The Great Queen Seondeok (2009) — Filming Locations & Guide

Story

Synopsis

A concise overview of the premise, tone, and dramatic setup.

"The Great Queen Seondeok" tells the life story of Queen Seondeok, the first queen of the Silla Dynasty in Korea. The drama depicts the intense power struggles between two formidable women as they vie for control of the Silla royal family.

Born as a twin, Deokman is hidden away due to a royal prophecy that threatens her lineage. She returns to Silla disguised as a man and joins the Hwarang led by Kim Yushin, facing various challenges. As she discovers her royal identity, Deokman engages in a fierce battle against the ambitious Mi-shil, a masterful antagonist portrayed with stunning charisma. The series explores themes of ambition, betrayal, and the heavy burdens of leadership, culminating in a tragic yet compelling narrative that highlights the loneliness of power.

Filming locations

Places connected to scenes, checked against source links before they appear publicly.

01
Mujangsan (Mt. Mujang)
무장산
Amgok-dong, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do경북 경주시 암곡동
Mujangsan is a filming location for the drama 'The Great Queen Seondeok'. The area is known for its beautiful scenery and hiking trails.
There is a sign for the filming location of Queen Seondeok between the lower parking lot and the upper parking lot.
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02
Mujangsa Temple Site
무장사지
Amgok-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
Mujangsa Temple Site is a historical site that appears in 'The Great Queen Seondeok', known for its three-story stone pagoda. / The Mujangsa Site is where a significant training scene took place in 'The Great Queen Seondeok', featuring Kim Yushin training Deokman with sandbags.
The Samcheongseoktap of Mujangsa Temple can be found by passing through that thicket over there.
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03
Mujangbong
무장봉
San 1-6 Amgok-dong → Gyeongju → Gyeongsangbuk-do경북 경주시 암곡동 산 1-6
Mujangbong is known for its vast fields of silver grass, making it a popular autumn destination. It has been recognized as a filming location for the drama 'The Great Queen Seondeok'.
This place was not originally a cluster of silver grass. It became more famous as it was known as a filming location for the drama 'Queen Seondeok' and the movie 'Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War.'
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04
Anapji
안압지
407 Bomun-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do경북 경주시 보문로 407
Anapji is a historical site where scenes from 'The Great Queen Seondeok' were filmed, including moments from Misil's childhood and the escape of Munno with baby Deokman.
I stopped by the filming location of Queen Seondeok, which is located on the way from Anapji in Gyeongju to Cheonmachong.
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Discovery

More to explore

Step beyond this drama — explore filming sites, food spots, and related titles across the catalog.

View all locations

Not available for this drama

Details

Production

Broadcast details, runtime, language, and key production credits.

Country

South Korea

Original language

Korean

Episode runtime

64 min

Spoken languages

Korean

Directors: Park Hong-kyun박홍균
Kim Keun-Hong
Writers: Kim Young-hyun
Sang-yeon Park박상연

Source: TMDB

Characters

Cast & characters

Key roles, performers, and character context for quick scanning.

Princess Deokman
Lee Yo-won이요원
Princess Deokman is a central character in "The Great Queen Seondeok," depicting her life as the first queen of the Korean people during the Silla Dynasty. She navigates the challenges of her royal lineage and destiny in a historical context.
young Princess Deokman
Nam Ji-hyun남지현
Young Princess Deokman is a pivotal character in "The Great Queen Seondeok," depicting her life as she navigates the challenges of being the first queen of the Korean people during the Silla Dynasty. Her journey is central to the series, highlighting her development and struggles leading to her eventual rise to power.
Bidam
Kim Nam-gil김남길
Lady Mishil
Go Hyun-jung고현정
Kim Yushin
Uhm Tae-woong엄태웅
young Kim Yushin
Lee Hyun-woo이현우
Princess Cheonmyeong
Park Ye-jin박예진
Young Princess Cheonmyeong
Shin Sae-kyeong신세경
Kim Chunchu
Yoo Seung-ho유승호
Young Mo
Qri큐리
Princess Boryang
Park Eun-bin박은빈
Seolwon
Jeon No-min전노민
young Bojong
Kwak Jung-wook곽정욱
General Gyebaek
Choi Won-young최원영
Ho-jong
Kim Jeong-hyeon김정현
Kim Yong-su
Park Jung-chul박정철

Source: TMDB

Actors

Lead actors

Lead performer biographies and notable credits.

