School transformed into prison set, popular as filming location

▲ This photo, provided by Iksan City, shows the Iksan Prison Set. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

 

SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) --Iksan City, North Jeolla province announced on Thursday that the prison set, which is still popular despite COVID-19, has been selected as a "safe tourist destination."

The Korea Tourism Organization has selected the prison set in Seongdang-myeon as "2022 Korea's safe tourist destination" and decided to introduce it through the travel information site, "korean.visitkorea.or.kr". 

According to the city, 24 films and dramas were filmed last year on the Iksan Prison set, marking the biggest number of films since its opening.

The currently popular "Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area," "Why Her" and "Hot Blooded" were all filmed here.

The Iksan Prison Set was built on a 22,000㎡ site in 2005 after the Namseong branch of Seongjeong Elementary School closed.

With fully equipped prison facilities including a watchtower, meeting room, interrogation room, and a prison room, it has gained popularity as soon as it was opened.

A total of 280 films including "The War of Flower" and "Miracle in Cell No.7" were also filmed here.

100,000 tourists visit each year for the prison life experiences, such as trying on a prison uniform, taking pictures in prison, and many more.

Last month, a cheerful sports day was held on the grass plaza inside the set, and about 200 family members and couples participated the game.

"It is the first prison set in the country and because it has facilities that are actually similar to real-life prisons, it seems to be gaining popularity," a city official said. "We will do our best to expand convenience facilities and experience programs to develop it into a representative tourist spot."

 

(This article is translated from Korean to English by Haemin Kim.)

 

 

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