Tucked along the middle reaches of the South Han River (Namhan River) in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, Binaeseom(or Binae island) is an island that wears two very different faces. To most visitors, it is a beloved seasonal destination — especially in autumn, when golden silver grass (억새, eulalia) sways across its vast floodplains, drawing crowds from across the country. But beyond the scenic beauty lies a far more significant identity: Binaeseom is one of Korea’s officially designated National Inland Wetland Protection Areas.
A Naturally Formed Island with a Remarkable Ecosystem
Binaeseom was not engineered or developed — it emerged entirely through natural processes. Situated in the middle-to-upper section of the South Han River, the island spans an impressive 920,484 square meters, making it the largest and only wetland protection area in Chungcheong-buk Province.
What makes Binaeseom ecologically unique is its varied terrain. The upstream end of the island is characterized by coarse gravel beds, while the downstream area features extensive accumulations of sand. This contrast creates a dynamic landscape of riffles (여울) and pools (소) — shallow, fast-flowing sections alternating with deeper, calmer waters. Such diversity in water flow and substrate provides an extraordinary range of microhabitats, supporting an exceptionally rich community of wildlife.
In total, 865 species of plants and animals have been recorded on the island. Among them, 15 species are classified as endangered, including:
- Fish: Gudgeon (꾸구리), Korean stumpy bullhead (돌상어), Oily bitterling (묵납자루)
- Plants: Shibataea kumasasa (단양쑥부쟁이)
- Mammals: Eurasian otter (수달), Leopard cat (삵)
- Birds: Cinereous vulture (독수리), Eurasian eagle-owl (수리부엉이), Northern goshawk (참매), Whooper swan (큰고니), White-tailed eagle (흰꼬리수리), Scaly-sided merganser (호사비오리), White-throated kingfisher (흰목물떼새)
- Reptiles: Leopard rock lizard (표범장지뱀)
Recognizing this ecological importance, Korea’s Ministry of Environment officially designated Binaeseom as the 28th National Inland Wetland Protection Area on November 30, 2021, under Article 8 of the Wetland Conservation Act. It marked the first such designation in Chungcheong-buk Province.
A Backdrop for Korea’s Biggest Dramas
Long before ecologists and policymakers turned their attention to Binaeseom, the island had already caught the eye of Korea’s entertainment industry. Its unspoiled natural landscape — wide river views, dense reed beds, and open gravel plains — made it an ideal stand-in for ancient Korean kingdoms and dramatic wilderness settings.
Over the years, Binaeseom served as a filming location for numerous major productions:
- KBS: King Geunchogo, Gwanggaeto the Great, Jeon Woo-chi, Jeong Do-jeon, Jingbirok
- MBC: Goddess of Fire, Empress Ki, Princess and the Matchmaker
- SBS: Six Flying Dragons
- Film: The Front Line (서부전선)
However, it was tvN’s Crash Landing on You (사랑의 불시착) that truly catapulted Binaeseom onto the national radar. The drama, which became a massive hit both domestically and internationally, featured sweeping scenes shot across the island’s open plains — scenes that had viewers across Asia rushing to visit.
Conservation Over Recreation
With its growing fame came increasing pressure. For years, Binaeseom was a go-to spot for campers, drawn by its open spaces and riverside atmosphere. However, all camping activities within the island are now strictly prohibited following its designation as a protected wetland area.
This shift reflects a broader priority: the preservation of a fragile and irreplaceable natural environment. Visitors are still welcome to explore and appreciate the island’s beauty, but the ecosystem — and the 865 species that call it home — now takes precedence.
Binaeseom is a reminder that Korea’s most remarkable natural spaces don’t always announce themselves loudly. An island famous for autumn scenery and drama sets turns out to also be a critical refuge for endangered species and a textbook example of a thriving river wetland ecosystem. Whether you come for the silver grass, the cinematic history, or the ecology, Binaeseom offers something deeper than a typical tourist destination — a living, breathing landscape shaped entirely by the river that surrounds it.
Binaeseom Gallery
A picture taken from a distance before arriving at Binaeseom.
the entrance to Binaeseom.
It says “Sound Island” and “Binaeseom”
If you cross this small bridge, it’s Binaeseom.
The walking course inside the Binaeseom and the contents of the creatures inside the Binaeseom.
Unfortunately, it is only written in Korean.
pictures of the scenery of the Binaeseom
The filming location of Crash Landing on You (marked by a small sign)
Namhan River Scenery
The scenery of the Binaeseom as the sun begins to go down.
A picture taken as I came out of the Binaeseom, the building on the right is a rest area of Binae.
There are posters of movies and dramas filmed so far at the Binaeseom, and there is a bicycle certification center.
A parking lot on the Binaeseom.