Lee Yo-wonas Princess Deokman

이요원

1980-04-09 · Seongnam, Gyeonggi, South Korea

Lee Yo-won is a prominent South Korean actress, born on April 9, 1980. She gained widespread recognition for her role as Queen Seondeok in the hit period drama "Queen Seondeok," which aired in 2009. This performance solidified her status in the entertainment industry and showcased her ability to embody complex historical figures. Throughout her career, Lee has appeared in a variety of popular projects, including the critically acclaimed film "Take Care of My Cat" in 2001, the nostalgic drama "Fashion 70's" in 2005, and the medical series "Surgeon Bong Dal-hee" in 2007. Additionally, she starred in the fantasy drama "49 Days" in 2011, further demonstrating her versatility as an actress. With a career spanning over two decades, Lee Yo-won continues to captivate audiences with her talent and dedication to her craft.

Nam Ji-hyunas young Princess Deokman

남지현

1995-09-17 · Incheon, South Korea

Nam Ji-hyun is a talented South Korean actress born on September 17, 1995. She began her career at a young age, entering the industry as a child actress in the 2004 series Say You Love Me. Over the years, she has developed a remarkable portfolio, gaining recognition for her performances in notable dramas such as Queen Seondeok, Shopping King Louis, and Suspicious Partner. Her breakout role came in 2009 with Queen Seondeok, followed by significant parts in East of Eden, Will It Snow for Christmas?, and Angel Eyes. Nam's transition to leading roles was solidified in 2016 when she starred in the romantic-comedy Shopaholic Louis. She continued to capture audiences with her role in the legal drama Suspicious Partner in 2017, which achieved high ratings in the coveted 20-49 demographic. In 2018, Nam starred alongside EXO's D.O in 100 Days My Prince, which became one of the highest-rated dramas in cable television history. More recently, she showcased her versatility in the fantasy mystery thriller 365: Repeat the Year in 2020. With her growing repertoire, Nam Ji-hyun continues to be a beloved figure in the Korean entertainment industry, with upcoming projects like Good Partner and To My Beloved Thief.

Kim Nam-gilas Bidam

김남길

1980-03-13 · Seoul, South Korea

Kim Nam-gil is a prominent South Korean actor, producer, singer, and philanthropist, born on March 13, 1980. He began his acting career after initially facing setbacks in the talent auditions of major broadcasting agencies. Kim finally debuted as an actor through MBC's talent program in 2004, quickly gaining recognition for his compelling performances. His breakthrough role came in 2009 when he portrayed Bidam, a complex politician in the historical drama "Queen Seondeok." This performance solidified his status in the industry and led to significant roles in various popular projects, including the period drama "Portrait of a Beauty" (2008), the adventure film "The Pirates" (2014), and the disaster blockbuster "Pandora" (2016). In addition to his acting prowess, Kim Nam-gil is known for balancing commercial successes with artistic endeavors, which has earned him acclaim and a place among Korea's most influential stars. Beyond his work in entertainment, Kim is deeply committed to philanthropy. He founded Gilstory, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving cultural heritage and promoting the arts, and in 2021, he expanded his influence in the industry by launching Gilstory ENT, a comprehensive entertainment company. Kim's dedication to both his craft and social causes continues to inspire his fans and peers alike.

Go Hyun-jungas Lady Mishil

고현정

1971-03-02 · Hwasun, South Jeolla, South Korea

Go Hyun-jung is a prominent South Korean actress born on March 2, 1971. She first captured public attention as a runner-up in the Miss Korea pageant in 1989, which served as her gateway into the entertainment industry. Her breakthrough role came with the critically acclaimed drama "Sandglass" in 1995, which is regarded as one of the highest-rated series in Korean television history. Following her marriage to chaebol Chung Yong-jin in 1995, Go stepped away from acting, entering a period of retirement. However, after her divorce in 2003, she made a triumphant return to the screen. Go quickly regained her status as a leading figure in the industry, becoming the highest-paid actress on television. Her notable works post-comeback include the hit series "Queen Seondeok" and "Big Thing," both of which solidified her position as a top star in Korea once again.

Uhm Tae-woongas Kim Yushin

엄태웅

1974-04-05 · Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea

Uhm Tae-woong is a prominent South Korean actor known for his versatility and compelling performances. He made his acting debut in 1998 with a minor role in the film "The Great Ambition." Initially, Uhm faced challenges in establishing his own identity in the industry, often overshadowed by his sister, the acclaimed singer-actress Uhm Jung-hwa. However, his career began to gain momentum after he portrayed a memorable villain in the romantic comedy "Sassy Girl Chun-hyang," leading to increased recognition. In 2005, Uhm achieved a significant breakthrough with his role in the critically acclaimed series "Resurrection," which solidified his status as a leading actor. He continued to captivate audiences with his performances in various notable works, including "Lucifer" in 2007, "Forever the Moment" (2008), "Chaw" (2009), "Cyrano Agency" (2010), "Architecture 101" (2012), and "Man from the Equator" (2012). Uhm Tae-woong’s impressive range and dedication to his craft have made him a respected figure in the South Korean entertainment industry.

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