DIARY

Credit: Jeju Tourism Organization

In Korean dramas, traditional markets serve as both a mirror reflecting the lives of ordinary people and a gateway to those lives. They always make an appearance in scenes depicting the simple daily lives of the main characters and those around them. Let's enjoy a unique journey at this place, filled with affordable, high-quality goods, unique local delicacies, and the warmth of Korean hospitality.

| Cheongha Gongjin Market

Cheongha Gongjin Market is a filming location for the heartwarming romance drama “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha,” set in the fictional fishing village of Gongjin. Throughout the market alleys, you’ll find locations from the drama, such as Oyun Café, Cheongho Hardware Store, Bora Supermarket, and Gongjin Banjeom, all preserved just as they appeared on the screen. It feels as though the cast could walk out at any moment, waving from the door. Not far from the market, you can also visit Sabang Memorial Park, where you’ll find Hye-jin's (Shin Min-a) workplace, Yoon Dental Clinic, and Hong Du-sik’s (Kim Seon-ho) Sunim Boat.

| Goseong Fifth-Day Market

Credit: Jeju Tourism Organization

Goseong Fifth-Day Market is the place where key characters, including O-dong (Kim Hye-ja) and Chun-hee (Go Doo-shim), from “Our Blues” sold vegetables. It’s a real market in Jeju, but unlike tourist spots like Dongmun Market or Olle Market, it offers items that locals use in their daily lives rather than souvenirs. The market is open on the 4th and 9th days of the month, as well as on any day that ends in 4 or 9. Be sure to try hearty foods like syrup-filled pancakes, fish cakes, and rice soup, and then visit nearby UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites, such as Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone and Seopjikoji.

| Bangsan Market

Bangsan Market is a place where you can find all sorts of specialized materials, including packaging supplies, baking goods, and more. In “Gangnam Beauty,” Mi-rae (Im Soo-hyang) and Hyun-jung (Min Do-hee) also visit this market to buy diffuser materials at affordable prices. Although it is commonly known as a general goods market, it is worth visiting for its many long-standing shops. And due to its proximity to Gwangjang Market, it’s also a great spot for foodies. From the addictive Pyongyang cold buckwheat noodles and sweet-savory bulgogi at Woo Lae Oak, which was selected for the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand, to hidden eateries and cafés scattered throughout the alleys, you'll easily lose track of time while exploring.

* This column was last updated in November 2024, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to confirm details before visiting.