Why Wanju’s Soyang-myeon is the Hottest Travel Spot for Fans of ’21st Century Great Lady’?

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[iNews24 reporter Park Jong-su] Fans of the hit drama ’21st Century Grand Madam’ are heading to Suyang-myeon in Wanju County, North Jeolla, hoping to step into the show’s most memorable moments in real life.

After viewers learned that the drama’s key locations—where past and present blended in elegant, time-crossing scenes—are centered around Suyang-myeon, the area quickly became a must-visit for the MZ generation (millennials and Gen Z) and drama lovers.

On social media and short-form video apps, people gush that the locations look even more cinematic in person—some even say they feel like foreign destinations. Those reactions have pushed Suyang-myeon’s hidden spots into the national spotlight as go-to emotional travel destinations.

The hottest draw is Awon Gotaek in Oseong Hanok Village. A 250-year-old hanok sits beside a modern exposed-concrete gallery, creating the surreal, dreamlike overlap of past and present that the series brought to life.

Visitors perch on the daechongmaru, just like the characters, and pose against the sweeping view of Jongnamsan—it’s the photo everyone wants when they want to feel like they’ve stepped into a scene.

Already famous as a BTS photoshoot location, the site has cemented its status as a must-see emotional travel spot following the drama’s success.

Another highlight is Suyang Gotaek, a peaceful hanok framed by a minimalist traditional garden. It appears in many emotionally charged scenes, drawing viewers deeper into the story.

Sunlight slipping beneath the eaves and the surrounding nature earned rave reviews for completing the show’s visual palette. Lately, more visitors are booking hanbok try-ons and docent-led tours, turning the place into somewhere people want to linger rather than just pass through.

The show’s scenic backdrops also attract crowds. Downhill from Oseong Hanok Village, Oseongje Reservoir—with its iconic lone tree and glassy surface—casts a quietly mysterious vibe.

Where the series filmed a romantic signature scene, the reservoir is now a go-to for date outings, moody short videos, and portrait shoots. At sunset, the light spreading over the water becomes cinematic, leaving visitors breathless.

Across Suyang-myeon, the county offers hands-on activities that let you soak up the drama’s refined cultural mood. At the traditional-style Pungnyu School, a mindfulness healing program pairs tea ceremony with meditation to help visitors unwind. Nearby Bonggangyo runs popular one-day pottery classes where you can throw clay alongside master potters.

Visitors love these immersive experiences because they get to touch clay, sip ceremonial tea, and refill their emotional tanks—this is less sightseeing and more a sensory mini-retreat.

The magic continues with the ten-ri cherry blossom road leading to Songgwangsa Temple (about 2.4 miles), a spring highlight in Suyang-myeon. Driving under the cherry blossom tunnel, you can’t help but feel like a character in a drama.

Ahn Hyeong-suk, head of the Tourism and Festivals Division, said, “Thanks to the popularity of ’21st Century Grand Madam,’ Suyang-myeon—the actual filming area—has emerged as a fresh emotional tourism destination. This spring, we hope visitors come to Wanju’s Suyang-myeon to experience the beautiful scenery and traditional sensibility from the screen firsthand.”