Not counting the last few days when we were on our own extended stay, Hanhwa Resort turned out to be the only hotel that we stayed for 2 nights. And like the other resorts that are out of town area, the rooms are big and roomy, with kitchenette, a small dining area and a little hall included. There were also 2 bedrooms, so the place is big enough for at least 3 people to share.
Both Lynn and I decided to sleep together in one room…and kept the other room for our luggage. Hehe!
Breakfast was ok…think we were all still recovering from our BBQ Black Pork and karaoke session the previous night. Some of the other girls like Alicia, Kelly, Jessica and Joannie stayed up late to finish the poster. Thanks girls!
We had a leisurely enough breakfast. The food was alright, a bit of mixture between Korean and Western food. I don’t know how the conversation started but I do think we’ve all watched too many K dramas. ^^ Remember the egg cracking session in ‘My Girl’ and ‘Lovers in Paris’? Well, Alicia decided she JUST had to try to see how it’s like….1,2,3,GO!
Soon, Manager An was chasing us to hurry up with our breakfast as we had a long day ahead of us. We would be visiting the major film site for Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi.
Along the way to the film site (or Southern Park), we saw this….
Aren’t they pretty? Our guide, Lily told us that they were called ‘lu wei’. They were really, really pretty and we spent quite a while taking photos there.
When we reached there at about 9+ in the morning, there were already quite a few busloads there. I had ‘visited’ it in 2007…from afar……very afar…as they were not opened to the public yet. In fact, I think they hadn’t even finished building the sets when I came by then. This is the entrance:
The film site/ park is rather big, so be prepared to spend a couple of hours exploring it. Of course, it would be better if you have watched the drama already, coz then you will get all excited upon seeing the familiar spots…just like Kelly, Jessica and I did. ^^ Manager An explained the various important spots (eg- the place where he was injured) first before giving us to explore on our own. Hehe! He did made a slip-up on one part though and Kelly corrected him. But I guess this slip-up was due to the fact that the script probably changed too many times.
Anyway, here goes…see if you recognized any of them and for added interest, let’s play a little game….see if you could answer my questions correctly.
The gambling table-
Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi Q1- Lee Ji Ah, as the grown up Suzini, appeared in this scene only once, which scene was that?
Gambling Den-
I was initially very confused as I thought Dam Deok (Bae Yong Joon) was sitting somewhere else. You know all these places looked almost alike but there is slight difference. hehe! It was like looking for the right lamp post in Chun Cheon for Winter Sonata. Luckily Manager An told us the right one.
Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi Q2- What was the significance between Dam Deok and Suzini in this scene?
Public House- Actually, I’m not sure if it was called Public House…but you can see why I was confused between this part and the one above. Quite similar right?
Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi Q3- Why was Suzini jumping out of the place in a hurry?
The throne- Cannot sit! Unless you’re the King…hahaha! The throne is actually quite big but didn’t look very comfortable. Well, being a King is never comfortable.
I have to say, I don’t dig this King’s look very much., much prefer him in military uniform.
Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi Q4- Did Dam Deok ever sat on the throne?
Of course the Tae Wang army must take photo in front of our King’s throne lah.
The royal jade pond?- Not sure what do you call this…but there was some water in the pond? Stream? I wanted so much to take a photo with clear view but hor…there is forever someone in front of the throne…
Poor Dam Deok never really wanted to be King…he was ‘forced’ into it. Sigh..
TWSSG Q5- What was he doing in the hall all alone? Hint:- He had just became King.
The assembly hall steps- This was of significance to me…as it was the setting of many scenes between Dam Deok and Suzini. Hehe! I was standing for quite a few minutes, trying to figure out exactly which steps they were sitting.
The drinking bottle- And why am I taking a photo of this? Because my King drank from it. Wahahaha!
I think whenever Dam Deok and Suzini are in this hall, they would always be drinking. I would consider it as their dating ground. Hehe! But this scene was probably one of the more romantic scene.
Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi Q6a- Which scene was this and Tae Wang Ss Shin Gi Q6b- name one other drinking scene where Suzini was using the same bottle.
The library-
Dam Deok placed a lot of emphasis on the library and had requested the Geo Mul villagers to set up their base here. There were lots of stationery here and even the picture of a ship. We were wondering if it was the picture of the ship he had ‘borrowed’ from Heok Gae, the big teddy bear. ^^
Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi Q7- Why did the Geo Mul villagers seemed worried?
The royal bed- Almost everyone I know went to lie on the bed. At least you can say you were on the same bed as BYJ. Wahahaha! The bed wasn’t soft at all but then I think Bae Yong Joon doesn’t like soft beds anyway.
Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi Q8- Why couldn’t Dam Deok sleep?
