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The hit Korean drama "Crash Landing on You," which premiered in late 2019 and starred Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin, quickly became an Asian television phenomenon. The romantic love story between North Korean Captain Ri Jeong Hyeok and wealthy businesswoman Yoon Se Ri not only touched millions of hearts but also transformed filming locations into tourist destinations.
Not only was the film shot in South Korea, but it also features many stunning scenes in Switzerland, making viewers feel as if they've stepped into a fairytale land. These scenes filmed in Switzerland quickly became a sensation and are now considered some of the most iconic moments of "Crash Landing on You".
The idyllic Swiss village of Iseltwald has become the focus of attention thanks to its appearance in the popular Netflix South Korean television series, "Crash Landing on You".
Specifically, after the drama aired in 2020, the small boat dock on Lake Brienz in the village of Iseltwald, Switzerland, where the main couple's romantic moments were captured, quickly became a highly sought-after check-in spot, especially among Asian tourists. Furthermore, the final scene of the drama, where Ri Jeong Hyeok and Yoon Se Ri find happiness together at Lake Lungern, Obwalden, was also considered by viewers to be one of the most beautiful and memorable scenes.
When the drama aired, the pier where the male lead filmed attracted many fans who came to take photos.
The majestic mountain scenery, the turquoise lake, and the distinctive traditional wooden houses have helped the small village of Iseltwald attract more than 1,000 visitors a day—an astonishing number for a place with only three hotels and four restaurants, according to SCMP.
Iseltwald, with a population of only about 400 people, was once a peaceful village nestled beside a picturesque lake. However, the explosive popularity of "Crash Landing on You" has caused a surge in tourism. Even though the drama ended many years ago, the appeal of the filming locations has not diminished. According to local media reports, Iseltwald's website recorded around 400,000 visits last year, a testament to the immense interest from around the world.
The mountainous scenery, the clear blue lake, and the characteristic wooden houses help the small village attract more than 1,000 visitors every day, despite having only 3 hotels and 4 restaurants.
The influx of tourists has brought significant economic benefits, but it has also caused considerable inconvenience for the people of Iseltwald. Noise, litter, and traffic congestion are daily problems faced by the villagers. Many tourists even intrude into people's yards or private gardens to take photos, infringing on the residents' privacy. The village's only general store, which usually only opens Monday to Friday, now has to operate all week to meet the increased demand.
To control crowds and generate additional funds for maintenance, since 2023, the village of Iseltwald has installed automatic toll gates at the entrance to the boat dock, charging 5 Swiss francs (approximately 6.3 USD) per visit.
To control the flow of people and generate more funds for maintenance, the village of Iseltwald decided to install automatic toll gates at the entrance to the boat dock, charging 5 Swiss francs (approximately 6.3 USD) per visit. However, despite this fee, the number of visitors has not decreased to date. Titia Weiland, a representative of the Bönigen-Iseltwald tourism agency, shared that she had hoped for more tourists, but now things are "a bit excessive".
In response to this situation, the Iseltwald authorities proactively created a dedicated website to guide tourists on how to get around, while also urging everyone not to litter, to maintain order, and to respect the privacy of the residents. The message on the village's website conveys the wish: "We hope visitors have a wonderful experience and take away beautiful memories of Switzerland."
