Written by: Mariya Shaikh, Pune, Maharashtra

Edited by: Pooja Vishwanathan, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh

Those night-lit amusement park K-drama moments that live rent-free in your mind leave you with mixed emotions. Next time you fly to South Korea, make sure to visit these parks to experience your own iconic K-drama moment.

As children, you must have visited amusement parks or water parks to unwind or spend time with your loved ones. Those were the days when we could all relax and have fun without feeling stressed out. But what if I told you that you could have the same experience and enjoy identical events with your level and oomph factor increased? You heard it right. South Korea has some incredible things to offer, one of which is its out-of-this-world amusement parks, which will captivate you and fill your heart’s notebook with numerous memories and lifelong experiences that you can revisit and recall in the years to come. 

Put your shoes on and grab your passport if you’re looking for an unforgettable journey. This hub will not only offer you a unique slice of life adventure but will also make your mind dance like K-Pop and your heart skip a beat like K-dramas. You might even run into your dream crush, just like it happens in drama land. So, what are you waiting for? Visit these five amusement parks and live your dream life by savoring what the land of the morning calm has to offer. 

LOTTE WORLD 롯데월드 

Located in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, Lotte World is one of the most famous theme parks. It is divided into an indoor Adventure theme park and a Magic Island outdoor theme park and is mainly known for being home to the world’s largest indoor theme park. Designed by Cirque du Soleil (an entertainment group), the daily parades are one of the must-sees when visiting the place. It is open from 09.30 to 22:00 every day of the year, with decent charges but to avail yourself of the best, you can also opt for the universal pass, which is quite affordable.

The park is especially known for its thrill rides, including Atlantis, Gyro Spin, and Gyro Drop for kids, and people who prefer less bumpy rides can relax on the carousel and other calmer attractions. Apart from the rides, it also has the Lotte World Folk Museum, which is popular among international tourists. The park has also been widely used for a variety of K-dramas and reality shows like King of the Land, Taxi Driver, and Business Proposal.

EVERLAND 에버랜드

Everland, located in Yongjin, is South Korea’s largest theme park. It is often considered the Disney World of Korea. Along with its main attractions, Everland also includes a zoo and water park known as Caribbean Bay. It is open from 10:00 to 23:00 and has loads of marvelous rides and activities for you to enjoy your whole day. Among the most popular attractions at Everland are T Express, one of the world’s fastest wooden rollercoasters; Panda World with cute pandas (Fu Bao, which recently went viral for its cute visuals); and Lost Valley, where you can have an up-close and in-person interaction with animals. 

WOLMI THEME PARK 월미테마파크

Wolmido Island houses the Wolmi theme park, which is the largest theme park in Incheon. The major K-drama hit Descendants of the Sun was filmed at this location. It is open from 10:00 to 22:00 and has a variety of rides for you to have fun on, like the two-story Viking ship, the 15-meter-high Ferris Wheel, and more. It also houses a large indoor children’s playground, which includes water activity facilities, a 4D room, etc. It is a perfect spot for people of all ages and groups.

SEOUL LAND 서울랜드

It is located in Gyeonggi-do province, in Gwancheon city. It has five themed areas: World Plaza, mainly for children; Adventure Land, which includes a range of challenging activities like shooting and flume rides, etc.; Fantasy Land; Tomorrow Land, which has one of the most popular rides at Seoul Land, Sky X; and Samchulli Hill, where you can experience and feel the thrill of the dokkaebi / top spin ride. The nice thing about this park is that since most people go to Lotte World and Everland, it doesn’t get as crowded. There’s a good mix of rides with something for everyone.

GYEONGJU WORLD 경주월드 

Gyeongju World, in the historical city of Gyeongju, is the biggest theme park in the southern Korean region. It is open 10:00–08:00 and is best known for its thrill rides like Draken and Krak steel roller coasters, which bring you on a 90-degree dive to a head-spinning 360-degree rotating ride. The park has also made appearances in popular TV shows like Running Man. It operates as a water park in summer and a large-scale snow park in winter. It also has a Wizard Garden with a wide variety of children’s rides. 

You’re probably thinking, “I wish I were in South Korea right now, just like me,” right? It is neither a typical country nor a fantasy paradise like Hollywood, but rather a location that provides limitless opportunities to pursue your ideas and step beyond your comfort zone, much like these masterfully executed amusement parks. Whether it’s the world-famous Lotte World or the nation’s largest theme park, Everland, these places have your back and will fully guarantee your passport and money. So, what are you waiting for? Suit up and get ready for a never-before-seen adventure at your favorite spot.

Let us know in the comment section below which park is on your bucket list and what inspires you to visit it!