Many of us are dreaming of picturesque destinations and itching for adventure during this time, and dramas offer a visual escape through stunning international filming locations. Regardless of the genre, global sounds and sights lend themselves to create magic and add something to a drama’s story or characters.

Below is a list of dramas that allow you to live vicariously as you visit places around the world!

Crash Landing On You is a 2019 drama starring Son Yejin and Hyunbin that brings a South Korean heiress into the life of a North Korean military captain. Despite the divide, the two fall in love after being thrown into various situations of life and death, with trust and respect accumulating over their time spent together.

The drama was mostly filmed in South Korea, but the two characters encounter each other in Switzerland, a poignant moment in Yoon Seri’s life as she comes across Ri Jeonghyeok taking a trip with his betrothed. One of the most significant scenes in the drama is shot at Lake Brienz, which imparts the sentiment of the series and all the emotions tied to its characters. Moreover, Switzerland becomes the backdrop of emotional exploration, symbolizing a sense of liberation, and of leaving behind the weight of familial expectations and reality.

Vagabond is a 2019 drama starring Lee Seunggi and Bae Suzy, unexpectedly bringing a stuntman and National Intelligence Service spy together as they investigate and uncover corruption. After a plane crash takes the life of his nephew, Cha Dalgun begins to suspect foul play and becomes increasingly doubtful as he travels to Morocco where his life begins to entangle with Go Haeri.

Instead of being shot in Morocco’s famed cities like Marrakesh or Casablanca, the premiere and second episode of the series take audiences to Tangier, a coastal city known as the gateway between Africa and Europe with idyllic, pristine white homes. One of the most, if not the most action packed chase scenes in Vagabond is captured over the rooftops and market of Tangier, representing Cha Dalgun’s desperation for knowing the truth. 

Memories of the Alhambra is a 2018 drama starring Park Shinhye and Hyunbin following Yoo Jinwoo, a successful tech CEO to Granada, Spain where he looks for a genius game maker, Jung Seojoo (Park Chanyeol)  who has suddenly disappeared. The young game developer creates an augmented virtual reality that is revolutionary, with the potential to make millions. Not wanting to lose out on an incredible investment, Yoo Jinwoo tries to persuade Seojoo’s older sister, Jung Heejoo, who has power of attorney, to sell the rights to Seojoo’s creation. 

Unlike most dramas that briefly show a single visit abroad, Memories of the Alhambra is heavily filmed on location in Spain, with only brief episodes set in Korea. This being the case, the AR elements are specific to Granada and depict events and characters of the Reconquista in the year 1492 where a medieval world is recreated and reimagined. Historically, Granada is a hybrid of cultures and influences, and this is evident within the series as it centers around the famous and ancient Alhambra Palace, becoming a site where the present and past collide.

Goblin is a 2016 drama starring Gong Yoo, Kim Goeun, Lee Dongwook, and Yoo Inna, bringing fantasy to life as Kim Shin, a general of the Goryeo dynasty is cursed as an immortal goblin as he awaits the arrival of his destined bride to end his immortality. No one could have guessed that the ghost-seeing high school girl, Ji Euntak, who has lived a tragic life would be the one to summon the goblin and his sword. 

The highly popular series whisks audiences to Quebec City located in Quebec, Canada where Kim Shin and Ji Euntak are allowed a romantic escape from their lives and the supernatural in South Korea. The drama focuses on Old Quebec, which captures Canada’s history and contains some of the country’s oldest and most enchanting sites, such as the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac which becomes the visual centerpiece throughout Kim Shin and Euntak’s visit, and hosts the drama’s finale.

Encounter is a 2018 drama starring Song Hyekyo and Park Bogum about a reversed Cinderella story as the daughter of a politician finds her life ignited by an ordinary man who finds solace in simplistic things. After receiving Donghwa Hotel as alimony for her divorce, Cha Soohyun sets out on a business trip to Cuba where she encounters free spirited Kim Jinhyeok, who has a passion for photography. 

As a slow burn melodrama, a lot of the romance and magic is created in Cuba and fizzles out once Soohyun and Jinhyeok are back in Seoul. The city of Havana transforms into a spellbinding destination for two people living in different worlds as they find love and beauty hand in hand.

Black Knight is a 2017 drama starring Kim Raewon and Shin Sekyung, a reincarnation story between two lovers with a dark curse and destined fates. Jung Haera is a travel agent who must fly out to Slovenia on behalf of her company, though she soon stumbles upon Moon Sooho, a CEO with a mass fortune and large estate who calls himself her ‘black knight.’ Fairytale components are envisioned as first loves, immortality, and passion are all thrown into the mix. 

With a whopping total of thirteen locations filmed across Slovenia, the most iconic is Predjama Castle built into the mouth of a cave, enthralling people with its gothic, yet romantic appearance and encompassing the drama’s tale of tragic, but beautiful love. 

K-Dramas set or filmed abroad build on or create the essence of a drama’s story while allowing us to visit scenic sites through the screen, satisfying any wanderlusting. What are some of your favorite K-Drama destinations?