500-year-old tree becomes overnight tourist sensation thanks to K-drama

500-year-old tree becomes overnight tourist sensation thanks to K-drama

A popular new Netflix series has seen tourists flocking to a tiny rural town in South Korea to see an ancient hackberry tree.

Dongbu, a rural town of just 70 people in the south-eastern region of Korea, has become an overnight sensation thanks to an uber-popular K-drama staring an autistic attorney; Extraordinary Attorney Woo.

The 16-episode series, which is helping lift the stigma of neurodivergence, is currently one of the most watched Netflix shows 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 seventh and eighth episodes of the series went to air, tourists have been flocking to Dongbu to see the town’s 500-year-old hackberry tree, which served as a focal point in a legal dispute during two episodes of the show.

 

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In a case of life imitating art, the sudden popularity has prompted the government to consider delegating it a natural monument for future preservation.

According to the Korea Tourism Organisation, the location is a picturesque spot to take in the charm and relaxing pace of South Korea’s rural towns, worlds apart from the hustle and bustle of Seoul.

The tree is also a great vantage point of the nearby Nakdong river and is the perfect spot to visit in spring when nearby areas become awash with pink and white flowers during the Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival.

The hackberry tree is just the latest Korean destination to become an overnight sensation thanks to the influence of the “Korean Wave” trend, with loads of tours now on offer to show fans the filming locations of their favourite K-content.

Korea Tourism Organisation has published a few handy resources for fans HERE.


Featured image: @ing_drawing via Korea Tourism Organisation 

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