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Soompi & Viki Staff Talk: K-Dramas To Inspire Your Summer Vacation
Summer is in full swing, and it’s the perfect time to take a break and enjoy a vacation! For this edition of the Soompi & Viki Staff Talk series, some of our staff members discuss our favorite dramas that inspire us to embark on a summer getaway.
Read more about our picks below!
Warning: minor spoilers ahead
Sala: “Sh**ting Stars“
Jeju Island is definitely the summer destination to visit in Korea, and without trying to give big spoilers for “Sh**ting Stars,” the final episode takes you on a heart-fluttering vacation to experience the breathtaking views of the island along with romance for good measure. “Sh**ting Stars” is a rom-com about the entertainment industry and features the romance between Oh Han Byul (Lee Sung Kyung), the head of the PR team at Star Force Entertainment, and the A-list star Gong Tae Sung (Kim Young Dae). Due to the nature of Gong Tae Sung’s career, he and Oh Han Byul have a difficult time trying to go on a vacation together. Nevertheless, they are adamant and head to Jeju Island, only to somehow run into literally everyone they know despite trying desperately to avoid getting caught by the public by visiting “hidden” tourist spots. The episode is filled with sweet moments from the couple amidst the scenic backdrop of the beautiful beaches and blooming flowers on Jeju Island that makes you want to immediately pack your bags. But the best part of the vacation is when Gong Tae Sung invites all their friends for dinner together, showing that the real highlight of any vacation is to spend time together with loved ones.
Watch “Sh**ting Stars” below:
JJin: “Summer Strike”
For those who need a major break and want some time to just do nothing for summer vacation, “Summer Strike” is a drama that provides perfect inspiration. Lee Yeo Reum (Seolhyun) is an ordinary young woman who is burnt out on life and decides to quit her job and relocate to a small seaside town. There, she meets An Dae Beom (Im Siwan), a shy librarian who has closed the door to his heart due to a tragic accident in the past. In this small town Angok, they try their best to “do nothing” and slowly attain peace of mind and happiness. The drama shows that it doesn’t always take an extravagant trip far away to enjoy a nice summer vacation, and sometimes a quiet trip to a small town is the best way to refresh and heal your heart.
Watch “Summer Strike” below:
Ginny: “Boys Over Flowers”
The classic rom-com “Boys Over Flowers” is a drama that can also provide great inspiration for your summer vacation! In this series, the F4, along with Geum Jan Di (Ku Hye Sun) and Chu Ga Eul (Kim So Eun), embark on a trip to New Caledonia. It is during this vacation that Gu Jun Pyo (Lee Min Ho) and Geum Jan Di experience a romantic tour on the islands, allowing them to deepen their feelings for each other. Through the lovely moments in episode 5 of the drama, you’ll indirectly experience their love story while simultaneously immersing yourself in the breathtaking ocean views, offering abundant inspiration for your own summer getaway!
Watch “Boys Over Flowers” below:
Seyeon: “Melo Is My Nature”
In episode 14 of my favorite drama “Melo Is My Nature,” Im Jin Joo (Chun Woo Hee), Son Beom Soo (Ahn Jae Hong), Hwang Han Joo (Han Ji Eun), and Chu Jae Hoon (Gong Myung) get tired working on their new drama and decide to go on a spontaneous trip saying, “What you were looking for during your travels, you end up finding at home.” Unlike their fancy plan at the beginning, they end up going to Wolmido which is the closest beach from Seoul. Although they do not go far, they still have so much fun eating good food, enjoying the ocean, and playing games together, recharging and strengthening their relationships with each other. Besides this cute getaway that will inspire you to escape your everyday life this summer, ”Melo Is My Nature” is an inspiring drama full of friendships, romance, and so much more.
Watch “Melo Is My Nature” below:
Winnie: “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God“
“Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” starring Gong Yoo, Kim Go Eun, and Lee Dong Wook, has so many iconic scenes filmed in Korea and outside of the country that continuously attract K-Drama fans to visit. Notably, there is the scene where Ji Eun Tak (Kim Go Eun) first summons Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) that was filmed in Gangwon Province, and the filming location has now become a major photo spot for visitors. In addition, the beautiful scenery of Quebec, Canada is featured quite prominently in the drama. Although the drama is mostly set in winter, the stunning cinematography provides so much inspiration for a getaway during any season!
Heejo: “Something in the Rain”
“Something in the Rain” is about Yoon Jin Ah (Son Ye Jin) and Seo Joon Hee (Jung Hae In), who is the younger brother of Jin Ah’s best friend. They have known each other since they were young, but as adults, they fall in love and struggle with backlash over their age gap and other aspects of their relationship. The drama includes enthralling scenes set against the backdrop of the romantic Jeju Island. Especially during the climactic episodes, the scenes are sure to stoke the fires of your summer vacation fantasies. It’s the perfect blend of heart-tugging romance and sun-soaked escapism!
Watch “Something in the Rain” below:
Somni: “It’s Okay, That’s Love“
We’re at the halfway point of the year, which is a perfect time for a summer getaway! “It’s Okay, That’s Love” is one of my favorite K-dramas that is full of summer vibes and inspires me to travel. In episode 8, Jang Jae Yeol (Jo In Sung) and Ji Hae Soo (Gong Hyo Jin) go on a trip to Okinawa in Japan. Like many typical couples, Jae Yeol and Hae Soo get into a quarrel over a hotel room upon their arrival in Okinawa. Despite a bumpy start, the two make happy and joyful memories together as they enjoy the food, tradition, culture, and recreational activities in Okinawa to the fullest. The episode also features various tourist attractions that you can visit in Okinawa such as American Village, RyuKyu Village, and Cape Manzamo. Their trip definitely made me want to travel to Okinawa, too!
Watch “It’s Okay, That’s Love” below:
Yeon: “Discovery of Love”
“Discovery of Love” is the epitome of summer vibes, which has me binge-watching this drama every year around this season. The drama tells the realistic love story of Han Yeo Reum (Jung Yu Mi) and Kang Tae Ha (Eric), an ex-couple that ends up working together. Yeo Reum and Tae Ha first meet on a train on their way to Jinju, and they end up traveling together. Just like that, their relationship begins on a summer trip, and five years later, they break up at the train station when traveling to Jinju, exactly like how their relationship started. Their romance that begins during a vacation is what many people dream of, and it inspires me to maybe go on a solo vacation of my own this summer!
Watch “Discovery of Love” below:
Which of your favorite K-dramas inspires you to embark on a summer vacation? Let us know in the comments below!
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