10 Perfect Jeju Island-Based K-Dramas To Binge 

The South Korean industry tends to be very creative when it comes to settings: there are often some ancient fantasy kingdoms when it comes to period dramas, and hand-crafted modern worlds full of mystery when it comes to thrillers and horror.

Sure, Seoul, both the present version and the past one, is also one of the most commonly used settings. But there's one that K-drama fans enjoy the most: Jeju Island. It's a unique place in South Korea that every citizen of the country wants to visit. The place is simply gorgeous, with breathtaking landscapes and an overall calming nature. No wonder it is the number one romantic destination.

That's why many rom-coms or K-dramas with the premise of the main characters undergoing a 180-degree life change are often set on Jeju Island. Here are ten of the best to watch if you appreciate visuals.

1. Our Blues (2022)

This K-drama tells us several different life stories of people who were either born on Jeju Island and have always lived there, like Lee Dong Suk, or who moved there to escape their past lives, like Min Sun Ah. There are also some other characters with their own problems and lifestyles that are portrayed in the series, and while at first all of their stories seem to stand alone, after some time you realize how intertwined they actually are.

2. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)

The great story of a life change that may encourage those who are afraid to do something with their lives. After a huge beef with her boss, Yoon Hye Jin, who has been working as a dentist all her life, decides to trade in the big city life and move to Jeju Island to pursue her dream of a quiet and happy life. There she realizes what true friendship and love are and finally finds peace in her heart.

3. Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023)

The newly released series focuses on the lives of two people, Jo Yong Pil and Jo Sam Dal, as they deal with the problems that life keeps throwing at them. Samdal-ri is a small town on Jeju Island where the two lived before Jo Sam Dal moved to Seoul to pursue her dream career in fashion. And Jo Yong Pil, after losing his mother at sea, decided to become a weather forecaster to protect the elders of his hometown.

But after Sam Dal's new life is shattered, she is forced to return to the island and start a new one. And apparently, reuniting with Yong Pil is exactly what will help her.

4. Warm and Cozy (2015)

A heart-wrenching story of two lost souls who rediscover their true selves after being hurt far too many times. The female lead escaped her past life to heal the wounds caused by a failed career and an unhappy personal life, and the male lead wanted to protect his heart from any emotions to avoid being hurt again. But life is unpredictable, and even the most cynical and fearful of love people can be warmed up. Especially in a place like Jeju Island.

5. Summer Strike (2022)

When life goes on like a piece of butter on warm bread, we never think about how long it will last and under what circumstances our lives will change. Lee Yeo Reum was like that when her life was all sunshine and rainbows, and she had a successful career and a handsome boyfriend. Then one day her life came crashing down: her mother died tragically right after she got dumped by her boyfriend, and her work became a burden.

So our girl decides to leave everything behind and move to the seaside town to recharge her batteries and do nothing. However, life brings her a surprise in the form of a cute librarian who once had the same journey in his life.

6. My Liberation Notes (2022)

Unlike many other K-dramas set on Jeju Island, which usually have this "feel good" and "life-changing experience" premise, this show revolves around a mystery. Mr. Goo is a suspicious man who moves into Sanpo Village and makes everyone, including the three Yeom siblings, gossip about the many secrets he might be keeping from all the citizens. One day, however, the youngest sister decides to approach him and find out who he really is.

7. Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol (2020)

Rich girl gone poor is actually quite a popular trope that sometimes annoys viewers, but we are sure this K-drama will make you change your mind. The series focuses on Goo Ra Ra, a young girl who thought her future had been happily predicted and that she would become a famous pianist with the financial help of her father. But then suddenly all her plans fade away because of her father's death and she is left without a home.

As if that wasn't enough, she gets into a car accident and breaks her arm. The man responsible for this, Sun Woo Joon, ends up becoming the one who will take care of the girl.

8. When the Weather Is Fine (2020)

This K-drama has many important topics in it, like forgiveness, healing, and love. It tells the story of Hae Won, a young cello player who was hurt so many times she decided to close her heart forever. She is a good person, but even for her, the big city life becomes unbearable and she decides to move back to the town she was born in.

There she meets Eun Seob, a bookstore owner who actually lives a very simple life, free of stress and other disturbing things. However, his life is about to change right after the two of them meet for the first time.

9. My Perfect Stranger (2023)

The story of this series has two timelines. The show starts with modern day and then comes back to 1987. At the center of the K-drama is Yoon Hae Joon, a devoted journalist, and Baek Yoon Young, a girl whose dream was to become a famous writer.

One day both of them find themselves traveling back in time. There Yoon Hae Joon wants to find out the truth behind a serial murder case, while Baek Yoon Young tries to keep her parents from getting married. They soon realize that their agendas are intertwined.

10. One Sunny Day (2014)

The two-episode K-drama to binge in one evening. It tells the story of two people who end up on Jeju Island to recharge their batteries. The male lead is devastated because the girl he loves is getting married, but he also has to find a place for the festival she is in charge of, so he ends up on the island, where he meets a young girl who also came there for work. However, the place offered her a pretty brutal welcome, as she got robbed. The two meet when they are most vulnerable, but it still seems like fate.