`IRIS` a boon for tourism

This is the 59th in a series of articles highlighting tourism spots in Seoul. The guide for planning weekend trips in the capital city will help readers rediscover Seoul. - Ed.



By Annabel Lee



On Nov. 29 the traffic in Gwanghwamun was blocked from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the filming of the mega smash-hit KBS drama "IRIS."

The scene being shot on this day was shocking to some passersby. It involved gunfights and spectacular car crashes.

It marked the first time that Gwanghwamun had been blocked-off for the making of a movie or drama.

To the delight of spectators, all actors and actresses - including stars Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-hee, Kim So-yeon and Kim Seung-woo - appeared at the shooting.

"IRIS," a blockbuster spy action drama, is a story of betrayal and romance involving the spies of the NSS - Korea`s intelligence and security agency. The story is based on a struggle against IRIS, an unknown organization, during a time of subtle but measurable tension between the two Koreas.



This particular scene depicted IRIS terrorists attempting to detonate an atomic bomb using a Seoul City tour bus in Gwanghwamun (a la "24," the hit U.S. TV series). The NSS agents Kim Hyun-joon (Lee Byung-hun) and Choi Seung-hee (Kim Tae-hee) and North Korean spy Kim Sun-hwa (Kim So-yeon) try to prevent the explosion.

As you would expect, a lot of preparation goes into each "IRIS" shoot. In this case, set preparation began at 3 a.m. Eighty vehicles and 4,000 bullets were procured. More than 150 extras played SWAT teams. Two vehicles were completely destroyed and several others were heavily damaged.

Although some morning rain added difficulty to the shoot, the scene was successfully finished.

The scene was aired over two episodes - on Dec. 3 and Dec. 9.



Exported to 16 countries

"IRIS" has been shot in several countries around the world, including Japan, China and even far-away Hungary.

It seems anywhere "IRIS" is shot becomes an instant tourist attraction. Travel agencies have been flooded with inquiries about Akita, Japan, which became well-known for romantic scenes between Lee and Kim.

The hype has even reached presidential proportions.

When Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom visited Korea in December, he reportedly invited actor Byung-hun to dinner in appreciation for an increase of tourists to Hungary thanks to the drama.

For the blockbuster, six production companies have provided direct investment and Korea Export Insurance Corporation put up 4 billion won ($3.5 million). Moreover, 29 businesses have sponsored the shooting of the drama and the budget has totaled more than 20 billion won.

Sixteen countries including China and Japan have already signed deals to air "IRIS."



Other locations of `IRIS` in Seoul

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Seonyudo Park



Hyunjoon (Lee Byung-hun) talks to Moksori (Kim Kap-soo) on the phone.



Seonyudo Park, located in Yanghwa-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, is reputedly a location where Taoists stayed. Once used as a water treatment plant for Seoul residents, the park was remodeled as an eco-park with its water treatment facilities still preserved. Water flows along the courses of the treatment facilities and there are trees and flowers on the ground.

In a scene from "IRIS," Hyun-joon talks to Moksori on a public phone in this park. Moksori, who knows the identity of IRIS, is later found to be a colleague of Hyun-joon`s father and is then killed by IRIS.



l Getting there

Exit 8, Hapjeong Station, Subway Line No. 2, Get on the green bus No. 5712 and get off at the entrance of Seonyudo Park. Operation hours are 6 a.m. to midnight.

For more information, call (02) 3780-0590 or go to http://hangang.seoul.go.kr



Cheonggyecheon

Lawmaker Cho Myung-ho is saved from sniper.



There is a scene in an early episode of "IRIS" where Cho Myung-ho, a presidential candidate, is saved from a sniper near Gwangtonggyo in Cheonggyecheon.

Getting there:

From Exit 1, Seoggye Station, Subway Line No. 1, get on Seongbuk microbus No. 14 for 10 minutes.

For more information, call (02) 2289-4001 or go to http://dreamforest.seoul.go.kr



North Seoul Dream Forest

Hyun-joon secretly meets the president .

Among the places that have spurred the question, "Where is that?" is the observatory of North Seoul Dream Forest.

Dream Forest, which opened on Oct. 17, is in Gangbuk-gu. It provides a pleasant walking trail surrounded by Opae Mountain and Byeoko Mountain.

The observatory is one of the locations of "IRIS." When you get to the entrance, a monorail brings you to the observatory. As you ascend the stairs, there is a cafe and three observatories. You can see most of Gangbuk-gu, Sanggye-dong and even beyond Jangwi-dong.



Noeul Park

Agents of the two Koreas meet secretly.



Noeul Park is part of World Cup Park, in Sangam-dong. Korea-Japan World Cup games were held here in 2002. It opened on Oct. 4, 2005 and its name (Sunset) was given because it apparently provides the most beautiful sunset in Seoul.

In a scene of "IRIS," Deputy Director General Baeksan of the NSS secretly meets his North Korean counterpart in this park. Walking along the wooden fence, you can enjoy the whole view of Seoul.

The sunset viewed from Noeul Park is beautiful beyond your imagination.



l Getting there

From exit No 1. World Cup Stadium Station, Subway Line No. 6, use the shuttle bus next to Mapo Farmer`s Center. The shuttle bus runs from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and costs 600 won. Forget about camping, as you cannot stay at Noeul Park after 7 p.m.

For more information, call (02) 300-5500~2