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.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 박은빈 (@eunbining0904)

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 

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]