Where Was Moon Embracing The Sun Filmed?

The Short Answer

Moon Embracing the Sun was filmed mainly at MBC Dramia, now Yongin Daejanggeum Park, in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, where most royal palace scenes were shot. Other key sites were the Korean Folk Village in Yongin for markets and commoner scenes, and the House of Choi Champan in Hadong for Yeon-woo's childhood home.

Moon Embracing the Sun, the 2012 MBC historical drama, brought its fictional Joseon court to life almost entirely on built sets and folk village locations rather than original palaces. Most of the royal intrigue played out at MBC Dramia in Yongin, a purpose-built drama set that has since reopened as Yongin Daejanggeum Park.

Filming began in November 2011 with the child actors, and the adult cast held their first script reading on December 25, 2011 at the MBC Dream Center in Ilsan. Shooting ran through a cold winter, and viewers can often spot the actors' breath in outdoor scenes.

Every Location At A Glance

Location	Where	What was filmed	Access
MBC Dramia / Yongin Daejanggeum Park	Yongin	Most royal palace scenes	Ticketed
Korean Folk Village	Yongin	Local markets, private residences of commoners, night scenes	Ticketed

Filming Locations Map

2 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Location By Location

This is where most royal palace scenes were filmed. The set was also used for other hit dramas including Dong Yi, Jumong, and Queen Seondeok. Today it operates as Yongin Daejanggeum Park, a ticketed theme park where visitors walk through the standing historical sets. It sits in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and travelers should check the official site for current opening hours and admission fees before visiting.

The Korean Folk Village in Yongin stood in for local markets, private residences of commoners, and night scenes. It remains one of Korea's most popular tourist attractions, a living museum near Everland with traditional performances and hands-on experiences. Entry is ticketed. Its reconstructed streetscapes give a strong sense of the period atmosphere the production used, making it a rewarding stop for drama fans and general visitors alike.

This hanok complex in Hadong-gun, South Gyeongsang Province, served as Yeon-woo's childhood home. The house was originally built for the novel Toji and appeared in that novel's drama adaptation before this series. Now a ticketed attraction, it features exhibits on Joseon lifestyle and forms part of the Toji literature sites, with seasonal festivals held on the grounds. It is the farthest of the three locations from Seoul.

Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed

The story is set in a fictional version of Joseon Dynasty Korea, but no fictional scenery was needed abroad. Everything was filmed on location in South Korea, using historical drama sets and folk villages in Gyeonggi and South Gyeongsang provinces.

The Studio Side

MBC Dramia, the principal studio facility for the series, has since been renamed Yongin Daejanggeum Park and is open to the public. The park offers visitor tours of its standing historical sets, so travelers can walk through the same palace grounds seen throughout the show.

Tours That Visit These Locations

Travelers who want to see the main filming site without arranging transport themselves can join an organized excursion from Seoul that includes Dae Jang Geum Park among its stops.

From Seoul, Dae Jang Geum Park

From Seoul: Dae Jang Geum Park Historic K-Drama Set Tour

This full-day historic set tour from Seoul includes Dae Jang Geum Park, the renamed MBC Dramia where most of the palace scenes in Moon Embracing the Sun were filmed. With 222 reviews and a price of $55 per person, it suits visitors who want a guided look at the standing sets without the hassle of arranging intercity transport on their own.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where was Moon Embracing the Sun filmed?

Most royal palace scenes were shot at MBC Dramia, now Yongin Daejanggeum Park, in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Market and commoner scenes were filmed at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, and Yeon-woo's childhood home scenes at the House of Choi Champan in Hadong.

Can you visit the palace set from Moon Embracing the Sun?

Yes. MBC Dramia is now Yongin Daejanggeum Park, a ticketed theme park open to tourists. Visitors can walk through the historical sets used not only for this drama but also for Dong Yi, Jumong, and Queen Seondeok.

Is the Korean Folk Village worth visiting for fans of the show?

The folk village hosted the market, commoner residence, and night scenes. It is a living museum with performances and experiences and remains one of Korea's most popular tourist sites, located near Everland in Yongin.

When did filming take place?

Filming began in November 2011 with the child actors. The adult cast held their script reading on December 25, 2011 at the MBC Dream Center in Ilsan, and shooting continued through the cold winter months.

Why did the series end on March 15, 2012?

The finale date of March 15, 2012 came about because of delays related to a director strike. Despite rumors of an extension, the series did not receive one.

How far is the House of Choi Champan from Seoul?

The house is in Hadong-gun, South Gyeongsang Province, considerably farther from Seoul than the two Yongin locations. It is a ticketed hanok complex with exhibits on Joseon lifestyle and seasonal festivals.

For most travelers, Yongin Daejanggeum Park is the essential stop, since it holds the palace sets where the heart of the drama unfolds, and it pairs easily with the Korean Folk Village in the same city. Fans with more time can venture south to Hadong for the House of Choi Champan and its literary history.