8 K-Drama Homes With The Best Curb Appeal
These will inspire for your home's summer exterior makeovers
We've been wowed time and again by the homes featured in K-Dramas. As stand alone homes, they are design worthy, but as supporting elements to carry a story, these homes are very particular. In some dramas the protagonist's house must emphasize the characters' richness, their good taste, the connection with the occident tradition and with the local tradition. For example, Kim Tan's (Lee Min-ho) homes in Heirs (2013) in Seoul and Los Angeles have to communicate the class difference between the two protagonists, so architecture plays a central role in the drama and much like a client's wish list that is communicated when engaging a designer, this home was chosen according to a precise criteria.
In reality, these buildings may not even be homes. In most cases, they are hotels, golf clubs, or even luxurious restaurants. These are chosen to emphasize the status of the protagonist or his eccentricity. More often than not, the interiors are shot in sets that are located in special sound stages. Nevertheless, a look at K-Drama homes with the most curb appeal is an exercise in design inspiration:
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Photo Gallery
The Hill House
Address: Gangnam-ro, Gangha-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
The Hill House
Founded in 1990, The Hill House is a luxury hotel located right at the Namhan River in the village of Jeonsu-ri in Yangpyeong County's Gangha Township. It consists of two hotels, 5 restaurants and a wedding garden. This luxurious hotel was used for the drama The Heirs (2013) starring Lee Min-ho (Kim Tan) and Park Shin-hye (Cha Eun-sang). In fact, it is Kim Tan's home in Seoul, he lives there with his parents and servants including Cha Eun-sang's mother. The house emphasizes the luxury and richness of this powerful family, but above all the attention to the American architectural style.
Photo Credit: Still from The Heirs (2013)
The Hill House
Many scenes were shot outside on a beautiful garden in front of the house including the scene in which Kim Tan reveals himself to the protagonist.
Photo Credit: Still from The Heirs (2013)
The Hill House
The garden is the same use for some scenes from the drama What's wrong with Secretary Kim? (2018) as the parents' home of CEO Lee Young-joon (Park Seo Joon).
Photo Credit: Still from The Heirs (2013)
The Hill House
Photo Credit: Still from The Heirs (2013)
The Hill House
Photo Credit: Still from The Heirs (2013)
Private Mansion
Malibu, USA Among the most beautiful houses that have been used as sets for dramas located abroad, we can mention Kim Tan's (Lee Min-Ho) villa in Los Angeles, California. This modern villa is actually located in Malibu, America and is a private residence with 7 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms. It was built in 1991 and it is characterized by a large window that illuminates the living area and overlooks the swimming pool from which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sea.
Photo Credit: Still from The Heirs (2013)
Private Mansion
In this villa were filmed the first episodes of the drama The Heirs (2013) that tells the story of a group of rich and privileged students which will take the place of their parents to carry on the family affairs.
Photo Credit: Still from The Heirs (2013)
Private Mansion
This drama tells the story of Kim Tan (Lee Min ho), rich heir to the Jeguk Group exiled to the United States by his brother Kim Won (Choi Jin hyuk), who is ready to do everything to take control of the family business. This villa also appeared in the episodes of the American drama Brothers & Sisters (ABC, 2011) and Revenge (2011-2015).
Photo Credit: Still from The Heirs (2013)
House of Unbo
Hyeongdong, Cheongwon County’s, South Korea Unbo's house is a cultural center dedicated to Unbo artist Kim Gi-chang, founded in 1976 and completed in 1984 by the artist's wife. The center is a cultural space that combines art, nature and tradition. Unbo Kim Gi-chang Huaback has contributed to the development of Korean artistic culture throughout his life, through the museum and scholarship project.
Photo Credit: Still from Mr. Sunshine (2018)
House of Unbo
The museum is aimed by collecting academic research and by exhibit high-quality works. It is also connected to some art Universities such as the Seoul Arts Center, Chungbuk University, and Cheongju University in Cheongju city.
Photo Credit: Still from Mr. Sunshine (2018)
House of Unbo
In the beautiful garden of this house museum, some scenes for Mr Sunshine (2018) were filmed. This drama starring Lee Byung-hun (Eugene Choi) and Kim Tae-ri (Go Ae-shin), is set in a delicate historical period for Koreans linked to Japanese colonialism and the formation of Korean resistance groups. Through the drama, we can perceive the beauty and the accuracy of this traditional hanok thanks to the richly decorated wooden windows.
Photo Credit: Still from Mr. Sunshine (2018)
Southcape Clubhouse
Jindong-ri, Namhae Island, South Korea South Club House is a golf club resort, spa, restaurant and suite, designed in 2013 by Korean architecture firm Mass Studies, which problably found inspiration for that work by some points of Le Corbusier's new architecture (pilotis and ribbon windows).
Photo Credit: Still from Cinderella and Four Knights (2016)
Southcape Clubhouse
The plan of this x-complex with a longer arm, allows you to see the rocky hill to the east and the view to the west towards the promontory.
Photo Credit: Still from Cinderella and Four Knights (2016)
Southcape Clubhouse
The clean lines of the structure are a contrast to the nature and landscape that surrounds it. The private spa facilities, the public restaurant, private restaurants and event facilities are located in the west.
