In the heart of the province of Jeollanam-do, in the south of South Korea, lies Boseong, a land that seems painted with endless shades of green. Here nature and tradition meet in one of the most iconic landscapes of the country: the famous green tea plantations, stretching like silent waves along the hills. Seen from above, they resemble a vegetal sea arranged with almost poetic precision: perfect rows of tea plants draw soft curves along the slopes, creating a natural geometry that changes color with the seasons, with the sunlight and with the morning mist.
Boseong is not just an agricultural place. It is a land that symbolizes Korean tea culture, where the simple gesture of picking a leaf becomes tradition, memory and ritual.
The Green Terraces of Daehan Dawon
At the heart of this region is the famous Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation, one of the most photographed tea plantations in the world. Walking along its paths gives the feeling of entering a landscape suspended between nature and contemplation. Cedar tree avenues accompany visitors on their walk while the fresh fragrance of tea leaves fills the air. The terraces unfold like an enormous green fan, shaped over time by the patient work of the farmers. And when the morning mist wraps around the hills, the atmosphere becomes almost unreal: the tea plants slowly emerge from the fog, as if the landscape itself were breathing. The tea produced in Boseong is famous for its delicate and slightly sweet flavor, appreciated both in Korea and abroad.
The Slow Rhythm of Tea Culture
In Boseong, tea cultivation is much more than a simple agricultural activity. It is a tradition that tells the deep relationship between humans and nature. The leaves are carefully picked, often by hand, following precise timings that respect the plant’s natural cycle. Korean green tea is also linked to the tea ceremony, an ancient ritual that celebrates harmony, calm and contemplation. In this culture every gesture is slow and measured: pouring the tea, observing the color of the infusion, breathing in its fragrance. Everything becomes part of a moment of balance and silence. Silent queens that often reign in the scenes of many K-dramas, the tea plantations tell a story made of slowness and harmony. Only now, studying Boseong, do I truly understand their meaning: tea is not just a drink, but a gesture to be contemplated, a ritual of slow movements that teach the art of quietness.
The Boseong Green Tea Festival
Every spring the region celebrates its tradition with the famous Boseong Green Tea Festival, one of the most beloved cultural events in South Korea. During the festival the hills come alive with visitors, traditional music and the aroma of freshly harvested tea. Tourists can live an authentic experience by participating in the tea-leaf harvesting, sometimes wearing the hanbok, the traditional Korean dress. Among the most popular activities are tea picking in the plantations, guided tastings, cultural and musical performances, and food markets dedicated to green tea products. It is a moment when tradition, nature and community come together to celebrate a millennia-old culture.
Boseong Between Cinema, Photography and Visual Poetry
The beauty of Boseong has also captivated the world of cinema and television. Its green hills, crossed by paths and tree-lined avenues, are often used as locations for films, commercials and K-dramas.
The reason is simple: this place possesses an extraordinary visual power.
When the sun sets, the terraces turn golden; when the rain arrives, the green becomes even more intense. When winter gently touches the hills, the landscape takes on an almost meditative calm. Boseong represents the quieter and more poetic side of Korea, far from the fast rhythm of big cities like Seoul or Busan. Here time seems to flow slowly, accompanied by the rustling of tea leaves moved by the wind and the delicate fragrance of the infusion that tells centuries of history. The intensity of the colors, changing with time and the rhythm of the seasons, transforms Boseong into an almost enchanted place. A silent refuge where it feels like walking through the pages of a book, while nature slowly regenerates the body and gently touches the soul.
The spectacular tea plantations of Boseong, particularly the famous Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation, have often been used as filming locations for movies, commercials and K-dramas thanks to their iconic landscape of green hills and perfectly aligned rows of tea plants.
Here are some of the most well-known K-dramas filmed in Boseong.
Legend of the Blue Sea (2016–2017)
Starring Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Min-ho.
The tea plantations of Boseong appear in several scenes set in the historical past of the story. In particular, the scene in which Lee Min-ho’s character saves the mermaid from soldiers among the tea fields is especially famous. The contrast between the deep green hills and the historical costumes makes these scenes particularly evocative.
Summer Scent (2003)
Starring Song Seung-heon.
This romantic melodrama is one of the first K-dramas to use the tea plantations of Boseong as a filming location. The scenes shot among the tea fields contribute to the romantic and melancholic atmosphere typical of the series.
The Rebel (2017)
Full title: The Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People.
This historical drama also used the tea hills of Boseong for several scenes set during the Joseon period. The natural landscape of the green terraces helped recreate a visually poetic setting.
Why K-dramas Choose Boseong
As explained throughout this article, the tea plantations of Boseong are among the most photogenic locations in South Korea.
Their main characteristics include:
perfectly designed green terraces
paths immersed in nature
scenic cedar tree avenues
panoramic views over hills and the sea
For this reason, directors and photographers often choose them for romantic or contemplative scenes, especially in historical or melodramatic dramas.
How to Reach Boseong and the Best Season to Visit
From Seoul
The most common departure point is the capital Seoul.
Train + Bus
Take the KTX train or a high-speed train to the city of Suncheon.
From Suncheon take a local bus directly to Boseong.
Total travel time: about 3–4 hours.
Direct Bus
Intercity buses leave from Seoul’s bus terminals to Boseong or nearby cities such as Gwangju.
Travel time: about 4–5 hours.
Car
Many visitors prefer renting a car, especially to explore the southern region of Korea.
From Seoul the journey takes about 4 and a half hours, passing through beautiful rural landscapes.
From Busan
If you are in Busan, the distance is shorter.
Train to Suncheon
Bus or taxi to Boseong
Total travel time: about 2.5–3 hours.
The Best Season to Visit Boseong
Every season gives the tea plantations a different appearance, but some are particularly spectacular.
Spring (April – May)
This is the most famous season to visit Boseong. The newly grown tea leaves color the hills with a bright and luminous green. During this time the Boseong Green Tea Festival also takes place, dedicated to tea harvesting.
Summer (June – August)
The plantations become an intense deep green. The landscape is very striking, although the climate can be hot and humid.
Autumn (September – October)
Many photographers consider this the most poetic period. The light becomes softer and the hills take on warm shades between green and gold.
Winter (December – February)
This is the quietest and most silent season. Sometimes a light snow covers the plantations, creating a very suggestive landscape, though less green.
The Most Magical Moment of the Day
The best time to visit Boseong is early in the morning. When the mist slowly rises from the hills, the tea terraces emerge from the fog creating an almost surreal atmosphere.
It is in these moments that Boseong reveals its most poetic side, the same one that has captivated photographers, filmmakers and travelers from all over the world
