An Out-of-this World Drama: You Who Came From Another Star

Rich guy falls for poor girl with the parents naturally opposing the relationship; main character is stricken with a terminally ill sickness but enjoys a love story within the numbered days; guy and girl falls in love only to find out they're actually siblings at the end; main characters strongly hated each other at first but eventually falls in love and of course, there's the scenario where the characters are forced to live in the same house thereby developing feelings for each other.



These are the top five formulaic plots of Korean dramas, may it be a romantic-comedy or a tragedy. There's no doubt that these Korean dramas helped a big deal in putting Korea on the map. No matter how already familiar the viewers are with the storyline, there's just that unexplainable pull about KDramas that makes them highly addicting. But recently, there's one particular drama that featured a very unique plot twist that I believe was a first in the KDrama land. It showed a gorgeous alien who was accidentally trapped on Earth and had to live for the next four hundred years to the present day where he falls in love with a famous but arrogant Hallyu actress.




It didn't came as a surprise that when You Who Came From Another Star (별에서 온 그대) premiered, everyone was immediately hooked. It's not everyday that dramas would feature a dashing creature from another planet that could just sweep you off your feet. This is an out-of this-world romance that captured the hearts of viewers across the globe. This SBS drama debuted on December 18, 2013 and enjoyed an average viewership of 24% in Korea. It also garnered a cult viewership in China with a record-breaking 2.5 billion streams through Iqiyi.

You wouldn't believe how ridiculously popular it was in China. :) :) :)

http://www.buzzfeed.com/kimberlywang/an-insanely-popular-korean-drama-is-ruining-lives-in-china#.lv2MwPJJY

I remember finishing this drama in just one sitting, all 21 episodes of it. The exciting ending was definitely worth that two sleepless nights. Another proof of how addicting this drama can be is that my mom watched it with me during the entire 2-day marathon. She was never a fan but I converted her thanks to this drama.

Of course, a huge credit for the popularity of this drama would have to go to the two main leads Kim Soo Hyun as Do Min Joon and Jun Ji Hyun as Chun Song Yi. The romantic chemistry between the main lead was undeniable. Both actors were able to naturally deliver their respective characters' charisma particularly in the case of Kim Soo-Hyun who gave an excellent mature performance despite his age.



It has the right mixture of comedic relief without overpowering the personality difference that the characters were supposed to portray. Moreover, each episode leaves you questioning as to how on Earth could an alien possess that otherworldly good looks (pun intended). But seriously, it left the viewers intrigued as to how Do Min Joon would be able to go back to his planet. After all, the underlying conflict in the drama lies in choosing to go back to his planet just when he found the girl he loved the most or to stay here on Earth but run the risk of being exposed and eventually lose his supernatural abilities. It's a love story that breaks the time and space barrier.




For 400 years, Do Min Joon carefully built an armor around him guarding himself against any human involvement but it was exhilarating to see how Chun Song Yi was able to slowly but surely create cracks in the otherwise impenetrable armor. The magnitude of all the risks that Do Min Joon had to run through for Chun Song Yi reflected the growing magnitude of his love for her.






All of these intense scenes, provided us a 360-angle of the depth of acting skills that Kim Soo-Hyun has. From being indifferent, superheroic, sarcastic, hilarious, pained, to hopelessly in love. He has an effortless charm that can encapsulate a variety of feelings. The same can be said for his leading actress Jun Ji Hyun who's got like a faucet of emotions which she can choose to turn on or off at her will.






SPOILER ALERT: Home is where the heart is



Of course, all KDramas wouldn't be complete without an excellent shooting location. What makes dramas more visually-appealing are the memorable romantic spots where the couple finally confess their undying love, have their exciting first kiss or their tear-jerking break-up scenes.

Here's the full list of the filming location of the drama for those who want to follow Do Min Joon and Chun Song Yi's adventure.





Credit goes to Korea Tourism Organization
My Love From Another Star Shooting Location

Filming Locations of Drama My Love from the Star

Filming Locations of Drama My Love from the Star

Korean drama My Love from the Star first premiered on December 18, 2013, and tells the story of an alien who landed on Earth some 400 years ago during the Joseon Dynasty and falls in love with a top star actress in the modern era. In this sweet and animated fantasy romance, extraterrestrial Do Min-jun finds himself falling in love with top star Cheon Song-yi, and saving her when she finds herself in perilous situations multiple times. The drama ended with lots of buzz about top stars Kim Soo-hyun and Jun Ji-hyun. Read on to learn more about the drama’s filming locations, which have drawn a lot of recent attention among the show’s fans.