The cart- I wished I had sat on it..alamak…wasted chance..
This cart was really used many times…but I’m not sure how strong it really is. I would have loved to try it out. Would have been so fun riding with a horse pulling it. Maybe they should include a joy ride within the park?
Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi Q9- Name at least 2 occasions when this cart was used
Palace steps- Kelly and I were discussing if this was the steps that he sat on….hehe! Told you all the photos we took are related to him… There’s a rather big stream running underneath the steps and there are even little fish sculptures inside…very nice…But we didn’t really get to see this in the drama..coz the emphasis was of course on the cast…
Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi Q10- How many times did Ho Gae and Dam Deok meet here?
A view of the palace grounds..
Somewhere amongst all these rooms and places, there is a café. But hor…all of us had absolutely no time to try it out. Sigh…Those of you who are going there in the future, let me know how it is like.
Fortress? Battle discussion scene? I couldn’t remember where this set was used…maybe someone can enlighten me. But I do recall seeing the crates in various scenes.
Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi Q11- Which scene was this? Hint: CG effect was used. And this was the only only scene I remembered where the setting was used
From the café to the fortress…
Geo Mul village- The Geo Mul village isn’t very big and hehe…it looked more mystical in the drama because of the CG effects. Yes, the well was there but there wasn’t any magical cane coming out of the well. We took a peep and saw quite a few coins at the bottom of the well. Maybe they should have put a couple of tortoises instead?
Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi Q12- Can you spot the CG effects?
The baby cot-
Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi Q13- Who was in the baby cot? This is a no-brainer question…
Yon Gar Ryeo’s house- This is part of Yon Gar Ryeo’s house, which was full of beautiful nice furniture and rather big too. I remember reading one of the article saying that PD Kim wanted the house to be big and luxurious to reflect his standing. Yon Gar Ryeo was also real historical figure though I’m not sure if he really married the King’s sister…Btw, I loved Park Sang Won’s portrayal of Yon Gar Ryeo and thought it was a pity that he wasn’t nominated for any awards.
Small stone bridge- This is outside the palace already…
Besides Dam Deok (Bae Yong Joon), another guy that drew a lot of attention was Philip Lee…^^ Think he captured quite a few hearts in TWSSG.
Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi Q14- Who was Cheo Ro waiting for?
Main stone bridge-
I remember when I first saw this on on my computer (it wasn’t Dam Deok crossing the bridge)…the scene was really grand… but of course, a lot of CG effects were used…Still the camera angle was really good.
Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi Q15- When did this scene first appear?
Many of the small ornaments and accessories used were also on displayed. They really put in a lot of effort into this drama.
The sedan- I can only remember one scene where this sedan was used….too bad I didn’t see this or I would have sat in it. Reminds me of those marriage sedan of olden days. hehe!
Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi Q16- Who sat in this sedan?
And why am taking photo of this empty lot? Because according to Manager An, this was where all the production buses/ vehicles were parked. So all the costumes changes would be here and I believe they also ate here…^^
Market place- Besides the place where the young Suzini was most familiar with, young Dam Deok also frequently escaped here from the cold, friendless palace. I do wish they had actual stores selling things or even a coffeshop.
The tarven- Like I said, the place is really big I just didn’t have enough time to see everything…including this….would have been nice if they serve soju…preferably from the same type of bottle that Dam Deok drank from..hehe!
Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi Q17- What happened here?
Fight with Dae Jang Ro- Of course, this was a most important place, not just because it was a deciding turning point in the fight between Dam Deok and Hwa Cheon but also where Bae Yong Joon was hurt.
Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi Q18- Which part of BYJ was hurt? And if you don’t know the answer to this….
Finally…I really, really like this….there’s a big of majestic feel to it.
The Jeju filmset is rather big and it would take a while to tour the place, I reckon maybe at least 2 hours. But if you have not watched Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi, then it may not hold much meaning for the normal visitors. Maybe the authorities taking care of the place could add in additional interests like shows during the weekend or have the market place come alive during the weekend…this would really be very, very interesting…with people selling wares and food. Of course, I’m not saying there weren’t any such places but they weren’t very many and not very prominent. But you girls may want to check out the small stall selling the ‘Dragon’s candy’…..*wink!*
Also, take note that many of the rooms are actually quite dim. This is to give a authentic feel to the place as that era didn’t have electricity. But it does mean you should arm yourself with a good camera.
Sorry, this post is loaded with pictures….that’s why it has to be divided into 3 parts as there are lots of photos. My apologies to those who ahve slow internet access.
I will give the answers to the 18 questions (or what I know anyway) in my next part…but I maybe wrong in my answers or there may be more than one correct answers…so…I welcome participation from everyone.
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