Visiting an MBC Studio in 2005 puts you right in the middle of the "Golden Age" of the Korean Wave (Hallyu). Depending on exactly where you went, you likely visited one of two major spots that were the heart of MBC’s production at that time.
Dae Jang Geum Theme Park in Yangju, was the premier destination for fans during the peak of the Korean Wave. Located within the MBC Yangju Culture Valley in Gyeonggi Province, just north of Seoul. The park was opened in December 2004, making my visit in 2005 its first full year of operation and its most popular period for international tourists. Its features traditional Korean architecture that recreates buildings and streets from historical periods like the Joseon Dynasty.
The most popular MBC historical dramas including Jewel in the Palace, Jumong, Queen Seondeok and Embracing the Sun were filmed at this park.
The image provided is a life-sized poster of the actress Lee Young-ae in character as Seo Jang-geum, the first female Royal Physician in Korean history, for the highly successful Korean historical drama Jewel in the Palace (also known as Dae Jang Geum).
Jewel in the Palace, produced by MBC, aired from September 2003 to March 2004 and became a global phenomenon, contributing significantly to the Korean Wave. The series tells the fictionalized true story of an orphaned kitchen cook who overcomes societal discrimination in the male-dominated Joseon Dynasty to become the king's first female personal physician.
The image shows an outdoor historical drama set at Yongin Daejanggeum Park (previously known as MBC Dramia) in South Korea. This specific location features traditional Korean architecture that recreates buildings and streets from historical periods like the Joseon Dynasty.
The park was built by the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) as a dedicated filming site and was later opened to the public as a major tourist attraction for fans of the "Korean Wave".
My picture perfectly capture the snowy, cold conditions of Christmas Eve in 2005.
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This photos shows inside a kitchen set filled with traditional pottery and food props. This was the most famous set at the Yangju park, where the drama's legendary cooking scenes were filmed.
The large, ornate building with the blue-tiled roof in my photos is a classic example of the Joseon-era palace architecture recreated for MBC's historical dramas.
A Piece of "Lost" History
While MBC now operates a much larger site called Yongin Daejanggeum Park (formerly MBC Dramia), the specific Yangju park you visited is now defunct.
Closure: The theme park was closed to the public on January 1, 2014, due to safety concerns regarding the aging temporary building structures.
Rarity: Because the site is no longer open to the public, your photos from 2005 are a rare personal record of a landmark that played a massive role in the early days of the Korean Wave (Hallyu).
Comparison: Then vs. Now
| Feature | Yangju Theme Park (My 2005 Visit) | Yongin Daejanggeum Park (Current Site) |
| Scale | Approx. 2,000 square meters | Approx. 2,500,000 square meters |
| Status | Closed in 2014 | Active and operating |
| Purpose | A dedicated theme park for the Dae Jang Geum drama sets | Korea's largest open set for many dramas and music videos |
| Architecture | Primarily Joseon Dynasty kitchen and palace sets | Sets spanning the Three Kingdoms, Goryeo, and Joseon eras |
| Major Works | Dae Jang Geum, Hur Jun | Jumong, Queen Seondeok, The Moon Embracing the Sun, and BTS's "Daechwita" MV |
Today’s Yongin park is famously beautiful in the winter snow, much like my photos from 20 years ago!
Hj Zulheimy Maamor
Lembah Keramat, K.L
31/12/2025: 5.36 p.m
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