Café Alley in Baekhyeon-dong, Bundang

Episode 2 features a scene where Do Min-jun passes a street on a bicycle. This street is the Café Alley of Baekhyeon-dong (or Pangyo Café Alley), one of the three café alleys in Bundang. At the end of the alley is coffee shop “I’m Home.” This shop is housed in a retro-style building, and has long been known for being small and cozy. Café Alley has gained in popularity since appearing in the drama.

More info 
I’m Home

☞ Hours of operation: 
10:00 - 24:00 (last order taken 30 minutes before closing)
☞ Address: 3-1 Pangyoyeok-ro 10 beongil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do (Baekhyeon-dong 578-8)
☞ Getting there: Pangyo Station (Seoul Subway Shinbundangseon Line, Exit 2). Walk about 20 minutes along the major road. Or take bus 602-2, 602-1, or 71.
☞ Tel: +82-70-4418-0415 (Korean)
☞ Menu: Egg tart, shaved ice bingsu, brunch set, sandwich, beer, and wine

The Flower-Scented Cartoon Café

The cartoon café run by Cheon Song-yi’s friend Bokja that appears in Episode 3 is a real comic book café. Do Min-jun visits the café to get comic books for Cheon Song-yi, and she also later comes here to consult with Bokja (a fortuneteller) about her relationship with Min-jun. Visitors can also read comics and take pictures. According to the shop assistant, people were unaware of the filming because it all took place in the early mornings. The shop has become popular with frequent visits by drama fans. It costs 2,000 won to read comic books for an hour and 5,000 won for up to three hours. Note that the shop does not really have the VIP room in which Cheon Song-yi reads comic books in the show. 

More info 
Cartoon Café full of flower fragrance

☞ Address: B1, 50-6, Changcheon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 
☞ Getting there: Sinchon Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 3 or 4. From Sinchon Uplex Department Store, walk straight in the direction of Ewha Woman's University or Hyeongje Galbi (B.B.Q. restaurant) and take a turn at ARTBOX alley.
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Hangang River Ferry Cruise

The Hangang River ferry cruise is popular among both local and international travelers. In Episode 4, a movie star invites other elite individuals to her private wedding on a rented ferry cruise. During the wedding, a mysterious homicide occurs. Professor Do and Cheon Song-yi also share their first kiss on the ferry. The Hangang River runs through the heart of Seoul, and is symbolic among Koreans. About 20 bridges light up the river at night. All visitors to Seoul are bound to cross over one of the bridges at some point during their trip to the capital city. 
The ferry cruise starts from the Yeouido Wharf and Jamsil Wharf. There are 11 departures from Yeouido and seven departures from Jamsil. During the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain performance, those aboard the ferry can enjoy a beautiful night view of the rainbow fountain twice each day. The other ferry cruises offer live performances during this period. The cruise also offers a buffet lunch and dinner every day. The dinner buffet starts at 60,000 won. 

More info
Hangang River Ferry Cruise

☞ Hours of operation: 11:00-21:00 (ferry may depart at 22:00 for groups of 20 persons or more)
☞ Getting there: Yeouinaru Station (Seoul Subway Line 5), Exit 3. It takes about 7 minutes by walk. Sincheon Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), exit 7; it takes about 10 minutes by walk.
☞ Website: www.elandcruise.com (Korean)
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Yurimmyeon

The naembi udong, or udong noodles in a hot pot, enjoyed by Cheon Song-yi and Do Min-jun in Episode 7 was filmed at Yurimmyeon, an udong establishment with 50 years of tradition. The restaurant is located in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul and has been in business for three generations. All noodles are suta-myeon, or hand-made, giving them a unique and pleasant chewy quality. The noodles are flavored using only natural ingredients, establishing the restaurant as one of the top noodle destinations in the city. At the top of the menu is the savory naembi udong, which comes with fresh eomuk (fish cakes), egg, rice cakes, and mushrooms. This dish is particularly soothing during the winter season. Other popular dishes on the menu are bibimmyeon and milmyeon (although these noodles were not featured in the drama). Boasting chewy noodles, the milmyeon is served in a broth made with healthy medicinal ingredients, making it a highly recommended dish during the summer. All items can be ordered for takeout.

More info
Yurimmyeon 

☞ Address: 139-1 Seosomun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul 
☞ Getting there: City Hall Station (Seoul Subway Lines 1 & 2), near Exit 11 or 12 
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Hangnim Dabang

In Episode 8, Professor Do and Lawyer Jang play a round of janggi (Korean chess) at a café called Hangnim Dabang, which has been in business since 1956. When it first opened, it was a popular gathering place among Seoul National University students as well as figures from the art world—music, fine arts, theatrical plays, literature. The tables and chairs are still arranged in the same way as they were in the past, providing a unique old-fashioned ambiance. In addition to coffee and tea, the shop is famous for its cream cheese cake, made right at the cafe. The shop also has numerous old vinyl albums on display. Together with the piano and various coffee utensils, the old songs played with these records behind the counter enhance the café ambiance, taking visitors back to a special time in Korea’s modern history. The shop was also a filming location in Korean dramas The Heirs and High Kick Through the Roof. 


