Our Blues, The Jeju Drama That Captured Rosé's Heart
Our Blues is a 2022 tvN omnibus drama written by Noh Hee-kyung and directed by Kim Gyu-tae. It features an all-star ensemble cast including Lee Byung-hun, Shin Min-a, Cha Seung-won, Lee Jung-eun, Han Ji-min, and Kim Woo-bin, each portraying residents of the fictional Jeju village of Purung-ri and their interconnected life stories.
Released globally on Netflix, the drama attracted massive attention from K-pop fans when BLACKPINK's Rosé publicly expressed her love for the show, creating a unique crossover between K-pop and K-drama fandoms worldwide. The series recorded a peak viewership of 10.04% and swept major awards including the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Drama and Grand Prize (Lee Jung-eun). With its warm storytelling and breathtaking Jeju scenery, Our Blues became one of the most beloved Korean dramas of 2022.
Behind the Scenes
The production team filmed over 80% of all scenes on location in Jeju Island, prioritizing authenticity above all else. Writer Noh Hee-kyung described Jeju's wind and wave sounds as "part of the dialogue itself," emphasizing how the island's natural environment was integral to the drama's emotional texture.
Seongsan Port served as the fictional Purung-ri Five-Day Market. The crew strategically scheduled filming to coincide with the actual market days (dates ending in 4 and 9 each month), capturing the genuine hustle and bustle without hiring extras. Han Ji-min underwent approximately three months of actual haenyeo (female diver) training for her role, and the haenyeo scenes at Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road were filmed alongside real senior divers.
Gapado Island filming was the most weather-dependent location. Kim Woo-bin and Han Ji-min's green barley field date sequence could only be shot during a narrow two-week window in spring, and the production team coordinated schedules around mid-April when the barley was at its most photogenic. An interesting detail: the kiss scene between Dong-seok (Lee Byung-hun) and Sun-a (Shin Min-a) was actually filmed at Sinduri Beach in Taean, Chungnam, not in Jeju.
Travel Guide to Filming Locations
Recommended Route (Full Day, East Jeju): Seongsan Port Market → Gwangchigi Beach → Seongsan Ilchulbong → Seopjikoji
- Seongsan Port: Take express bus 111 from Jeju Airport (about 80 min) or rent a car (60 min). The five-day market opens on dates ending in 4 and 9, so plan your visit accordingly.
- Gwangchigi Beach: 15-minute walk from Seongsan Port. Best visited at sunrise for the most dramatic Seongsan Ilchulbong backdrop, closest to the drama's atmosphere.
- Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road: Located on Jeju's west side, requires a separate trip. Best visited around sunset (5-6 PM) for the most spectacular windmill silhouettes.
- Gapado Island: 15-minute ferry from Moseulpo Port. Only 4-5 departures daily, so check the ferry schedule in advance. Green barley season is mid-April to early May. Rent a bicycle (5,000 KRW) to circle the island in about 1 hour.
Best Time to Visit: April for Gapado's green barley fields. Summer (July-August) for haenyeo culture. Overall best seasons are spring (April-May) or autumn (October-November).
Fan Pilgrimage
After Our Blues aired, the eastern Jeju area, especially Seongsan, saw a notable increase in tourists. Photographing Seongsan Ilchulbong from Gwangchigi Beach has become the signature #OurBlues Instagram shot. After Rosé revealed she was a fan, the crossover between BLINK (BLACKPINK fandom) and K-drama fans created a unique phenomenon, driving increased international visits to Jeju.
Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road earned the nickname "Our Blues Coast" thanks to Han Ji-min's iconic haenyeo walking scene. On social media, fans worldwide share their visits under #OurBluesJeju and #우리들의블루스촬영지 hashtags. Gapado was relatively unknown as a K-drama filming location before this drama, but after airing, daily visitors during green barley season (April) more than doubled.
Nearby Food and Attractions
Seongsan Area: Fresh seafood restaurants cluster around Seongsan Port, where you can enjoy Jeju's famous raw fish, abalone, and sea urchin. The Seongsan Haenyeo House near Seongsan Ilchulbong entrance serves seafood caught by real haenyeo divers. Cafe Aooo, visible from Gwangchigi Beach, is an ocean-view cafe that was also used as a filming location, offering coffee with panoramic Seongsan Ilchulbong views.
Gapado: The island has 3-4 small restaurants specializing in seafood ramen and seafood kalguksu (knife-cut noodles). From Gapado, you can see Marado, Korea's southernmost island, famous nationwide for its jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles). Near Moseulpo Port, the Daejeong Olle Market offers traditional Jeju market atmosphere with black pork BBQ and local dishes.
West Coast: Near Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road, the Hallim Haenyeo Village lets you watch real haenyeo diving and taste fresh-caught seafood on the spot. Combine with Hallim Park and Hyeopjae Beach for a full day exploring western Jeju's charm.
