Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed
The story is set in the Silla Kingdom of the 7th century, centered on the Gyeongju region, and the production leaned on that same region for authenticity. Filming took place at modern Gyeongju historic sites and purpose-built Yongin studio sets, with additional mountain locations such as Gyeryongsan standing in for battle terrain. The overlap between setting and shooting locations is unusually close for a historical drama.
The Studio Side
The studio anchor was MBC Dramia in Yongin, now operating as Yongin Daejanggeum Park. Sets there were renovated specifically for this production, including Misil Palace and the Hwarang training grounds, with historical consultants advising on the replication of Silla architecture. The park is visitable today and can be reached on a guided tour from Seoul that includes the historic K-drama sets.
Tours That Visit These Locations
Only one bookable tour connects directly to these filming locations: a guided day trip from Seoul that includes Dae Jang Geum Park, the former MBC Dramia studio complex where much of Queen Seondeok was shot.
From Seoul, Studio Set Day Trip
From Seoul: Dae Jang Geum Park Historic K-Drama Set Tour
This guided tour from Seoul, priced at USD 55 per person, takes visitors through Dae Jang Geum Park, the former MBC Dramia where Queen Seondeok's palace interiors, Hwarang training grounds and village sets were built and renovated for the series. With 222 reviews, it suits travelers who want the studio half of the story without arranging intercity transport themselves. Gyeongju's real Silla sites require a separate trip.
★ 222 reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Was Queen Seondeok Mainly Filmed?
Most studio work happened at MBC Dramia in Yongin, now called Yongin Daejanggeum Park, where palace interiors, Hwarang training grounds and village sets were built. Location filming took place around Gyeongju, especially at Shilla Millennium Park and real heritage sites.
Can You Visit The Filming Locations?
Yes. Yongin Daejanggeum Park is open daily with guided tours and ticketed entry. Shilla Millennium Park is also ticketed, while sites such as Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Bunhwangsa Temple and the Gyeongju pine groves have public access. Bulguksa Temple charges admission.
Is There A Tour Of The Queen Seondeok Studio Sets?
A guided tour from Seoul includes Dae Jang Geum Park, the former MBC Dramia studio complex. It costs USD 55 per person and has 222 reviews. It covers the studio sets but not the Gyeongju locations, which require separate travel.
How Long Did Filming Take?
Production ran for 12 months, from January to December 2009, with episodes broadcast in real time as filming continued. The series peaked at 43.6% viewership and finished as the top-rated Korean drama of that year.
Were The Sets Historically Accurate?
The production employed historical consultants to replicate Silla architecture at Shilla Millennium Park and MBC Dramia. The studio sets at MBC Dramia were renovated specifically for Misil Palace and the Hwarang training grounds for this series.
Which Gyeongju Sites Should Fans Prioritize?
Shilla Millennium Park offers the reconstructed palace sets seen on screen, while Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Bulguksa Temple and the Mount Nam pine groves provide authentic Silla atmosphere. Gyeryongsan Mountain, used for battle scenes, is farther away near Gongju and needs a full day.
Queen Seondeok's filming footprint splits neatly in two: studio craftsmanship in Yongin and real Silla heritage in Gyeongju. Travelers short on time can book the Seoul day tour to the former MBC Dramia, while those with two or more days can build a Gyeongju circuit covering Shilla Millennium Park, the temples, and the pine groves that carried the drama's most memorable scenes.
