Joint Security Area

Many people have taken tours of the Hollywood film studios, such as Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal, etc. However, many other countries offer tours around their studios and backlots as well. Here we’ll take a look at Namyangju Film Studio in South Korea, located in Gyeonggi-do, about an hour outside of Seoul.

LOCATION: Namyangju Film Studio, 138, Bukhangang-ro 855beon-gil, Joan-myeon, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

The road to the studio. You can find bus rides from Seoul that will take you straight to the studio.

Inside this building is the studio and several exhibits. You can go above this building to the outdoor grounds where many sets stand.

The reverse view from atop of the same building, which is pretty spectacular. As you can see, the studio is tucked away in the Korean countryside, far away from the city lights.

One of the most internationally famous films to shoot at the studio was Chan-Wook Park’s “Joint Security Area.”

The production built an entire, full scale recreation of the Joint Security Area, a highly militarized section of the border between North and South Korea, intended to hold discussions between the two sides. Obviously filming a movie in the real J.S.A. would not be possible. Even though the Chan-Wook Park film was completed decades ago, to this day, the set on Namyangji remains the go-to spot for pretty much all South Korean productions looking to film scenes set in the J.S.A. We did a separate article on this particular set here.

A tank and some military vehicles from the 2015 film “The Long Way Home” (a.k.a. “Seoboojeonsun”).

A full scale ship from the 2014 film “Pirates” (a.k.a. “Hae-jeok: Ba-da-ro gan san-jeok”).

There is also a set for an entire old, traditional Korean village at the studio, but it was being used for filming the day of our visit, so unfortunately our views of this area were limited.

Some train cars.

Some interesting paintings along the walls as you head into the interior portions of the studio.

This contraption was sitting outside of the studio.

A rope bridge in front of a blue screen, where visitors can simulate crossing a treacherous passing.

Some film costumes. The military costumes to the left are from the 2007 film “May 18” (a.k.a. “Hwa-ryeo-han-hyoo-ga”), while the costume on the right is from the 2007 film “Hanbando.”

Some excellent models and miniatures.

This photo does not do justice to how beautiful and intricate this miniature shipwrecked city is.

The prop room.

Some props and costumes from old Korean films.

Some old Korean awards and honors.

If you’re a film lover and find yourself in South Korea, it’s worth taking a visit out to Namyangji Film Studio. We of course realize most people reading this will likely never make it out there, so we hope this post is the next best thing.

If you’ve never seen the 2000 South Korean film “Joint Security Area,” from “Oldboy” director Chan-Wook Park, you certainly owe it to yourself to seek it out. Amongst it’s many accolades, the film was hailed by Quentin Tarantino as one of the 20 greatest films since 1992.

Part of the film is, of course, set in the Joint Security Area, inside the D.M.Z., where the North and South Korean borders meet and where the two governments meet to discuss matters on occasion. In reality, South Korean citizens are not permitted inside the D.M.Z. or J.S.A., so the production had to create a full-scale replica for the film. That replica was built at the Namyangju Film Studio in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, about an hour outside of Seoul. You can take a more in-depth look at the studio here.

The replica J.S.A. still stands today and looks identical to how it appeared in the film. The replica structure continues to be used by nearly any South Korean production looking to film scenes set within the J.S.A., but remains best known for being seen in the “Joint Security Area” film.

LOCATION: Namyangju Film Studio, 138, Bukhangang-ro 855beon-gil, Joan-myeon, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Upon approaching the replica J.S.A, you’ll see this sign in front.

Here is the actual J.S.A. recreation, which strongly resembles the real buildings.

This sign is posted next to one of the buildings, depicting the film’s famous final shot.

A closer look at the “North Korean” side. Visitors are of course welcome to freely cross the fictitious border, but the resemblance is so strong, it makes for a strange feeling walking across, as if you really are crossing the border.

The view back of the J.S.A. from the “North Korean” side.

This pavilion overlooking the J.S.A. was also seen in the film in one scene. It still appears exactly as it did in the film.

We leave you with a poster for the film, seen in another section of Namyangji Film Studio. The film studio offers unguided, public tours for a fairly low price. We recommend you pay a visit if you’re an international film fan and find yourself in South Korea.

Film Oblivion

Movie and TV locations, points of interest.

Namyangju Film Studio

J.S.A.: Joint Security Area (2000)