing chemistry between the two leads. Hyun Bin brought it as the quirky chaebol and Ha Ji Won was amazing as the tomboy stunt double. This drama famously traveled to Jeju where the fantasy part of this drama kicked in. You can even sit on the bench in Jeju where they had their first kiss!
Melo-Romance “Something Happened in Bali”
I don’t even know if I should be recommending this drama because something did happen in Bali and IT IS A TRIP. A literal trip to Bali and a figurative one for what that ending brought us all, haha. As the title “Something in Happened in Bali” says, this drama filmed a lot of its show in Bali, so if you tune in you will get to enjoy that luscious landscape. You will also enjoy the drama that made Ha Ji Won, Zo In Sung, and So Ji Sub household names. So Ji Sub followed this drama up with his first starring role in “I’m Sorry, I Love You” (whish also made our list!) and made him super famous.
Melo-Drama “I’m Sorry, I Love You”
So Ji Sub fans should know the drama that made him famous: “I’m Sorry, I Love You,” which had a large part of its production filmed in Australia! “I’m Sorry, I Love You” is a revenge drama with a love story right at its center. It will also wreck you! So be warned. But if you want to get wrecked and enjoy some early So Ji Sub while your swimming in tears, then this drama is for you!
BONUS: Fantasy Romance K-Drama Black Knight
Probably the youngest of the dramas on this list, which technically does not make it a classic K-Drama, but still, they traveled somewhere gorgeous, so we had to include it! In episodes 1 and 2 “Black Night” traveled to Slovenia (of Dracula fame), which is one beautiful country! Slovenia is a tiny country in Eastern Europe that will give you definite fantasy vibes when you check this drama out. In “Black Night” a woman is cursed for 400 years because she killed two lovers. The lovers are reborn in the current time and find each other again! But will they have a happily ever after this time?
So, KOCONUTS, have you watched any of this classic K-Dramas? Did they make you want to travel? I know they made me want to travel while putting this list together! If you could go to any of the locations mentioned, which one would it be? And as always, you can catch these dramas, and many more, on KOCOWA!
