[HanCinema's News] Jeolla Province Claims 100 Million Tourists Thanks to Drama Productions

Comprising the southeastern part of South Korea, South Jeolla Province is relatively underdeveloped compared to other parts of the country. However, an announcement by the provincial government claims that in excess of one hundred million tourists have domestic and foreign have visited the province in part thanks to its cultural contents. A major part of the South Jeolla Province's campaign is its prominence as a filming location for several popular dramas.

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Many well-known persons in drama production attended the event where this announcement was made. These include director Kim Sang-ho-III of "Thirty Nine" and "Reborn Rich" from last year and writer/director Park Hyeon-jin of "Love and Leashes" among around twenty directors, screenwriters, and producers. The city of Naju in particular has been a site of interest due to its fish market, traditional school, and environmental tourism areas among others.

Haenam County has also been a site of interest. Its famed traditional inn Yuseongwan has featured in such classic films as "The General's Son" and "Seopyeonje" from director Im Kwon-taek. Other local areas were also feaured in his film "Beyond the Years" from 2007. The islands of Jindo County are also of interest due to their being the site of the Battle of Myeongnyang, dramatized in "The Admiral: Roaring Currents" and now home to a cable car for tourist purposes.

In a statement, Kim Sang-ho-III said that despite their not being many opportunities to visit South Jeolla Province, he had conceived ideas for new projects having visited the area. He praised the province both for its networking opportunities as well for its general tourist purposes. Park Hyeon-jin said that both the proper history of the province as well as the stories of the people there were time well-spent, likewise giving her ideas for future projects.

The ongoing promotional campaign was started by the South Jeolla Film Commission (JNFC, or JeonNam Film Commission) back in 2011. The head of the South Jeolla Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism pledged to continue developing the program at the event. Kim Sang-ho-III has not yet confirmed any future projects. Park Hyeon-jin's name has been connected to the upcoming JTBC drama "Bloody Romance" which is expected to begin airing on television later this year.

Written by William Schwartz