KOREA GUIDE
If you want to step into the fantasy world of Alchemy of Souls, you do not need to search for a fictional country called Daeho. Several of the drama's most recognizable landscapes were filmed at real places across South Korea.
The strongest starting point is Mungyeongsaejae Open Set, which was used to represent the fictional city of Daeho. Other verified filming locations include Mungyeong Seonyudonggyegok Valley, Padori Sea Cave in Taean, and Andong Gunja Village.
This guide includes only Alchemy of Souls filming locations in Korea with confirmed filming connections. It also explains which places are easy to visit, which require extra travel, and where weather or tide conditions can affect access.
1. Alchemy of Souls Filming Locations at a Glance
The Alchemy of Souls filming locations are spread across several regions of Korea rather than concentrated in one city. Mungyeong is the most important destination because it has both the Daeho open set and a major natural filming location.
| Location |
Region |
Drama Connection |
Visit Status |
| Mungyeongsaejae Open Set |
Mungyeong |
Fictional city of Daeho |
Public filming set |
| Mungyeong Seonyudonggyegok Valley |
Mungyeong |
Jang Uk and Mu-deok scene |
Open natural attraction |
| Padori Sea Cave |
Taean |
Gyeongcheondaeho background |
Tide-dependent access |
| Andong Gunja Village |
Andong |
Verified drama filming location |
Public historic village |
If you only have one day dedicated to the drama, Mungyeong is the strongest choice. You can see the set used as Daeho and combine it with another verified filming location in the same city instead of spending most of the day moving between distant regions.
2. Mungyeongsaejae Open Set: The Real Daeho
Mungyeongsaejae Open Set is the most important Alchemy of Souls filming location for fans. The Korea Tourism Organization identifies the historical set as the location used to represent Daeho, the fictional city where much of the drama takes place.
The set is located inside the Mungyeongsaejae Provincial Park area and contains palace buildings, noble houses, traditional streets, gates, tiled houses, and thatched buildings. It was originally built for historical productions and has been reused for many Korean dramas and films.
| Korean Name |
문경새재 오픈세트장 |
| Address |
932 Saejae-ro, Mungyeong-eup, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do |
| Nearest Major Bus Hub |
Mungyeong Bus Terminal, followed by local transport toward Mungyeongsaejae |
| March-October |
09:00-18:00 |
| November-February |
09:00-17:00 |
| Adult Admission |
KRW 2,000 |
| Teenager / Military |
KRW 1,000 |
| Child Admission |
KRW 500 |
| Regular Closures |
January 1, Seollal day, Chuseok day, and possible maintenance or filming periods |
| Parking |
Available in the Mungyeongsaejae area |
The set is still used for productions, which means access can occasionally be affected by filming or maintenance. Check the Mungyeong tourism website before making a long trip specifically for the set.
Fans should focus on the overall architecture and street layout rather than searching for one single building called Daeho. The fictional world was created by combining real sets, natural landscapes, production design, and visual effects.
For photos, wide angles work well because the scale of the traditional streets and gates is part of what makes the location recognizable. Avoid entering closed buildings or crossing barriers even if a familiar camera angle appears to be on the other side.
Official information: Mungyeong Culture & Tourism - Mungyeongsaejae Open Set
3. Seonyudong Valley: Jang Uk and Mu-deok
Mungyeong Seonyudonggyegok Valley is another officially identified Alchemy of Souls filming location in Mungyeong. The Korea Tourism Organization specifically connects the valley to the scene where Jang Uk finds and embraces Mu-deok.
This is not a constructed drama set. It is a natural valley surrounded by forest, rock formations, clear water, and old pine trees, which helps explain why it blends naturally into the fantasy setting of the series.
| Korean Name |
선유동계곡(문경) |
| Location |
Wanjang-ri, Gaeun-eup, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do |
| Nearest Bus Area |
Gaeun area; regional bus or taxi connections are required for the valley |
| Opening Hours |
Open 24 hours |
| Closed |
Open year-round under normal conditions |
| Admission |
Free |
| Parking |
Available |
Because the valley is in the same city as Mungyeongsaejae Open Set, these two locations make the most logical pairing for an Alchemy of Souls-focused regional trip.
The valley is open year-round according to current tourism information, but natural conditions matter more than a posted opening time. Heavy rain, snow, flooding, ice, or slippery rocks can make a normally accessible area unsafe.
Important: Weather Can Change Valley Conditions
Seonyudong Valley is a natural outdoor site. Avoid entering slippery stream areas during heavy rain, snow, flooding, or icy conditions, and do not climb onto wet rocks just to reproduce a filming angle.
Official information: VISITKOREA - Mungyeong Seonyudonggyegok Valley
4. Padori Sea Cave: Gyeongcheondaeho
Padori Sea Cave in Taean is one of the most visually distinctive Alchemy of Souls filming locations. Korea Tourism Organization information identifies the cave as a background used for Gyeongcheondaeho, the dramatic lake associated with the fantasy world of the series.
