It’s the latest K-drama everyone’s creating a buzz – an autistic attorney takes on cases in a large law firm, and in doing so, helps lift the stigma of spectrum disorders. As the 16-episode series of “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” airs on Netflix, it has climbed the weekly charts to be one of the most watched TV shows on the platform in Australia. As often happens with K-content, its popularity is driving fans to filming locations, overturning hidden gems off Korea’s beaten path.
Since the 7th and 8th episodes of the series went to air, tourists have been flocking to Dongbu, a rural town of just 70 people in Changwon in the south-eastern region of Korea. Perched atop a grassy hill, the town’s 500 year old hackberry tree served as a focal point in a legal dispute during two episodes of the show. In a case of life imitating art, the tree’s age and beauty have now prompted the government to consider delegating it a natural monument for future preservation.
The location is a picturesque spot to take in the charm and relaxing pace of South Korea’s rural towns, world’s apart from the hustle and bustle of Seoul. The tree is also a great vantage point of the nearby Nakdong river. It’s the perfect spot to visit in spring, as nearby areas become awash with pink and white flowers during the Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival.
Many other locations have become overnight sensations thanks to Korean dramas and the influence of the “Korean Wave” trend. For more information on K-content filming locations, go to visitkorea.org.au.
