Hit K-Dramas Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born, The Queen Who Crowns, and XO, Kitty—All Filmed in this Hotspot

With hit series like tvN’s Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born, The Queen Who Crowns, and Netflix’s The Whirlwind, Chungcheongnam-do (Chungnam) is gaining attention as Korea’s next major filming destination. According to Chungnam Province on February 2, productions filmed there have seen remarkable success across platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Coupang Play over the past two years.

▶ Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born

The tvN drama Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born, filmed at Sunshine Land in Nonsan, tells the story of a musical prodigy aspiring to become Korea’s top national theater actress in the aftermath of the Korean War. Sunshine Land’s immersive 1950s-themed set, previously featured in Mr. Sunshine, brought the period drama to life.

▶ The Whirlwind

Filmed at the Chungnam Provincial Assembly, the Netflix political drama The Whirlwind topped Netflix’s drama rankings in July last year. Starring Kim Hee-ae and Sol Kyung-gu, it depicts a power struggle between a prime minister and the deputy prime minister, earning praise for its high production value and gripping storyline. Key filming took place with support from the Chungcheong-do government, including locations like the Cheonan City Council.

▶ The Queen Who Crowns

TVING’s original drama The Queen Who Crowns, currently setting viewership records with its provocative themes and intense performances, was filmed across Buyeo, Seosan, and Boryeong. The historical drama delves into the political intrigue surrounding Queen Wongyeong and King Taejong. With support from the Chungnam Information and Culture Industry Promotion Agency, the production was granted 10 million KRW and completed nine shooting sessions in the region.

▶ XO, Kitty 2

The Netflix spinoff of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, XO, Kitty 2, filmed key scenes at Sangmyung University’s Cheonan campus in Chungnam. The drama follows the adventures of Kitty as she navigates life at a prestigious Korean high school. Upon its release last month, it overtook Squid Game 2 to claim the global No. 1 spot on Netflix’s TV series chart.

With increased filming incentives, Chungnam hosted 80 productions last year, up from 45 the year prior, placing it third in the country after Seoul and Busan. As more successful dramas and films showcase the province’s scenic and historic locations, its reputation as a major filming hub continues to grow.