3 Asian Attractions That Have Body Doubled As Iconic Western Landmarks In K-Dramas
These villages were initially constructed as educational tools before they were sets for K-Dramas
In K-Dramaland, it’s all about crafting a story, and part of what we admire about K-Dramas is their ingenuity in set dressing. Just when we all thought they have actually flown their actors to European or American locations, we do a double take to look at some western-themed places that are actually located in Asia, and have functioned as “body doubles” for some of the most iconic buildings or places in the West.
These reconstructions actually consist of multiple buildings with various functions related to culture, with museums, theaters, study areas, but also shopping, imported products or inspired by European ones and of course, food. The function of these villages occupying fairly large areas of land is mainly educational, that is, to help people get in touch with a culture other than their own that includes language, buildings, culture, food and products. In these villages, the architectural project brief includes trying to faithfully reproduce European buildings and architectural styles. In dramas, they are often used as locations to shoot some particular scenes or functional to the performance of the drama.
Here are three themed places actually found in Asia, but have played iconic Western locations in K-Dramas:
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
GYEONGGI ENGLISH VILLAGE
Gyeonggi English Village is a public-owned institution that has been in operation for over nine years. The goal of this village is to provide Korean students the opportunity to practice the English language. The Changeup campus based in Paju and Yangpyeong is part of this village where you can study and experience the English language in various contexts without going abroad. To improve the service offered, it is staffed by Korean natives who speak English fluently, amidst a backdrop of buildings that are inspired by American and European architecture.
Photo Credit: Still from Boys Over Flowers (KBS2, 2009)
YANGPYEONG CAMP
209, Yeonsu-ro, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do Yangpyeong camp which is part of the Changeup campus (CUC) was used as a set to set many scenes from the drama Boys over Flowers (KBS2, 2009) scenes were filmed in Shinhwa High School attended by Ku Hye-sun (student Geum Jan-di) and F4: Lee Min-ho as Gu Jun-pyo heir to the Shihwa Group and his friends Kim Hyun-joong (the introverted Yoon Ji-hoo) , Kim Bum (the ceramist Casanova So Yi-jung), Kim Joon (the Don Giovanni Song Woo-bin). The village seems like a miniature city in Virginia, USA, with the reproduction of some recognizable American buildings including Dulles International Airport, the Immigration Office, the Jefferson County Library and the Washington Music Center.
Photo Credit: Still from Boys Over Flowers (KBS2, 2009)
YANGPYEONG CAMP
209, Yeonsu-ro, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do
Photo Credit: Still from Boys Over Flowers (KBS2, 2009)
YANGPYEONG CAMP
209, Yeonsu-ro, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do
Photo Credit: Still from Boys Over Flowers (KBS2, 2009)
YANGPYEONG CAMP
209, Yeonsu-ro, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do
Photo Credit: Still from Boys Over Flowers (KBS2, 2009)
YANGPYEONG CAMP
The scene of Park Bo Gum's fashion show in Milan in the drama Record of Youth (Netflix, 2020) was actually filmed inside this village in a large north European-inspired wrought iron greenhouse, with the Milan cathedral computer generated in the background.
Photo Credit: Stills from Record of Youth (Netflix, 2020)
YANGPYEONG CAMP
209, Yeonsu-ro, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do
Photo Credit: Still from Record of Youth (Netflix, 2020)
YANGPYEONG CAMP
Among the most famous dramas that have been filmed in this village is What's Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018) starring Park Seo-Joon, Park Min-Young and Lee Tae-Hwan telling the story of the love between a self-centered CEO and his all-rounder secretary.
Photo Credit: Still from What's Wrong With Secretary Kim (Netflix, 2018)
YANGPYEONG CAMP
209, Yeonsu-ro, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do
Photo Credit: Still from What's Wrong With Secretary Kim (Netflix, 2018)
The Venetian Macao
In the drama Boys over flowers (KBS2, 2009) an episode was filmed in Macao within the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Macao complex opened in 2007 which includes luxury hotels, casinos, restaurants and 160 shops of the most prestigious brands. Venetian Macao is a luxury hotel and casino owned by the American company Las Vegas Sands, formerly the owner of The Venetian in Las Vegas. The Gran Canal Shopper was built, inspired by the Venetian architectural style reproducing some historic Venetian buildings, and was built by the international architecture firms Aedas and HKS Inc. who were responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of the project on the spot. In this area dedicated to shopping, an artificial canal was created where you can take a gondola ride.
Photo Credit: Still from Boys Over Flowers (KBS2, 2009)
The Venetian Macao
Photo Credit: Still from Boys Over Flowers (KBS2, 2009)
The Venetian Macao
Photo Credit: Still from Boys Over Flowers (KBS2, 2009)
PETITE FRANCE
1063 Hoban-ro, Gapyeong-Gun, Kyunggi-do (616-2 Gosung-Ri) "Little France" is located in the village of Goseong-ri, and is a theme park inspired by French And European architecture. The architectural style seems to be inspired by the village Eguisheim in Alsace. Eguisheim is a small village with about 1500 inhabitants located in Alsace, in the North West of France, a few kilometers from the most famous Colmar, a town of 70 thousand inhabitants among the most visited destinations in the region. This park includes 16 buildings with a focus on the care of the green areas and the theme of the Little Prince. In fact, inside the park there is an area dedicated to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the author of the famous French novella, Le Petit Prince (1943). There are also various buildings with different functions including a museum, restaurant, café and a bed and breakfast. Among the park's attractions is the flea market where you can buy European antiques or watch the puppet show in the little theater set up in the main square. Many Korean dramas have used this park as a set including the Hyun Bin starrer, Secret Garden (2010).
Photo Credit: Stills from Secret Garden (SBS, 2010)
PETITE FRANCE
My Love From The Star (2013) is one of the dramas that have also been filmed in Petit France.
Photo Credit: Still from My Love From the Star (SBS, 2013)
PETITE FRANCE
One Spring Night (2019) is another drama that shot some scenes in this location.
Photo Credit: Still from One Spring Night (MBC, 2019)
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