The Scandal

돈암서원 충남 논산시 연산면 임3길 26-14

This is where Jo-won sits the first stage of the civil service exam in episode 1. Two filming-location write-ups point to Eungdodang, the academy's lecture hall, as the spot. The seowon was founded in 1634 in memory of the scholar Kim Jang-saeng and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019 as one of the nine Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies. Eungdodang is a large building, so step back from the courtyard a little to get the roof and pillars into one frame.

해남 윤씨 녹우당 전남 해남군 해남읍 녹우당길 135

The hanok that appears as the house where Jo-won stays in episode 1. It is not a set but the head house of the Haenam Yun clan, the family of the poet Yun Seon-do, and the house and its grounds were designated a Historic Site in 1968. The name Nokudang originally meant just the men's quarters, but today it covers the inner house, the walls and the old trees as well. If it did not look like a newly built set on screen, that is because generations of the family have actually lived here.

지산동고분군 경북 고령군 대가야읍 지산리

Goryeong County lists this site as a filming location for Netflix's The Scandal. Tombs of the Daegaya ruling class run along the ridge, and in September 2023 the site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site as one of the Gaya Tumuli. Walking the path between the mounds, the place feels far bigger than it looks in photos. The Daegaya Museum and the Royal Tomb Exhibition Hall sit by the entrance, so they are easy to take in on the same visit.

문경새재 오픈세트장 경북 문경시 문경읍 새재로 932

Filming-location write-ups list this open set as one of The Scandal's locations. Built as a KBS period-drama set and later remade by Mungyeong City with a Joseon backdrop, it puts a palace, government offices and noble houses inside one fence. You walk in past Juheulgwan, the first gate of Mungyeong Saejae. The provincial park is free, but the set charges admission.

반곡지 경북 경산시 남산면 반곡리 246

Filming-location write-ups name this reservoir as the setting for The Scandal's lakeside scenes. It is an irrigation reservoir, but the old willows along the bank and their reflection in the water made it a photo spot, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism picked it as one of its scenic photo locations. Other period dramas shoot here often, so do not expect a place that belongs to this series alone. It is open at all times with no admission fee.

성주 한개마을 응와종택 경북 성주군 월항면 한개2길 23-16

A clan head house in Seongju's Hangae Village that filming-location write-ups name as the setting for The Scandal's old-house scenes. The village is a Seongsan Yi clan settlement and a National Folk Heritage site, and Eungwa Jongtaek is also called Bukbi Gotaek, the house with the north gate, because Yi Seok-mun, who mourned Crown Prince Sado, set its main gate facing north. The village is open at all times and free, but people live in every house, so only go inside where a gate is open to visitors.

쌍산재 전남 구례군 마산면 장수길 3-2

An old house in Gurye that filming-location write-ups list among The Scandal's locations. Kept by the Haeju O family for generations, its inner house, men's quarters, annex and pavilion open onto the garden. Opening hours are short, 11 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. with last entry at 4, and it closes on Tuesdays. Admission is 10,000 won per person including a welcome tea, and visitors must be of middle-school age or older.