More info
Hangnim Dabang 

☞ Address: 94-2, Myeongnyun 4-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul 
☞ Getting there: Hyehwa Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 3. Walk about 60 meters ahead. 
(Exit 3 is currently under renovation, so use exit 2) 
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Jangam Reservoir

The 11th episode features a scene where Cheon Song-yi and Do Min-jun spend time together in the snow-covered outdoors. This scene was filmed at the beautiful Jangam Reservoir in Gungmangbong Recreational Forest in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do. The reservoir is a bit tricky to find, making it relatively less known to the general public. Behind the reservoir are majestic mountain peaks and a beautiful lake. In the winter, visitors can also enjoy camping on the ice.

More info
Jangam Reservoir

☞ Getting there: Public transportation: From Dong Seoul Terminal, take a bus bound for Wasu-ri, Sachang-ri (first bus 06:50 / 30min interval). Get off at Idong Terminal (travel time: 1hr 10min) and walk toward Gukmangbong Peak (30-minutes away) or take a taxi. 
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Korean Folk Village

Episode 11 goes back to a scene in the Joseon Dynasty. Do Min-jun consults with Heo Jun, a noted Oriental medicine doctor of the time, and confesses that he came from a far-away star. This scene was filmed at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do inside a straw shoe workshop. The shop normally displays Korean traditional straw shoes. The Korean Folk Village offers a great harmony between traditional Korean homes called hanok and the surrounding landscape. Lucky visitors can also spot a traditional Korean wedding or shooting of a movie or drama. Photo zones have also been set up at areas where movies and dramas were filmed, so visitors can take pictures against an array of backgrounds. 

More info
Korean Folk Village 

☞ Address: 90 Minsokchon-ro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
☞ Getting there: Suwon Station (Seoul Subway Line 1). Take a free shuttle bus to the village
☞ Homepage: http://www.koreanfolk.co.kr/ (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Dongdaemun Design Plaza

In Episode 14, Cheong Song-yi shoots a scene where she performs a stunt, diving off the side of the building supported by wires attached to her body. This scene was filmed in the well-known Dongdaemun area of Seoul. Resembling a space ship and located across from the Dongdaemun shopping malls, Dongdaemun Design Plaza & Park (DDP) opened on March 21, 2014. Designed by world-famous designer Zaha Hadid, the DDP took four years to build. It is a large urban development project featuring three floors above ground and three underground. It includes a museum, business center, and park. 

More info 
Dongdaemun Design Plaza 

☞ Getting there: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Seoul Subway Lines 2, 4 & 5), Exit 1. 
☞ Homepage: http://www.ddp.or.kr/ (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Petite France

* Photo courtesy: Petite France
In Episode 15, Do Min-jun kisses Cheon Song-yi by employing his supernatural powers. This romantic scene unfolds at Petite France in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do, which has since drawn considerable attention online. It was also a filming location of Korean dramas Secret Garden, Beethoven Virus, and variety program Running Men. On February 14, 2014, the Petite France extended its hours to 9 p.m. The extended hours will run through the end of August. 

More info 
Petite France 

☞ Getting there: Cheongpyeong Station (Gyeongchunseon Line). Take the Gapyeong city tour bus. 
☞ Homepage: http://pfcamp.com (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Provence Village

In Episode 16, Do Min-jun faints after receiving a kiss from Cheon Song-yi. Cheon Song-yi grumbles and drives him home. The background of the scene changes from the Petite France in Gapyeong to Provence Village in Paju. Just like the Petite France, Provence Village also features French-style buildings. Following the opening of the first French restaurant in 1996, other restaurants, fashion stores, and cafes opened up, forming this village. 

More info 
Provence Village 

☞ Getting there: Hapjeong Station (Seoul Subway Lines 2 & 6), Exit 2. Take red bus 2200 and get off at Seongdong-ri Three-way Intersection. It takes about 15 minutes on foot. 
☞ Website: http://provence.co.kr/main.php (Korean)
☞ Related column
Plan a romantic getaway to Gapyeong - A sweet escape from the whirlwind city life

N Seoul Tower

The location where the date takes place in Episode 16 and 18 can be quickly identified by anyone who has ever visited the local landmark. Travel site Tripadvisor’s users selected N Seoul Tower as the most popular tourist site in Korea. In the episodes, top star Cheon Song-yi also wanted to go there on a date, and create a special lock with Do Min-jun to attach to the fence. N Seoul Tower features a 300-meter high observatory as well as various restaurants and shops. Located on the highest floor of the tower is n.GRILL, a luxurious restaurant offering Michelin star-rated French cuisine. Reservations are required. Lunch starts at 45,000 won, and a couple set menu is 320,000 won. 

