Rebuilding Jang Bogo’s Sea as a Film Set: Wando Cheonghae Port Film Set

The Wooden Port on the Sosepo Coast Left Behind by the 50-Episode in 2004

Wando Cheonghae Port Film Set is a coastal open set created for the KBS2 special television drama based on Choi In-ho's historical novel <Haesin>. <Haesin> aired as a 50-episode series for six months, from November 2004 to May 2005, with a production budget of approximately 15 billion won.

The film set was built as the setting for a drama about the life of Jang Bogo, a maritime power figure of Unified Silla. It was later used as a filming location for more than 40 productions, including <Dae Jo-yeong>, <Jumong>, <The Legend>, <The Great King Sejong>, <Chuno>, and the films <The Admiral: Roaring Currents> and <The Pirates>. The reason it is suitable for period-drama harbor scenes can be seen in its wooden pier, guesthouse, and military-camp-style sets.

The Distance Between the Wando Sea Where Jang Bogo Established Cheonghaejin in 828 and the Film Set

The historical background of this film set is Cheonghaejin, established on Wando by Jang Bogo in 828, the third year of the reign of King Heungdeok of Unified Silla. Jang Bogo proposed establishing a maritime base to respond to pirate attacks and the practice of trading people as slaves, and Wando was strategically located for guarding the sea route linking Silla, Tang China, and Japan.

The set is not the archaeological site itself, but a drama setting recreating Jang Bogo and Cheonghaejin. Therefore, visitors who want to see archaeological remains should visit the Jangdo Cheonghaejin Historic Site separately; here, the appropriate way to explore is to view the Cheonghae Port, traditional market street, and military-camp sets built to follow the actual coastline, along with traces of drama production.

From Admission at 08:00 to Departure at 17:00 or 19:00: Check Seasonal Closing Times

According to Wando County cultural-tourism information, opening hours are 08:00–19:00 in summer and 08:00–17:00 in winter, and the site is open year-round. However, some other tourism information lists the winter closing time as 17:30. In winter or on days when filming is scheduled, it is safest to confirm opening and closing times by calling the site at 061-555-4500 before setting out.

Individual admission fees are 5,000 won for adults, 3,000 won for youths, and 2,000 won for children. Groups of 30 or more pay 4,000 won for adults, 2,000 won for youths, and 1,000 won for children. Patriots and veterans pay 3,000 won, while visitors with mild disabilities and seniors eligible for preferential treatment pay 4,000 won. Visitors with severe disabilities and Wando County residents enter free of charge.

• Inquiries: 061-555-4500
• Official website: https://www.wandoro.co.kr/
• Plan for about 1 hour for viewing; if you include photography and traditional-play activities, allowing about 90 minutes is advisable.

1161-8 Cheonghaejinseoro: From Wando Public Bus Terminal to Sosepo Bus Stop

The road-name address is 1161-8 Cheonghaejinseoro, Wando-eup, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, and some sources also list the lot addresses as 1089-3 or 1022-9, Daesin-ri, Wando-eup. Entering either the road-name address or “Wando Cheonghae Port Film Set” into a navigation system will help avoid confusion.

By public transportation, take a bus bound for Wando–Namchang from Wando Public Bus Terminal and get off at Sosepo Bus Stop. Route names may vary depending on the service, such as Wanseo or Namseo, so confirm the day's timetable and whether the bus passes through Sosepo by calling the terminal at 061-552-1500. The film set has a free parking lot, registered in public tourism data as having space for approximately 100 vehicles.

A One-Hour Route Viewing the Cheonghae Port, Traditional Market Street, and Military Camp Sets in One Direction

The highlight of the visit is the port set connected to the sea. Public information mentions facilities such as a pier, boats, a guesthouse, and military barracks, and introduces the layout as a recreation of Cheonghaejin headquarters, Cheonghae Port, a traditional market street, Deokjin Port, and Yangju Port. The areas open to viewing inside the buildings and the operation of activities may vary depending on filming and event schedules.

Traditional activities that have been offered include tuho, jegichagi, hoop rolling, and seesawing. Bicycles, inline skates, and kickboards are prohibited inside the film set, as are drinking, smoking, and cooking. On wooden stairs and sloped sections, children and older visitors should move at a reduced pace.

Accessible Parking Is Available, but Steep Slopes Limit Mobility

A dedicated accessible parking lot and accessible restroom are available, and on-site Wi-Fi has also been installed. However, wheelchair and stroller rental services are not available, and Wando County information states that the steep slopes make wheelchair use inconvenient.

Visitors using strollers or wheelchairs should focus their visit on the level areas near the parking lot and assess the sections containing wooden decks, stairs, and ramps together with a companion. Permanent foreign-language interpretation and rental equipment are not mentioned in the official information, so visitors who need language assistance or group guidance should inquire at 061-555-4500 before visiting.

6.6 km to Wando Tower: A Half-Day Combining Jang Bogo Memorial Hall and the Arboretum

Rural experiential-tourism route information lists the distance from Wando Arboretum to Wando Cheonghae Port Film Set as 13 km and from the film set to Wando Tower as 6.6 km. By car, it is easy to create an itinerary combining Jang Bogo Memorial Hall, Wando Tower, and Wando Arboretum. However, buses on the island may not run frequently, so visitors relying solely on public transportation should check their return service first.

Those focusing on Jang Bogo's historical reality may find it easiest to visit Jang Bogo Memorial Hall and the Jangdo Cheonghaejin Historic Site first, then compare the harbor scenery created by the drama at the film set in the afternoon. Conversely, travelers expecting modern experiential facilities rather than historically authenticated exhibits may find the site's focus on outdoor wooden sets less suitable.