The period-piece soap opera "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds" (구르미 그린 달빛) has successfully seduced the world. I know you're also mesmerised by Park Bo-gum and impatiently want to go to visit him and the ancient Korean filming locations.
"Even though I closed my eyes, I see you. Do you know how much I miss you?" "눈을 감아도 그대가 보이네요. 그리워하는 이 맘 그댄 아나요?"
There was a spark in my mind that urged me on to action as I was writing this post and as the song "Misty Road" (안갯 길), from the TV show's official soundtrack, played in the background. I want to book a ticket and fly there right now, but my feet are tied, as I’m busy getting ready to move.
Listed here are a few filming locations of major scenes from the show, scenes that featured Crown Prince Lee Young, Kim Yoo-jung (as Hong Ra-on), Jinyoung (as Kim Yoon-sung) and Kwak Dong-yeon (as Kim Byung-yeon).
The Bamboo Grove and Jeonju Sago at the Gyeonggijeon Shrine (경기 전정전)
This shrine is one of the main historical sites in Jeonju. It was erected in 1410 and holds the portrait of King Tae-jo, the founder of Joseon.
Not only this TV show, but movies such as "Masquerade," "My Way" and the TV show "Painter of the Wind" were also filmed or partially filmed at this shrine.
There is a charming, lush bamboo grove in Jeonju.
Hong Sam Nom, the eunuch Ra-on, attempts to run away from the palace. Unlucky, she was stopped by Silver Spoon, the Crown Prince, who was happy to meet her again after Ra-on left him in the pit. "반갑다, 멍멍아," or, "Nice to meet you, Puppy Dog!"
Master Jung Deok-ho quickly disappears after hearing the voice of Princess Myung Eun.
The injured Ra-on is carried by his eunuch friends.
They're coming from the bamboo grove to the Jeonju Sago.
It was below this building, which stores a copy of "The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty" (조선 왕조 실록, 朝鮮 王朝 實錄), that Prince Lee Yeong punished Ra-on with a kiss for disobeying him.
Jeonju Hyanggyo Confucian School (전주향교)
The Myeongnyundang Lecture Hall appears quite frequently, as it serves as Ra-on’s and Kim Byung-yeon's residence on the show. It's also where Kim Yoon-sung and the crown prince spent many happy moments when they were young.
Ra-on offers a chicken leg to the crown prince in this garden before the hall.
A scene is filmed at the Jeonju Hyanggo, between the ginkgo trees.
Because it's winter, many of the trees are missing their leaves.
The crown prince supervises the dancers while Ra-on is busy documenting their dance.
These two scenes were filmed outside the Daeseongjeon Confucian Shrine (대성전 , 大成殿). They just changed the buildings' names for TV.
This shooting location is between the Daeseongjeon and the inner gate.
The Ilweolmun Gate (일월문, 日月門) can be seen from the Manhwaru Pavilion.
Sosuseowon Confucian Academy (영주 소수서원)
Yoon-sung suggests to Ra-on that they sit down underneath the tree. It's one of the pine trees located in the pine forest facing the Munseonggongmyo, near the Gyeongryeomjeong Pavilion just outside the Sosu Museum.
You can clearly see the traditional roofs of the Jirakjae (지락재) and Hakgujae (학구재) halls, that is, the Historical Museum and the Jangseogak Library in the background.
Suwon Haenggung Palace (화성행궁)
They also were able to film a teaser for 'Moonlight Drawn by Clouds' there.
Visitors to the Haenggung Palace (화성행궁) enjoy the sights in front of the courtyard at the Bongsudang Hall.
The Bongsudang Hall acts as the living quarters for the crown prince. Eunuch Jang introduces the building to Ra-on as the 'palace of the crown prince.' In episode three, Ra-on kneels here before being slapped by Queen Kim.
Gudeurae Sculpture Park (구드래 조각 공원)
Filming also took place at the Gudeurae Sculpture Park.
The final scenes were filmed in Buyeo.
I remember the above picture when I searched at the Visit Korea website to find some information about Bukcheon.
I can veritably close my eyes and see myself wearing Hanbok and strolling around this beautiful field, full of blossoming cosmos flowers. Shades of pink and white blend with the blue sky, with its floating cottony white clouds.
By Vera Lee Korea.net Honorary Reporter Photos: KBS (Korean Broadcasting System), Korea Tourism Organization, Vera Lee