DIARY

Hallyu Diary Vol.5

Hey there, it’s me, Joy and I’m back with my diary!
The city of Daejeon has become a popular filming location so I had to go see it for myself.

Located in the heart of Korea, Daejeon boasts convenient transportation and solid infrastructure,
which makes it the perfect place to capture stories set in all kinds of time periods.

So, I followed the K-content and stepped right into the scenes!
Along with delicious Daejeon treats, I had a truly unforgettable day♥

As soon as I arrived in Daejeon, a city known as a prime filming location,
immediately I began noticing familiar sights everywhere.
It felt like the whole city was one giant set!
For my first stop, I visited the backdrop for the drama Life on Mars and the film The Attorney,
the Daejeon Modern & Contemporary History Hall!

From the moment I stepped inside, it felt like time had come to a complete stop.
In fact, the time-slip scenes set in the 1980s from Life on Mars,
and the scene in The Attorney introducing the character played by Song Kang-ho
were all filmed inside and outside this very exhibition hall!

As I walked around while replaying those scenes in my head,
it felt like I’d walked straight onto a film set.

In the past, this was the main hall for the South Chungcheong Provincial Government,
which witnessed major moments in Korea’s modern history.
Now, it has been reborn as a cultural heritage site and museum that tells those very stories.

Thanks to the traces of time that were still etched into the place,
it felt less like I was just looking at exhibits, and more like I was standing in the past.

The whole place felt like a time machine in Daejeon,
where you can feel both the signature charm of K-content and the weight of history.
If I ever find myself back in Daejeon, this is a place I want to revisit.

Next, I headed to another spot filled with Daejeon’s history and personality—Sungsimdang.
This place is more than a bakery; it’s what gave Daejeon its reputation as the “city of bread.”
It’s so legendary, people see Sungsimdang as a symbol unto itself.

In fact, this bakery was name-dropped by a bunch of K-pop idols.
IVE’s Yujin, who was born and raised in Daejeon, recommends the cod roe baguette,
while NMIXX’s Sullyoon picked the kimchi glutinous rice ball—if you know, you know!

Since this was my first visit, though, I chose to go for the bakery’s classics:
the fried soboro, chive bun, and mango siru!
Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, the soboro was the perfect mix of sweet and savory,
while the chive bun tasted like a delicious steamed veggie bun, but with a fresh chive kick.
The mango siru was a yummy sponge cake layered with fruit, and bursting with flavor.

After trying them all, I finally got why people line up for this bakery.
As soon as I took a bite, I found myself nodding, “So this is Sungsimdang.”

Happily full from Sungsimdang, I made my way to Soje-dong!
I wanted to see Hwangcheon-dong Alley from the drama The Judge from Hell.
Turns out, the actual filming location for that alleyway is none other than
the Railway Station Village (Sollangsiul-gil) in Soje-dong!

This village used to be where many railway engineers and workers lived in the past.
It was home to many Japanese railway technicians,
so it’s easy to still spot traces of Japanese-style architecture.
With its old brick houses and narrow alleyways still intact,
the village made the perfect backdrop for the drama’s dark fantasy vibe.

Soje-dong, where the village is located, is one of Daejeon’s trendiest neighborhoods.
Artists and young entrepreneurs have settled down here,
giving rise to creative spaces and quirky little shops.
Cute cafés, craft studios, and retro shops are tucked into alley corners,
while unique murals and sculptures turn every spot into a photo op with analog charm.

After a long stroll, I ducked into a café that caught my eye, ordered a coffee,
hit play on a drama OST, and gazed out the window at the alley outside.
That right there was my perfect Hallyu-inspired moment.

After soaking up the vintage vibes in the alleys of Soje-dong,
I headed to Expo Science Park to experience another hallyu hotspot in Daejeon.

When I arrived, the first to greet me at the park was Daejeon’s beloved mascot, Kumdori!
Looking at its round, adorable face, I couldn’t help but smile back when it waved.

Kumdori was the official mascot of the 1993 Daejeon Expo,
and while it represents pure nostalgia for locals, it’s making a retro-style comeback!
Of course, I had to snap a pic with the iconic Hanbit Tower in the background.

Since the park was originally the site of an international expo,
every building has its own unique flair, and the wide plaza is perfect for a stroll.
There are also science museums and observatories, so the place is great for families, too!

Photo credit: Korea Creative Content Agency

Right next to the park is Studio Cube, another must-visit destination!
Honestly, this was the real reason I came to Expo Science Park in the first place.
Studio Cube is where they filmed Squid Game Season 2,
with its sleek, impressive exterior that made me gasp, “This is where the magic happens.”

Photo credit: Korea Creative Content Agency

What’s more, Netflix dramas like Kingdom and Hellbound were also filmed here.
Although access is restricted, just standing in front of the building made me feel like a star!
Knowing I was standing in the heart of hallyu content made my heart swell.