Penang Bridge, With Love: The Moon that Embraces the Sun

When it talks about this drama series, I am so sure that Kim Soo Hyun would be the 1st in your mind,right? Well, so do I. Our next themed travel is The Moon that Embraces the Sun filming location... Before we starts our tour, let me tells you a short synopsis about this blockbuster Korean drama. Based on the novel of the same title, The Moon That Embraces the Sun (also known as "The Sun and the Moon") reached almost 20% in viewership from its first episode. The acting and the visual appeal of the young actors have stolen the hearts of young female viewers, and the show’s ratings only improve with each new episode.

The Moon That Embraces the Sun is a historical drama depicting the first love of a fictional king, set in the royal court of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). It is a sad but beautiful love story of innocent young people, with the story developing around the conflicts and conspiracy of political powers vying for the throne against the king’s efforts for good politics.

The drama is a quality fusion historical drama enhanced by the strong acting of the main and supporting actors, its visual appeal, and the engaging dialogue that draws from the humor on the Internet.

Heo Yeon-u, the daughter of a high-ranking official, visits the royal court with her mother to see her brother attend a ceremony congratulating his first place in the state examination. By chance, she comes across crown prince Lee Hwon, and the two feel attracted by each other. Yeon-u’s brother, a person of high scholarship with a great personality, is ordered by the king to become the mentor of the crown prince. After learning that his mentor is Yeon-u’s brother, the crown prince uses him as a messenger of love.

Inside the palace, there is a conspiracy to have Yoon Bo-gyeong, the daughter of a family clan that is in opposition to the king, selected as the crown princess. Lee Hwon manages to have Yeon-u selected as the crown princess, but his great-grandmother Yoon asks shaman Nok-yeong to cast a spell on Yeon-u so that she becomes stricken with an unknown sickness. Yeon-u is taken to her home in her last remaining days of life, and passes away. Nok-yeong secretly visits Yeon-u’s father and tells him how to break the spells. Upon being resurrected from her grave, Yeon-u lives her life as a shaman by the name Wol, without any recollection of her past. Meanwhile, after Yeon-u’s believed death, Yoon Bo-gyeong becomes the crown princess and expands her political power in the court. Amid difficult political circumstances, Lee Hwon grows to be a cold and aloof king. As time passes, his yearning for Yeon-u only grows. One day, he sets out on an excursion to a hot spring. Seeing him in the royal procession from afar, Yeon-u (Wol) becomes confused as Hwon comes back vaguely in her memory.

Choichampandaek (Residence of Choi Champan) 1

Choichampandaek (Residence of Choi Champan) 2

So, Let's start with the first location. The residence of Choi Champan is the background of Korea’s noted historical novel Toji (The Land) and a famous filming location. In The Moon That Embraces the Sun, it appears as the house where Yeon-woo spent her childhood. The residence is housed in a hanok building and has on exhibit various items showing the lifestyle and culture of the later part of the Joseon Dynasty. It boasts a splendid natural landscape with an expansive neighboring field and the Seomjingang River. In the spring, the area is bright with cherry flower blossoms along the river, and in the fall, the area turns into the venue for the Toji Literature Festival.

Yongin MBC Dramia 1

Yongin MBC Dramia 2

Yongin MBC Dramia 3

Yongin MBC Dramia 4

Second,Yongin MBC Dramia is the filming set where Korean historical dramas like Jumong, Queen Seondeok, and Dong Yi were filmed. The facility features buildings from the Three Kingdoms era (the era of the Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla Kingdoms, between the 4th and mid-7th century) to the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). In The Moon That Embraces the Sun, royal palace scenes were mostly filmed here. With the popularity of Korean drama series, Yongin MBC Dramia is becoming a major tourist destination for both local and international tourists.

Korean Folk Village 1

Korean Folk Village 2

Korean Folk Village 3

Last but not least, The Korean Folk Village features the lifestyle and private houses of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). It has on exhibit various items from the era, including household tools, farming tools, and crafts. Various events are held by season, such as farmers’ music performances, tightrope dancing, and traditional wedding reenactments. The market inside the village sells various traditional foods like injeolmi (rice cake), bindaetteok (mung bean pancake), pajeon (spring onion pancake), and Korean liquors. In The Sun and the Moon, the local markets, the private residences of the commoners, and the night scenes were filmed here.

Have you enjoying your trip with me? Will be sharing next filming location with you guys tomorrow... Let me give you guys some preview... Check it out the picture below! :)