Dae Jang Geum Park Will Close October 22–23: What K-Drama Visitors Should Know
MBC’s working drama sets reward a closer look, but visitors should avoid a two-day October closure and check the Korean admission prices.
Korean Screen Roots, Part 2
If Yongin’s Dae Jang Geum Park is on your autumn K-drama itinerary, keep October 22–23 clear. MBC has announced a temporary closure for electrical work on those two days in 2026. The notice was posted on October 6; the closure itself is Thursday and Friday, October 22 and 23, in Korean local time. MBC’s closure notice
Outside that interruption, the park offers a different pleasure from watching a drama: a chance to notice how a doorway, a roofline and the space between buildings help a story work. This installment follows our introduction to Korea’s online cinema archive, turning from preserved films to the physical settings behind screen storytelling.
A working set, with a visitor’s perspective
MBC describes the park as an open set used for historical and contemporary dramas, films and commercials. Its reconstructed architecture draws on research into the Three Kingdoms, Goryeo and Joseon periods. These are production spaces inspired by history, rather than surviving royal buildings. MBC’s introduction
The official filmography includes The Red Sleeve. Before visiting, choose a familiar production from that list and think about its spaces: where characters wait, who crosses a courtyard and what a closed door conceals. A walk can then become more than a collection of recognizable backgrounds. There is room to appreciate the design even when you cannot identify a particular scene. Official filmography
For a musical example, watch Agust D’s 2020 Daechwita video on HYBE LABELS’ official channel. Its production credits name MBC DaeJanggeum Park for location support. The sets become part of a different visual world through performance, costume and camera placement. This is an archival music video, not footage of an upcoming visitor event. Official video
Budget from the Korean page
Check the language of the information you use. On October 11, MBC’s Korean visitor page lists adult admission at ₩11,000, with youth and children at ₩9,000 and preschool children free. Its English page still displays ₩9,500 for adults and different child categories. Use the Korean listing for planning, and confirm eligibility at the ticket office. Korean visitor information
The regular October hours are 9 a.m.–6 p.m., with last admission at 5 p.m.; the announced October 22–23 closure overrides that routine schedule. From November, the regular closing time becomes 5 p.m. Recheck notices before travel.
The address is 25 Yongcheon Drama-gil, Baegam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do. Save the full address: this is an outing to Yongin, not a palace stop in central Seoul. MBC lists a connection from Baegam by bus 105 or taxi. Check the day’s outward and return journeys rather than assuming a convenient departure after your visit.
Let filming set the boundaries
Some areas may be unavailable during production. The English visitor page says filming-related restrictions do not qualify visitors for a ticket refund; it also warns that parts of the sets may be unsuitable for wheelchairs or strollers. Ask about your specific access needs before committing to the journey. English visitor conditions
Treat ropes, signs and staff directions as part of visiting a workplace. There is no promise of seeing an actor, and a crew at work deserves quiet and space.
The best souvenir may be a new way of watching. Back home, notice how a modest passage feels intimate or a courtyard feels imposing. Behind the stars is another achievement worth appreciating: the patient work of building a believable world.
For an archival introduction, see MBC’s official 2018 promotional video. This older video provides background on the park; use the current visitor pages and closure notice when planning a trip.
Image credits: Na Yoon-jin / Gyeonggi Province. All three archival images appear in the October 16, 2024 Gyeonggi feature, reused under KOGL Type 1. Original framing retained.