More info
N Seoul Tower 

☞ Getting there: Myeongdong Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 3. Walk about 10 minutes and take the Namsan Cable Car. Or Chungmuro Station (Seoul Subway Line 3 or 4), Exit 2. Take Yellow Circuit Bus 2.
☞ Website: http://www.nseoultower.co.kr/ (English, Korean)
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ Related column 
N Seoul Tower on Namsan Mountain – A Must-See Landmark of Seoul

Ilsan Lake Park

Episode 17 features guest star Suzy, a member of K-pop group Miss A, whose presence causes Cheon Song-yi to feel jealous. The scene was shot at Ilsan Lake Parkin Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (a satellite city of Seoul). The park features an artificial lake, a walking trail, and a music fountain where people can rest and hang out. A variety of performances and festivals held at the park year round. Near the park areLaFestaKINTEXOnemount Snowpark & Waterpark.

More info
Ilsan Lake Park

☞ Getting there: Jeongbalsan Station (Seoul Subway Line 3). It takes 10 minutes on foot.
☞ Homepage: http://www.lake-park.com/ (Korean)
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Jangsado Island


Photo courtesy: Visit Korea (Korean site)
In Episode 19, Do Min-jun goes with Cheon Song-yi to visit an island to find a quiet place to spend time together. They travel to the island of Jangsado, which is 1.9 kilometers in length and located west of the southern part of Geoje Island. The island’s name derives from its resemblance to a snake. Go up the stairs to the observatory to view the vast sea and natural scenery full of green colors. Jangsado has a variety of flora, but is particularly famous for its red camellia, which are beautiful in full bloom. The first place Do Min-jun and Cheon Song-yi visit on the island is Camellia Path. The green tunnel and red of flowers are romantic to walk through, with fallen petals resting on the ground below. This is the place where Do Min-jun proposes to Cheon Song-yi.
More info

☞ Jangsado Island 
☞ Homepage: http://jangsado.co.kr (Korean) 
☞ Admission

CategoryIndividualsGroups 
(of 30 persons or more)
Adult8,500Discount fare does not apply for adult groups.
Military personnel/student (middle school, high school)7,000 won6,000 won
Children (3 years or more)5,000 won4,500 won
Person with disability5,000 won 

☞ Getting there: Take a ferry for Jangsado From Tongyeong Ferry Wharf or Geoje Gabe Wharf. 
Tongyeong Ferry 
Gabae Jangsado Ferry 
☞ Tel: +82-55-633-0362 (Korean) 
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
* Note: The opening of the Jangsado Maritime Park may be subject to weather conditions.

Dal.koom Coffee

Jang, the lawyer, reads a newspaper article about a meteorite at Dal.koom Coffee, a franchise coffee chain. In Korean, dal.koom means sweet.
Dal.koom Coffee has hosted a variety of star events and drama filming. It has hosted events for actor Daniel Henney and K-pop groups like the Boys Republic and A-JAX. Dal.koom currently operates 50 chains in areas like Gangnam, Apgujeong, Daehangno, and Time Square. This scene from My Love from the Star was filmed at the Geopo branch in Gimpo.

More info
Dal.koom Coffee

☞ Hours of operation: 09:00-24:00
☞ Address: 8 Geopo-ro, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do 
☞ Getting there: City Hall Station (Seoul Subway Lines 1&2) Exit 3. Take red bus 8600 and get off in front of Hi-mart. The coffee shop is on the first floor of the Megabox Movie Theater. Or take Subway line 5 or 9 and get off at Gimpo Airport station. Take a taxi and it takes about 25 minutes (around 12,000 won for taxi). 
☞ Website: http://www.dalkomm.com/ (Korean)



And if visiting the filming locations was not enough to give you all the feels; and you want to relive the most romantic scenes of the drama, here's the link to the full official soundtrack.




You From Another Star OST

The carrier single "My Destiny" is a fitting song guaranteed to make you cry a river as you remember the emotional struggles of the characters upon realizing that the existence of their extraordinary love might not be possible in this lifetime.



Photo credit goes to the following sites:
wikidrama, viki, pinterest, buzzfeed, dramabeans








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