PSA: Pinoys Can Now Enter South Korea Visa-Free in Three Destinations

Make your travel plans to South Korea come true.
by Ina Louise Manto | March 08, 2023

From free tickets to Hong Kong to cherry blossom season in Japan – 2023 seems like the year for international travel for Pinoys. This also includes finally going on the much-awaited K-pop and K-drama pilgrimage in South Korea. But in case you missed it, getting slots for the visa has been tougher recently. Don’t lose hope though, as another visa-free entry destination in SK was announced last week. Know more about it:

Entry via Muan International Airport

On a Facebook post last week, the Korea Tourism Organization Manila shared an exciting post for Pinoy travelers.

“VISA-FREE travel to Korea is possible via 3 airports: Yangyang International Airport in Gangwon Province, Jeju Island, and now Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do,” the post stated.

The visa-free program via Muan starts on March 15, 2023.

Along with the reopening of South Korea to tourists in June 2022 came the resumption of visa-free entry via Jeju Island, which has been an ongoing program for years. Another destination was also added in May 2023, via Yangyang International Airport in Gangwon Province.

Visa-free entry via Muan International Airport will start on March 15, 2023.

Some iconic K-drama filming locations in Jeollanam-do

Here are some K-drama filming locations you can visit in the province of Jeollanam-do or Jeolla:

Mokpo Modern History Museum

Location: 135 Namnong-ro, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea

In case you fell in love with IU’s charms when she played Jang Man-wol in Hotel del Luna (2019), you’ll find this museum familiar. Mokpo Modern History Museum’s façade was used as the exterior of the iconic hotel that houses dead souls. In real life, you can learn about Mokpo’s history during the Japanese occupation here.

Saseongnam Hermitage

Location: 303 Saseongnam-gil, Muncheok-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea

Where you’ve seen this location: The King: Eternal Monarch (2020); Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)

Nestled on the foothill of Jirisan or Jiri Mountain, Saseongnam Hermitage’s history dates back to as early as 544 CE, during the rule of King Seong of Baekje. The hermitage gives honor to Four High Priests Yongi Chosa, Chinkak Seonsa, Wonhyo Daesa, and Toseon Kuksa, that worked, lived, and studied in this landmark.

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