The cave is located beside Padori Beach on Korea's west coast. It is a natural sea cave rather than a permanent filming set, and its appearance changes with the sea, weather, light, and tide.
| Korean Name |
파도리 해식동굴 |
| Location |
Padori, Sowon-myeon, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do |
| Nearby Beach Address |
63-12 Pado-gil, Sowon-myeon, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do |
| Nearest Major Bus Hub |
Taean Intercity Bus Terminal, followed by local transport toward Padori |
| Access |
Only when tide and sea conditions allow safe coastal access |
| Recommended Footwear |
Comfortable shoes with good grip |
Important: Check the Tide Before You Visit
Padori Sea Cave cannot be treated like an attraction with fixed indoor opening hours. Access depends on the tide and sea conditions. Check the local tide schedule before traveling, allow enough time to return before the water rises, and do not approach the cave during high waves or dangerous weather.
Official tourism information also warns that the route can be rough. The safest plan is to arrive with practical footwear and enough daylight rather than timing the visit only around sunset photography.
Padori Beach is also known for smooth sea pebbles called haeok. Do not take the stones from the beach; removing them is prohibited.
The cave is especially photogenic when the opening frames the sea and sky, but never stay inside a coastal cave because a previous visitor photo appears safe. Tide conditions change every day.
Official information: Taean Tourism - Sea Caves
5. Andong Gunja Village
Andong Gunja Village, also known as Ocheon Historic Site, is another confirmed Alchemy of Souls filming location. The Korea Tourism Organization includes the approximately 600-year-old village in its official list of locations connected with the drama.
Unlike the purpose-built Daeho set, Gunja Village is an actual historic settlement containing around twenty traditional houses and important cultural properties. That makes it a useful stop for travelers who want both a filming connection and traditional Korean architecture.
Official tourism information confirms the filming location but does not identify a specific Alchemy of Souls scene in the same level of detail as the Mungyeong locations. For that reason, it is better to enjoy the village as a verified filming environment rather than claim that a particular courtyard or building represents a scene without additional evidence.
| Korean Name |
안동 군자마을(오천유적지) |
| Address |
29 Gunjari-gil, Waryong-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do |
| Nearest Rail Hub |
Andong Station, followed by local bus or taxi |
| Opening Hours |
10:00-17:00 |
| Regular Holiday |
None listed; open year-round under normal conditions |
| Admission |
Free for general sightseeing; hanok lodging is charged separately |
| Parking |
Available and listed as free |
Remember that historic houses are not simply movie props. Follow signs, stay out of private rooms or restricted buildings, and avoid disrupting guests if accommodation areas are being used.
Official information: VISITKOREA - Andong Gunja Village
6. Which Alchemy of Souls Location Should You Visit?
The best location depends on what you want to recognize from the drama. Trying to visit Mungyeong, Taean, and Andong in a single day would create a transportation-heavy itinerary with very little time at the actual filming locations.
| Your Priority |
Best Location |
Why |
| See the world of Daeho |
Mungyeongsaejae Open Set |
Officially used to represent the fictional city |
| Combine two locations |
Mungyeong |
The open set and Seonyudong Valley are in the same city |
| Photograph a fantasy-like coast |
Padori Sea Cave |
Used as the Gyeongcheondaeho background |
| Traditional hanok atmosphere |
Andong Gunja Village |
Historic architecture at a verified filming location |
For most international fans, Mungyeong offers the strongest Alchemy of Souls trip. It gives you the clearest link to the fictional city of Daeho and another confirmed natural filming location without requiring travel across the country.
Padori is better treated as part of a Taean coastal trip because the cave visit depends on the tide. Andong works best when combined with the city's wider traditional culture and heritage attractions.
Before leaving your accommodation, save the Korean names of each location in Naver Map and check regional bus schedules again. Rural transport can be less frequent than buses and subways in Seoul.
7. Alchemy of Souls Filming Locations FAQ
Where was Alchemy of Souls filmed?
Alchemy of Souls was filmed at multiple locations across South Korea. Verified examples in this guide include Mungyeongsaejae Open Set and Seonyudong Valley in Mungyeong, Padori Sea Cave in Taean, and Andong Gunja Village.
Where is the real Daeho from Alchemy of Souls?
Daeho is fictional, but Mungyeongsaejae Open Set was used to represent the city in the drama. It is a public historical filming set in Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do.
Can fans visit the Alchemy of Souls set?
Yes. Mungyeongsaejae Open Set is open to general visitors during its normal operating hours. The current individual adult admission is KRW 2,000.
Which Alchemy of Souls scene was filmed at Seonyudong Valley?
Official Korean tourism information identifies the valley as the location where Jang Uk finds and embraces Mu-deok.
Where was Gyeongcheondaeho filmed?
Padori Sea Cave in Taean was used as a background for Gyeongcheondaeho. Access to the sea cave depends on the tide, so check conditions before traveling.
Can I visit Padori Sea Cave at high tide?
Do not plan your visit around high tide. The cave requires suitable tide and sea conditions for access, and visitors should confirm the local tide schedule before approaching the coastal route.
Is Andong Gunja Village open to visitors?
Yes. Current tourism information lists general sightseeing hours as 10:00-17:00 with free admission. Some traditional houses are used for accommodation or other purposes, so respect private and restricted spaces.
Can I visit every Alchemy of Souls filming location in one day?
No practical one-day itinerary covers all four locations in this guide. Mungyeong, Taean, and Andong are separate regional destinations. For one dedicated filming-location day, Mungyeong is the most efficient choice.
Quick recommendation: Choose Mungyeongsaejae Open Set if you want the strongest connection to the world of Alchemy of Souls. Add Seonyudong Valley if you have enough time in Mungyeong, visit Padori only after checking the tide, and save Andong Gunja Village for an Andong-focused regional trip.