Photo Credit: Still from Cinderella and Four Knights (2016)
Southcape Clubhouse
This complex were the location for the exteriors of the drama villa Cinderella and Four Knights (2016), this drama starring Park So-dam (Run Ha-won), tells the story of a modern Cinderella that changes her fate, thanks to the meeting with four young heiress played by: Ahn Jae-hyun (Kang Hyun-min) Jung Il-woo (Hang Ji-woon), Lee Jung-shin (Hang Seo-woo), Choi Min (Lee Yoo-sung).
Photo Credit: Still from Cinderella and Four Knights (2016)
Southcape Clubhouse
Photo Credit: Still from Cinderella and Four Knights (2016)
Sanmotoonge Cafe
Sanmotoonge is a bar with an eccentric style, famous for its brews and for the view that you can enjoy from the terrace. It is a cafe that owes its fame to the drama Coffee Prince (2007) with Yoon Eun-hye as Go Eun-chan, Gong Yoo as Choi Han-kyul and Lee Sun-kyun as Choi Han-sung.
Photo Credit: Still from The First Shop of Coffee Prince (2007)
Sanmotoonge Cafe
This drama tells the story of the young aspiring barista, Go Eun-chan, who for her masculine ways will be always mistaken for a boy. Her life changes when she met the heir of a company coffe Choi Han-kyul, destiny will make the rest.
Photo Credit: Still from The First Shop of Coffee Prince (2007)
Sanmotoonge Cafe
The home of Choi Han-kyul's cousin is truly singular. Its exterior has a raw stone finish, a balcony closed by windows with stained glass, that Choi Han-sung use as recording room.
Photo Credit: Still from The First Shop of Coffee Prince (2007)
Sanmotoonge Cafe
Choi Han-Sung's recording studio/office is now an area with an open plan where you can sip your cup of coffee while taking in the beautiful view.
Photo Credit: @graciewho
Sanmotoonge Cafe
The most important feature that makes this house unique is the terrace from which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the valley.
Photo Credit: Still from The First Shop of Coffee Prince (2007)
Sanmotoonge Cafe
In the garden there are special sculptures that recall tradition and the belief that these play a protective role for the home.
Photo Credit: @ankita08
Sanmotoonge Cafe
This place was revisited by television in the special documentary dedicated to the 13th anniversary of the drama Coffe Prince recorded in the 2020.
Photo Credit: Still from The First Shop of Coffee Prince Documentary (2020)
Sanmotoonge Cafe
A scene from the drama Do do sol sol la sol la sol (2020) with Go Ara and Lee Jae-wook was also filmed on this terrace and in this case, the location served its original bar function.
Photo Credit: Scene from Do do sol sol la sol la sol (2020)
Damyang Reina (Dynasty) Country Club
Hakdong, South Korea Damyang Reina Country Club is a popular 18-hole golf sports center, opened in 2008. The country club was designed by the Ryugaram Architects, Andrea Biesego, on a style ispired by the European architecture.
Photo Credit: Still from Boys Over Flowers (KBS2, 2009)
Damyang Reina (Dynasty) Country Club
This house appears in two famous dramas hosted by two of the public’s most beloved actors: Son Ye-jin and Lee Min -ho. This complex appears in the drama Boys over flower (2010): the home of Gu Jun-pyo's parents (Lee Min-ho) and in the drama Crash landing of you (2019): the home of Yoon Se-ri's parents (Son Ye-jin).
Photo Credit: Still from Crash Landing On You (2019)
Damyang Reina (Dynasty) Country Club
In fact, the large colonnade gives the building majesty, and it is inspired by the architecture of the 19th century European train stations.
Photo Credit: Still from Crash Landing On You (2019)
Unhyeongung Western House
Seoul, Korea 'Unhyeongung Yanggwan' or 'Western House of Unhyeongung Royal Residence' built between 1911 and 1912 in European Renaissance style, is a building of Duksung Women's University.
Photo Credit: Stills from Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin), 2016
Unhyeongung Western House
The building was built during Japanese colonialism and sometimes used as the private residence of Yi Jun-yong Prince Yeongseon of Joseon.
Photo Credit: Stills from Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin), 2016
Unhyeongung Western House
In 1948 it was sold and in 1984 became the main building of Duksung Women's University. Today, it is one of the gems of Korea that belong to the country's cultural properties. Nowadays, the residence is a museum with free admission.
Photo Credit: Still from Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin), 2016.
Unhyeongung Western House
This house appears in the drama Goblin (2016-2017) where goblin Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) and Grim Reaper (Lee Dong-wook) live.
Photo Credit: Still from Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin), 2016.
Unhyeongung Western House
The style of the building is inspired by the historic palaces of European city centers, caraterized by the mansard roof, the use of limestone finish in the exterior, arches, keystones, columns, thick cornices, and colonnades. The style recalls the Hasumann style of architecture, popularized in 19th Century Paris.
Photo Credit: Still from Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin), 2016.
Drama House
Maiim Vision Village, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea Maiim Vision Village is a large park with buildings made by some famous architects, including the Japanese contemporary architect, Tadao Ando. Inside this park there is a building called Drama House because it has been used in lot of drama and advertising. This particular building consists of a single block with a metal structure and a large window that illuminates the living area and allows you to see the beautiful park.
Photo Credit: Still from Secret Garden (2010)
Drama House
In front of the entrance of the house there is a suspended walkway and a pond. Drama house became famous thanks to the drama Secret Garden (2010) that tells the trouble love story between CEO Kim Joo-Won (Hyun-Bin) and young stunt actress Gil Ra-Im (Ha Ji-won) against the social class differences.
Photo Credit: Still from Secret Garden (2010)
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