INSIGHT

Set in the 1990s, the drama A Virtuous Business is centered on the themes of women’s liberation and female friendship. One of its most memorable settings is the dabang, traditional Korean-style coffeehouses that served as popular meeting places from the 1960s through the 1990s. Long before the rise of franchise cafés, people gathered in dabangs to listen to music and engage in conversation. For the youth of that era, these places were both a social lounge and a cultural salon.

Although dabangs have mostly disappeared today, a few carry on their legacy in Seoul. The most iconic example is Hakrim in Daehakro. Established in 1956, it’s the oldest dabang in Seoul and has been inscribed as a Seoul Future Heritage site. The place still maintains its old charm, with its classical music offerings and vintage furnishings. It even carries old favorites like Vienna coffee and ice cream parfait on its menu.

For an immersive experience, visit the 7080 Memory Lane at the National Folk Museum of Korea. This exhibit recreates a full streetscape from the 1970s and 1980s, complete with a dabang, a school, supermarket, comic book store, and tailor shop, providing a glimpse into everyday Korean life from that era. If the dabang scenes from the drama made you wonder, this place would be perfect for you.

Many scenes in Korean dramas often introduce magical moments that blur the line between reality and fantasy. In the recently aired drama Miss Granny, a grandmother suddenly finds herself transformed back into her twenty-something self. The  amusement park where she enjoys youthful dates is none other than Yongma Land. The park also appears in the fantasy drama The Sound of Magic, where reality and imagination blur in the dreamlike location.

Opened in 1983 as a private amusement park, Yongma Land closed in 2011. It remained a derelict place for some time, with its rides and facilities going unused. Now, these nostalgic structures have earned the park a comeback. The faded carousel, rusted roller-coaster tracks, and vintage signboards contain a nostalgic charm that has made Yongma Land one of Seoul’s most iconic retro photo spots, hosting everything from TV dramas, photo shoots, and music videos.

Although the rides no longer run, visitors can still explore the park, take photos, or rent spaces such as the barbecue area and party-room studio for private events. Because the venue is frequently reserved for film shoots and full-site rentals, entry may occasionally be restricted. Be sure to check the Yongma Land official website for updated announcements on access dates before your next visit.

Korea is famous for the rapid modernization of its urban culture. Have you ever wondered how challenging it must be to source locations for period works? The secret lies in Hapcheon Film Park, which vividly portrays the retro scenes from much of K-content. It is the largest historical drama filming site in Korea, with backdrops spanning eras from the 1920s to the 1980s. In fact, over 300 productions including Mr. Sunshine, When Life Gives You Tangerines, A Hundred Memories, and Bon Appétit, Your Majesty have been filmed here.

Each street is lined with era-appropriate signboards, buildings, and props that together offer a blast from the past. Visitors can see all the various historical features that recreate period scenes that represent Korea from the recent past. Just strolling through the sets and lifting your camera would feel like capturing a still from a drama.

If you want to go beyond the sets and learn more about Korea’s modern and contemporary history, stop by the Museum of Modern History of Korea in Paju. There, you can engage with exhibits and immersive experiences on everyday life during the nation’s postwar industrial boom. They would make for a richer time-travel journey through Korea’s past.