Jeju tourism (Korea) attracts visitors thanks to a new hit movie

Netflix's hit Korean drama When Life Gives You Tangerines has not only created a global sensation but is also expected to breathe new life into Jeju Island's tourism industry, which has been heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The movie When Life Gives You Tangerines was filmed on Jeju Island, South Korea. (Source: Netflix)

“Tourist Paradise” shines on screen

Since its release, the film When Life Gives You Tangerines has quickly attracted attention thanks to the participation of two famous stars IU and Park Bo-gum. Not only does it tell an emotional love story, the work also depicts the natural beauty of Jeju Island - one of the most famous tourist destinations in Korea.

The drama revolves around Oh Ae-soon (played by IU) and Yang Gwan-sik (played by Park Bo-gum), two people with opposite personalities but a deep connection. Set across four seasons on Jeju Island, the story reflects the changes in the lives and feelings of the two main characters. Not only is it the place where the story takes place, Jeju is also considered a special "character", bringing majestic and poetic natural scenery.

According to FlixPatrol, as soon as it aired on March 7, the series was available in 190 countries and quickly entered the top 5 most watched TV shows on Netflix globally. This fever not only exploded in Korea but also spread to Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan (China) and the Philippines.

Gimnyeong Seongsegi Beach in Jeju, South Korea. (Source: Getty Images)

When nature becomes the main character

Aside from the captivating content, the scenery of Jeju Island is what captivates audiences. The island is famous for its clear blue beaches, majestic volcanoes, and poetic natural landscapes – images that become more and more sparkling with each frame of the film.

The highlight is Gimnyeong Seongsegi Beach with its turquoise waters and fine white sand – where little Ae-soon used to wait for her mother to return from diving for abalone. The scenery here not only reflects the natural beauty but also recreates the simple, rustic life of fishermen, especially the resilient haenyeo (female divers) – a typical cultural feature of Jeju.

Another culturally significant site is the temple at the foot of Seongsan Ilchulbong, where Ae-soon was forced by her mother-in-law to perform a ritual to pray for a son. The mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, witnessed many important moments between Ae-soon and Gwan-sik. In particular, the sunrise at the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong offers a magnificent scene as the early morning sunlight filters through the roofs, dyeing the treetops golden, creating a warm and poetic natural picture.

It is impossible not to mention the bright yellow rapeseed fields – one of the symbols of Jeju. From mid-February to April, the yellow color spreads along the roads, hugging the foot of the mountain, creating a brilliant, vibrant scene that makes visitors linger.

One of the most beautiful scenes is when the character Ae Soon quietly walks on the coastal road, where darkness and light blend, making the scene magical and full of emotion.

Romantic scene between the canola flower field of the couple Oh Ae-soon and Yang Gwan-sik. (Source: Netflix)

Hope to stimulate tourism

Once an ideal resort destination, especially chosen by Korean couples for their honeymoon, Jeju is now facing a serious decline in the number of tourists.

According to the Jeju Tourism Association, the number of domestic tourists to the island has been falling steadily for the past three years, from 13.8 million in 2022 to 12.66 million in 2023 and further to 11.86 million in 2024. The number of flights to Jeju International Airport has also dropped significantly, from 171,754 in 2022 to 156,533 in 2024.

The main reason is believed to be the increasing trend of foreign tourism, when Korean tourists prioritize destinations such as Japan and China over domestic travel. In addition, expensive prices, service quality that does not meet expectations and the increase in tourist-related crimes have also caused Jeju to gradually lose its appeal.

Faced with this situation, the Jeju provincial government has launched many stimulus campaigns, trying to revive the tourism industry - a sector that once brought huge revenue to the island.

Tourists pose in a canola flower field in Seogwipo, Jeju. (Source: Yonhap)

In order to attract tourists back, the Jeju provincial government launched a spring tourism campaign from March 28 to June 4, introducing the island's brilliant beauty during the blooming season, combined with many unique cultural events.

At the same time, the “Visit Jeju Heritage Year 2025” campaign organized by Jeju in collaboration with the Korea Heritage Administration will also bring cultural festivals, helping visitors explore nature and life on the island.

Visitors to Jeju will have the opportunity to experience famous sightseeing tours, admire Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and check-in at locations appearing in the movie When Life Gives You Tangerines . In particular, the lucky draw program also offers the opportunity to win a free trip to this beautiful island.

In addition, those working in the island's tourism industry expect that the success of the movie When Life Gives You Tangerines will create positive momentum, continuing to attract tourists to Jeju.

Tourism industry insiders expect the drama’s success to have a positive effect, helping to attract international tourists to Jeju. “The popularity of Korean dramas, especially the new drama, is helping to revive Jeju tourism, with the number of foreign visitors expected to increase,” said a Jeju tourism official.

“We hope that through the success of the film, Jeju’s natural beauty and cultural values ​​will be widely promoted to international audiences, not only promoting tourism but also honoring the island’s traditional beauty and culture,” said Kim Yang-bo, director of the Jeju Department of Culture, Sports and Education.

Experts say that in the current context, the combination of art and tourism could be the key to reviving Jeju Island's economy, bringing hope to local residents and moviegoers.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/du-lich-jeju-han-quoc-hut-khach-nho-mot-bo-phim-moi-gay-sot-309073.html