From the 2007 ‘Jumong’ Set to a Site Slated for Demolition: What to Know Before Visiting Naju Image Theme Park

Hanseong of ‘Jumong,’ Built on About 42,000 Pyeong Along the Yeongsangang River in 2007

The starting point of the Naju Image Theme Park was the MBC historical drama ‘Jumong,’ which aired from May 2006 to March 2007. According to a report by the Naju Newspaper, the set was built in 2007 on a site of about 42,000 pyeong along the Yeongsangang River in Singok-ri, Gongsan-myeon, at a cost of approximately 8 billion won. Around 100 palace and residential buildings were constructed as semi-permanent structures.

After the drama ended, the site was remodeled and opened as the ‘Naju Image Theme Park’ in April 2009. It was also used as a filming location for ‘The Kingdom of the Winds,’ ‘The Four Guardian Gods of the Great King,’ ‘Yi San,’ ‘Empress Cheonchu,’ and the film ‘A Frozen Flower.’ Public tourism data lists its area as 140,116㎡ and its capacity as 1,000 people.

Current Status of 450 Deogeum-ro: Checking Reports of Demolition Plans and Whether It Is Open

This site should not be assessed on the assumption that it operates long-term like a typical permanent theme park. In August 2023, the Naju Newspaper reported plans for the complete demolition of the Naju Image Theme Park in connection with the construction site for the Namdo Righteous Army History Museum.

Therefore, rather than setting out based only on the operating hours and fees listed in older guides, call the main number, 061-335-7008, on the day of your visit or the previous day to ask first about whether the site is open, which areas can be entered, closing days, and whether activities are operating. The official information address is https://www.naju.go.kr/themepark, but it is safer to check the connection status and latest notices by phone as well.

Existing Information: 09:00–18:00 from April to October and 09:00–17:00 from November to March

The usage information still found in private tourism guides lists hours of 09:00–18:00 from April through October and 09:00–17:00 from November through March. The regular closing day is every Monday except public holidays. The same guide lists admission fees of 4,000 won for adults, 3,000 won for teenagers, and 2,000 won for children.

However, other tourism guides retain different historical prices, such as 2,000 won for individual adults, so the currently applicable fees cannot be confirmed. Treat the 4,000-won admission fee mentioned in this article only as a reference, and call the main number before visiting to check the adult, teenager, and child rates and discount criteria.

• Hours in existing information: 09:00–18:00 from April to October, 09:00–17:00 from November to March
• Closing day in existing information: Every Monday, except public holidays
• Admission fees in existing information: Adults 4,000 won · Teenagers 3,000 won · Children 2,000 won

A 140,116㎡ Route with Connected Gate and Palace Sets

Public tourism data gives the area as 140,116㎡, while Jeonnam Tourism Information describes it as covering 45,000 pyeong. Because fortress walls, watchtowers, palace sets, and residential sets are gathered in one location, it is better to allow about 1.5 to 2 hours, including sloping paths and outdoor walking, rather than viewing only the area near the ticket booth.

As an outdoor set, the site is directly exposed to sunlight and humidity in summer and wind in winter. Since seasonal closing times have been listed as 17:00 or 18:00, visitors planning to take photographs or follow the entire route should also ask separately about the final admission time and arrive in the morning or early afternoon.

450 Deogeum-ro, Gongsan-myeon: A Riverside Location Along the Yeongsangang River Convenient for Car Visits

The street address is 450 Deogeum-ro, Gongsan-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, and the lot-based address is San 2, Singok-ri, Gongsan-myeon. Because the provided coordinates and those in the public tourism data differ slightly, it is better to enter ‘Naju Image Theme Park’ or ‘450 Deogeum-ro, Gongsan-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do’ into your navigation system.

Public tourism data records parking for 800 vehicles, making access by passenger car relatively convenient. However, the parking lot and access route may change depending on demolition, construction, or events. Groups traveling by large bus or vehicles used by wheelchair passengers should call 061-335-7008 before departure to ask about available parking areas and the condition of ramps.

Check the Day’s Operating Programs Before Costume and Archery Activities

Jeonnam Tourism Information and older tourism guides introduce exhibitions on Goguryeo history and culture, traditional costumes, archery, traditional workshops, lodging experiences, and the country’s only indoor set. However, these programs are not necessarily offered regularly, and the facilities may currently have changed.

Especially when visiting with children, call to check four things: whether activities are available that day, whether registration is on site, whether there is an additional fee, and whether the indoor set is actually open. The outdoor fortress walls and set buildings may include stairs and unpaved sections, so visitors using strollers or wheelchairs should ask specifically which areas are accessible.

A Day Combining the Bannam Ancient Tombs and National Naju Museum within About 9 km

If on-site operations are confirmed, it is natural to combine the visit with nearby ancient historical sites. Tourism distance information lists the National Naju Museum at about 9 km away and the Bannam Ancient Tombs at about 9.1 km. On the same day, visitors can compare the Goguryeo imagery recreated by the set with the actual Mahan burial-mound culture of the Yeongsangang River basin.

The Naju Bokam-ri Tomb Exhibition Hall is listed as about 5.5 km away, and the Korea Natural Dyeing Museum as about 5.9 km away. However, distances may vary depending on the starting point and road chosen, so driving times should be recalculated with the navigation system on the day. The fields for public transportation station names, exits, and walking times from each stop have been left blank because reliable, up-to-date information could not be confirmed.