Everyone Thought It Was Jeju… But This K-Drama Kiss Scene Was Shot Somewhere Totally Unexpected

As Netflix’s hit series When Life Gives You Tangerines continues its global run, fans are flocking to its filming locations. While Jeju Island naturally draws attention as a main backdrop, some unexpected sites are quickly emerging as must-visit destinations — and they're not where you'd expect. Among them are the lush green barley fields of Hakwon Farm in Gochang, North Jeolla Province, and Gwangju Theater, transformed into the nostalgic “Cannes Theater” from the drama.

Not Jeju, but Gochang? IU and Park Bo-gum’s First Kiss Was Filmed Here

One of the show’s most romantic moments — the first kiss between Ae-soon (IU) and Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum) in a field of yellow flowers — had many viewers assuming it was shot in a Jeju canola field. But in reality, the scene was filmed at Hakwon Farm’s green barley field in Gongeum-myeon, Gochang. The sprawling fields mimic Jeju’s iconic scenery so convincingly that even fans online were fooled. Since the drama aired, the number of visitors has surged.

Hakwon Farm is renowned for its picturesque rolling fields and is a standout example of “scenic agriculture” in Korea. From late April to early May, the barley heads begin to emerge, reaching golden maturity by late May. Depending on the season, the farm plants sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos, and buckwheat after barley harvest, offering ever-changing views year-round. More than just a farm, it’s equipped with a restaurant featuring barley and buckwheat dishes, a local produce shop, café, guesthouse, and kids’ experience programs — making it especially popular with families.

Long before When Life Gives You Tangerines, Hakwon Farm had already gained fame as a filming site for various movies and dramas. Now, it's enjoying a renewed spotlight thanks to the series’ global success.

Where Is the “Cannes Theater”? IU and Kim Seon-ho’s Spot Is a Piece of History

In the show, Geum-myung (IU) works at the “Cannes Theater” ticket booth, while Park Choong-seob (Kim Seon-ho) paints movie posters for the venue. The real-life filming location is none other than Gwangju Theater in Chungjang-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju. Opened in 1935, it's Korea’s oldest single-screen theater and is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year.

Key scenes — including Geum-myung reuniting sweetly with her boyfriend Young-beom (Lee Jun-young) in front of the screen, and Choong-seob chatting with the owner while painting — were all shot here. One particularly moving moment shows Choong-seob’s mother crying while watching Cinema Paradiso on a free ticket given by Geum-myung. The vintage red seats and classic interior of the theater added emotional depth to the scene.

The theater’s appearance in the drama stirred strong reactions online: “I saw Gwangju Theater on Netflix!”, “Even with the red seats covered, I recognized it instantly,” and “Seeing a place from daily life as a backdrop made it feel even more heartfelt.” Others praised the perfect fit between the theater’s atmosphere and the show’s nostalgic tone.

Once at risk of closure due to aging facilities, Gwangju Theater is now undergoing a preservation project funded by local donations. The city plans to upgrade projectors, lighting, and seating while launching culture-linked humanities programs. They’re also working on a film-poster painting school and an archive hall dedicated to the theater’s history.

Dong-gu Mayor Im Taek said, “It’s deeply moving to see Gwangju Theater appear in a global Netflix drama. We’ll continue our efforts to make sure the theater remains a vibrant part of our community.”

A Visual Love Letter to Korea’s Landscapes — and a Boost for Local Tourism

When Life Gives You Tangerines spans over 60 years, from 1960s Jeju through the 1990s and into 2025, weaving a grand generational tale. To authentically capture each era, the production team built massive outdoor sets in Jeju, Andong in North Gyeongsang Province, and Yeoncheon in Gangwon Province, while also filming on location in Gochang, Daegu, and Gwangju.

The Jeju scenes — featuring haenyeo diving into the ocean, Ae-soon’s pilgrimage of 3,000 bows, lush green pastures, stone statues, and canola fields — vividly showcase the island’s beauty.

Since its March 7 premiere, When Life Gives You Tangerines has landed in Netflix’s Top 10 in 41 countries, including South Korea. The show’s title, which means “Thank you for your hard work” in Jeju dialect, serves as both a tribute to past generations and a message of encouragement to future ones.

Viewers have been moved to tears, with comments like, “I sobbed thinking about my parents,” and “I realized just how hard life must have been for women back then.” Many are now planning their own Tangerines tours, visiting the show’s filming sites to keep the emotional resonance alive.

With the green barley fields of Hakwon Farm and the historic Gwangju Theater gaining new recognition, When Life Gives You Tangerines is proving to be more than just a hit drama — it’s breathing new life into Korea’s domestic tourism industry.

The Finale

The highly anticipated Volume 4 of the Korean drama When Life Gives You Tangerines premiered on Netflix on March 28, 2025. This final installment, encompassing Episodes 13 to 16, continues to chronicle the intertwined lives of Ae-sun (IU) and Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum), Moon So-ri and Park Hae-joon, navigating their enduring love story through the challenges of the winter season. The recently released trailer offers glimpses of pivotal moments, including family conflicts, heartfelt reconciliations, and significant life events such as Geum-myeong's wedding, suggesting an emotionally charged conclusion to the series. ​

Fans can stream all episodes of When Life Gives You Tangerines, including the latest Volume 4, exclusively on Netflix. ​