Are you also into Korea's new seaside romance drama “Doctor On the Edge”?
After all, some of Korea’s most beloved romance dramas have been set by the sea, surrounded by heartwarming village characters. From “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” in Pohang to “Welcome to Samdal-ri” in Jeju, coastal settings have become a favorite among viewers. Now, there is a new drama to add to the list.
Based on the popular webtoon “Jonbeo Doctor: Doctor Some Boy”, “Doctor On the Edge” is a medical healing romance starring Lee Jae Wook and Shin Ye Eun. It also features rising actors like Hong Min Gi. The ENA and Disney+ drama follows a public health doctor (Lee Jae Wook) who suffers from trauma related to water and is assigned to the fictional island of Pyeondongdo. There, he meets a nurse (Shin Ye Eun) hiding a secret, and together they heal old wounds while growing closer.
Unlike Shin Ye Eun’s character, who has spent a part of her life on the island, Lee Jae Wook’s character is forced to relocate there against his will. Since Pyeondongdo can only be reached by boat, every trip becomes a challenge for someone struggling with trauma linked to the sea.
The drama’s unique setting allows viewers to discover the daily lives of the island’s residents and the challenges faced by a small health center serving mainly a fishing community. Instead of the large hospitals often seen in medical dramas, “Doctor On the Edge” focuses on a close-knit community, bringing both warmth and comedy to the story.
Let’s have a look at the filming locations!
1. Is Pyeondongdo a Real Island? Meet Gajo Island (가조도)
Pyeondongdo does not actually exist in Korea. The name was created for the drama, so you will not find it on a map. However, many scenes were filmed on Gajo Island (Gajodo), a small island located in Geoje on Korea’s southern coast.
Let us explain a bit about that region.
Gajo Island is located not far from Busan and Tongyeong, two popular coastal destinations in southern Korea. While Busan is well known internationally, Tongyeong remains one of Korea's hidden gems. The city is famous for its picturesque harbor, island-hopping opportunities, fresh seafood, and beautiful ocean views, attracting many domestic travelers throughout the year.
Next to them, there is Geoje city located on the second-largest island of South Korea called Geoje Island (similar to the city name). The island is connected to Tongyeong by the Geojedaegyo Bridge and to Busan by the Geogadaegyo Bridge, making it easily accessible for visitors.
Linked to Geoje Island with a bridge, Gajo Island itself is much smaller and offers a quieter atmosphere. Known for its fishing villages, scenic coastal roads, and sea views, it provides the perfect backdrop for the fictional island of Pyeondongdo seen in the drama.
Can you see the bridges on the map above? Gajo Island is connected to Geoje Island, which in turn is linked to both Tongyeong and Busan by bridge, making the area easily accessible despite its island setting.
South Korea has 3,382 officially recognized islands, with approximately 473 inhabited and 2,910 uninhabited. Among them, the southern islands are particularly known for their beautiful coastal landscapes.
Gajo Island is especially famous for its breathtaking sunsets and peaceful atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking Oknyeobong Peak, fishing around Tangcheon, or simply exploring the island’s scenic coastal roads and villages.
That is why the drama is able to provide viewers with such beautiful scenery, fully capturing the charm of the harbors, fishing villages, and coastal roads around Gajo Island.
One interesting difference from the drama is that Gajo Island is actually connected to Geoje by the Gajo Bridge, which opened in 2009. While Pyeondongdo can only be reached by ferry in the drama, visitors can easily drive to Gajo Island in real life.
An official from Geoje City stated:
The official added that the city hopes the drama will help attract visitors and support the local economy through tourism.
Speaking about the filming experience, Lee Jae Wook revealed:
While Geoje is already a popular destination among domestic travelers, Gajo Island remains relatively less known to international tourists. This makes it an appealing destination for visitors looking to discover a quieter side of Korea away from the crowds. The island offers a glimpse into traditional coastal life, with fishing boats lining the harbor, local seafood restaurants, and panoramic sea views that change throughout the day. Let’s see more places from the island in other filming locations.
Address (Korean): 경남 거제시 사등면 가조로 1298
Address (English): 1298 Gajo-ro, Sadeung-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
Naver Map: https://naver.me/FMcNeqLN
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KTcBUYBmBj9YXca68
2. Gajo Island Health Center (가조 출장소)
The health center plays a central role in the story.
The exterior scenes of the health center were filmed at the actual Gajo Branch Office building, located in the middle of the island.
While the building appears to have only one floor in real life (against 2 floors in the drama), the surrounding scenery perfectly matches what viewers see in the drama, including the mountain in the background and the trees in front of the building. The building looks the same, too.
Address (Korean): 경남 거제시 사등면 가조로 565
Address (English): 565 Gajo-ro, Sadeung-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
Naver Map: https://naver.me/GypDIQCo
As for the interior scenes, did anyone else experience a sense of déjà vu while watching the health center for the first time?
Personally, it gave me strong “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” filming set vibes, although redesigned. There is currently no information confirming this connection, so for now it remains only a personal observation.
3. Changchon Port (창촌방파제)
Many harbor scenes were filmed around Changchon Port on Gajo Island.
This location appears in several memorable moments, including the scene where Shin Ye Eun carries Lee Jae Wook off the boat and scenes involving the elderly villagers and their fishing activities.
As a working fishing port, it perfectly captures the atmosphere of daily life on the fictional island of Pyeondongdo.
Address (Korean): 경남 거제시 사등면 창호리
Address (English): Changho-ri, Sadeung-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
Naver Map: https://naver.me/xRhroYH3
4. The Scenic Hill Road Seen in Episode 1
We are still on Gajo Island, as many scenes throughout the drama were filmed around the island itself.
The road where Lee Jae Wook struggles to carry his luggage uphill during Episode 1 is located here.
When watching the scene, it may seem difficult to recognize but if you compare the houses and rooftops visible in the background, it becomes much easier to identify the exact location.
It is another example of how the production team made full use of Gajo Island’s beautiful scenery.
Address (Korean): 경상남도 거제시 사등면 창호리 863
Address (English): 863 Changho-ri, Sadeung-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
Naver Map: https://naver.me/xPYLm5fB
5. Tongyeong Ferry Terminal (통영항여객선터미널)
Although Pyeondongdo is fictional, the ferry departure scenes were filmed at Tongyeong Ferry Terminal.
Tongyeong is one of Korea’s most famous coastal cities and serves as a gateway to many nearby islands. The terminal regularly connects travelers to destinations throughout the region, making it the perfect stand-in for the drama’s island transportation scenes.
It is here that Lee Jae Wook and Shin Ye Eun’s characters are seen taking the ferry to and from Pyeondongdo.
If you are planning a trip to Geoje, Tongyeong is also worth visiting. The city is famous for its waterfront views, cable car, island-hopping opportunities, and fresh seafood.
Address (Korean): 경남 통영시 통영해안로 234
Address (English): 234 Tongyeonghaean-ro, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
Naver Map: https://naver.me/xyTn3nas
“Doctor On the Edge” may take place on the fictional island of Pyeondongdo, but its beautiful filming locations are very real. From the peaceful fishing villages of Gajo Island to the bustling harbor of Tongyeong, the drama showcases some of the most charming coastal scenery in southern Korea.
Would you add Gajo Island to your Korea travel bucket list after watching “Doctor On the Edge”? Or are there any other filming locations from the drama that you would like to visit? Let us know in the comments!
