Top 10 Korea #9 — Nami Island: The Tiny Half-Moon That Made K-Drama History

Nami Island is the small half-moon-shaped island in the middle of the Han River, an hour by train and a 5-minute ferry from Seoul. It became internationally famous as the filming location of Winter Sonata in 2002, and the metasequoia-lined paths that appeared in that one drama scene are still the most photographed walkway in the country. Three things make the visit. Metasequoia Lane (메타세콰이어 길) is the most-photographed path — perfect symmetry in any season, especially in late autumn when the leaves turn orange. The island is also a no-cars zone with bicycle and small-train rental, ostriches, peacocks, and rabbits wandering freely in fenced enclosures. Nami Ferry (남이섬 페리) is the 5-minute crossing from Gapyeong Wharf — old-school open-deck ferries that run every 15 minutes, ₩16,000 round-trip including island entry. And Jara Island (자라섬) next door is the venue for the Jara Jazz Festival every October — one of Asia's longest-running jazz festivals. Getting there: ITX-Cheongchun from Seoul Yongsan to Gapyeong Station takes 1 hour, around ₩7,000. From Gapyeong Station, the free shuttle bus reaches the Nami ferry terminal in 10 minutes. Day-trip from Seoul standard; combine with Gapyeong stops below. Practical tips: arrive before 11 a.m. on weekends — the ferry line stretches 30+ minutes past noon. Bring or rent a bicycle; the island is too big for comfortable walking. Up next on #10: the same ITX line reaches Gapyeong, with the Garden of Morning Calm and the Petite France village.