Filming Locations of ‘Mr. Plankton’ That Are Worth a Visit

Plan your next trip to South Korea around the shooting locations of Netflix’s K-drama Mr Plankton.

The latest South Korean series on the block, Mr Plankton, was probably penned to leave viewers misty-eyed, mostly because of its well-timed comedy, complemented by a handful of deep, heart-tugging moments. In this tale, terminally ill protagonist Hae-Jo, with no family, embarks on an adventurous journey to find his biological father. On this voyage, he’s joined by, as the show calls her, ‘the world’s unluckiest woman’ — Jae-mi. Peppered with humorous encounters, meaningful metaphors, and a string of blissful shooting locations across South Korea (read: Jeju Island, Busan, and beyond), Mr Plankton is a K-drama you won’t regret watching.

Also, explore our guide to the most beautiful coastal destinations in South Korea for sun-soaked adventures!

From Genovia with Love: The Filming Locations of ‘Princess Diaries’ Movies

Lifestyle

Explore the Filming Locations of Are You Sure?! with the BTS Maknae Line

Lifestyle

Mr Plankton: Cast, plot, and reviews

The ten-episodic series has been directed by Hong Jong-chan, the mastermind behind hit K-dramas like Juvenile Justice (2022), and It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020). The story revolves around Hae-Jo (essayed by Woo Do-hwan), the product of an incorrect artificial insemination, and Jae-mi (essayed by Lee Yoo-mi), the unluckiest woman in the world. Hae-Jo crashes the latter’s wedding and forcibly takes her on the last trip of his life, an adventure to find his biological father. In addition to Woo Do-hwan and Lee Yoo-mi, the show features Oh Jung-se, Kim Hae-sook, Ahn Suk-hwan, Kim Min-seok, and Alex Landi in pivotal roles.

So far, the show has garnered positive reviews and has been a hit among viewers who appreciate complex characters and a storyline sprinkled with crests and troughs. Mr Plankton’s IMDb rating is 8.2/10. The show was released on Netflix on November 8, 2024.

Journey across South Korea through the shooting locations of the latest K-drama Mr Plankton

Jeju Island

Located on Jeju Island, the popular Hwasun Golden Sand Beach makes a vibrant appearance in the series. Enveloped by a freshwater spring (yes, you can swim in it!) and lush nature that frames its coast, this beach with black-ish sand is a must-visit. Elevate your visit with our guide to seven of the most beautiful places on Jeju Island.

Things to do:

• Explore the Hallasan Mountain. Home to over 368 varieties of parasitic cones, azaleas-strewn nature trails, and a majestic peak, this destination was given the status of a national park in 1970.
• Admire the exhibits at Jeju Arte Museum, Korea’s largest media art museum.
• Learn about haenyeo culture at Jeju Haenyeo Museum.
• Indulge in go-kart racing at 9.81 Park.
• Immerse yourself in Korean tea culture and traditions at O’sulloc Tea Museum.
• Rejoice in the beauty of Jeongbang Falls.

Where to eat: Narnia Restaurant, Nansanri Restaurant, Cafe Oreum JEJU, and Sushi Hoshikai.

Where to stay: JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa, Grand Hyatt Jeju, Lotte Hotel Jeju, and Parnas Hotel Jeju.

Busan

The ever-bustling port city of Busan also makes a splash in the rom-com series. Famed for its charming temples, sumptuous cuisine, marine activities, and museums, one hardly needs convincing to spend a few days in Busan.

Things to do:

• Soak up the sun, sand, and scenery at Haeundae Beach. Along with being the longest beach in Korea, its vibrant promenade is dotted with trendy cafes and souvenir shops.
• Take a tour of the Gamcheon Culture Village.
• Enjoy a drone light show from the shores of Gwangalli Beach.
• Savour the views of futuristic buildings, rocky cliffs, Amnam Park Coastal trail, cable cars, and ocean waves, all at once from the Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge.
• Relish a day out with the family at Osiria Tourist Complex, which houses the Lotte World Adventure, Skyline Luge, Busan National Science Museum, Hilton Busan Ananti Cove, Osiria Coastal Trail, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, and much more.

Spruce up your itinerary with our all-around guide to Busan; the best time to visit, things to do, and where to stay included!

Where to eat: Hapcheon Gukbapjip, Bonheur Patisserie, Climat, Eunhae Galchi, and Mottie.

Where to stay: Lotte Hotel Busan, Park Hyatt Busan, The Westin Josun Busan, and Crown Harbor Hotel Busan.

Namwon-si, North Jeolla

Next on our list of shooting locations for the K-drama M Plankton is Namwon-si. Just 240 km from Seoul, it is located in the North Jeolla province of South Korea. A must-visit for History and culture seekers, Namwon-si is a melting pot of Korean classical music and heritage sites. This city is also home to some of the largest national parks in Korea and the annual Chunhuang Festival (celebrated in May).

Shop the best Travel experiences here

Things to do:

• Embark on a hiking trail on the Jirisan Mountain. Alternatively, you can also hike to the Deogeum Peak.
• Explore the theme park of Chunhyang Theme Park, which explores the fabled love story of Chunhyang through five sections: First Encounter, Vows, Love and Forced Separation, Trials, and Celebration.
• Immerse into Korean literature at Honbul Literary House.
• Spend a morning at the Kim Byeong Jong Art Museum. We also recommend exploring the Gochang Pansori Museum.
• Soak up some sun (and views of gorgeous flower beds) at the Jirian Herb Valley Park.

Where to eat: Gwanghallu Seoksoe Gui, Zipbap Damda, and DaDa Gallery Cafe.

Where to stay: The Suites Hotel Namwon, and Yechon Hanok Hotel.

Gangwon-do

This mountainous province in South Korea is widely known for its plush ski resorts Yongpyong and Alpensia, which hosted the 2018 Winter Olympics. Other attractions include temples nestled amidst enchanting wilderness, gorgeous coasts for surfing, and hot springs.

Also read | 10 Stunning BTS Locations In South Korea That ARMY Must Visit!

Things to do:

• Spend a day at the famous Seoraksan National Park where you can spot exotic animal species like the Asiatic black bear, Siberian musk deer, and Amur leopard, and embark on hiking trails that delight with views of the valley, waterfalls, and rugged mountains.
• Add Legoland Korea — South Korea’s first global theme park and Asia’s largest Legoland — to your Gangwon-do bucket list.
• Explore the beautiful temples such as Woljeongsa Temple, Mt. Seorak, and Naksansa Temple.
• Enjoy skiing and snowboarding at VIVALDI Park Ski World.
• Witness the popular Gangneung Danoje Festival.
• Veg out at Gyeongpo Beach, Mangsang Beach, and Sokcho Beach, among others.

Where to eat: Matsu, Manhang Halmae Chicken Restaurant, Darae Korean Beef, and Analog Society.

Where to stay: SEAMARQ HOTEL, Kensington Resort Seorak Valley, Lotte Resort Sokcho, and Intercontinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort, an IHG Hotel.

(Feature image credit: Mr. Plankton/IMDb)

This story originally appeared in Travel + Leisure India