Discover the filming locations of Tantara (Slowly and Intensely), the upcoming Netflix drama starring Song Hye-kyo and Gong Yoo, set in 1960s–1980s Korea.

Before its official release, Tantara (literal title: Slowly and Intensely) is already drawing immense attention as one of Netflix’s most anticipated Korean dramas of 2026. Starring Song Hye-kyo and Gong Yoo in their first on-screen collaboration, and written by acclaimed screenwriter Noh Hee-kyoung (Our Blues), the series promises an emotionally layered story set against the evolving Korean entertainment industry from the 1960s through the 1980s.

Filming began in early January 2026, and although the drama has not yet premiered, early production reports and on-location sightings give us a first glimpse into the real places shaping its cinematic world. From coastal industrial cities to carefully constructed retro sets, Tantara is being built as a visual time capsule of Korea’s musical and cultural transformation.

Changwon – The First Confirmed Filming Location

The first publicly confirmed filming location for Tantara is Changwon, a port and industrial city in South Gyeongsang Province. On January 21, 2026, large-scale outdoor sets were spotted being constructed here, transforming parts of the city into period-accurate streetscapes representing Korea from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Changwon’s urban landscape offers:

• Wide roads and low-rise architecture suitable for historical reconstruction
• Former factory zones and worker neighborhoods that echo the drama’s themes of poverty, labor, and aspiration
• A coastal atmosphere that visually contrasts with Seoul’s dense city center
• A sense of social transition, mirroring the characters’ journey from obscurity to stardom

As Tantara follows young talents rising from difficult circumstances to chase dreams in the music industry, Changwon’s working-class visual identity provides an emotionally grounded and authentic backdrop.

Seoul & Purpose-Built Period Sets

Because the story unfolds inside Korea’s entertainment world, a large portion of filming is taking place in and around Seoul, using both real locations and meticulously designed period sets.

Rather than relying on modern districts, the production is recreating:

• 1960s–70s broadcast studios with analog cameras and control rooms
• Old-style recording studios filled with reel-to-reel tape machines
• Music halls and small theaters where early performers first took the stage
• Retro boarding houses and rehearsal rooms where aspiring artists once lived

These spaces allow the drama to visually trace the birth of Korea’s modern music industry, from intimate live performances to the early days of television and radio fame.

A Drama Told Through Atmosphere

Directed by Lee Yoon-jung (Coffee Prince), Tantara is expected to favor subtle, emotional storytelling over spectacle. The locations play a crucial role in this approach:

• Muted color palettes inspired by old film stock
• Natural lighting that emphasizes texture and shadow
• Narrow streets, modest interiors, and worn materials that feel lived-in
• A slow, observational camera style that lets space reflect emotion

Recording booths become places of fragile hope.
Small theaters symbolize the first spark of recognition.
Crowded boarding rooms carry the weight of struggle and persistence.

Each setting functions not just as a background, but as a silent narrator of the characters’ inner lives.

What Fans May Be Able to Visit After Release

While full location lists will only be revealed after broadcast, Tantara is likely to create future pilgrimage spots such as:

• Preserved filming sets in Changwon
• Retro streets in Seoul transformed into 1970s entertainment districts
• Historic theaters and cultural halls later promoted as filming sites
• Studio complexes that housed the drama’s music and broadcast scenes

For K-drama fans, these places may soon become new check-in destinations, much like iconic locations from Reply 1988, Youth of May, and Our Blues.

A Story of Dreams, Told Through Real Places

Long before its premiere, Tantara is already shaping a powerful visual identity rooted in history, resilience, and artistic longing. Through its filming locations in Changwon, Seoul, and purpose-built period sets, the series reconstructs the streets, studios, and stages that once gave birth to Korea’s modern music culture.

When the drama finally airs, these locations will no longer be simple sets. They will become emotional landmarks of a story about young people who began with nothing but a voice, a dream, and the courage to pursue it—slowly, and intensely.