“Heavenly Ever After”:Cast, Filming Locations, and More

Netflix’s Heavenly Ever After (천국보다 아름다운), a romantic fantasy directed by Kim Suk-Yoon (The Light in Your Eyes, Behind Your Touch) and written by Lee Nam-Kyu (Daily Dose of Sunshine) and Kim Soo-Jin, premiered on April 19, 2025. The 12-episode series follows an elderly woman’s unconventional afterlife reunion with her husband in Heaven.

Main Cast and Characters

• Kim Hye-ja (Mother, The Light in Your Eyes) as Lee Hae-sook: An 80-year-old woman who chooses to retain her aged appearance in Heaven, defying norms to reunite with her husband.
• Son Suk-ku (My Liberation Notes) as Ko Nak-joon: Hae-sook’s husband, now a 30-year-old heavenly postman delivering wishes from Earth. His older self is portrayed by Park Woong.
• Han Ji-min (Our Blues) as Som-yi: A mysterious woman rescued from a hell-bound subway, adding intrigue to the afterlife narrative.
• Lee Jung-eun (Parasite) as Lee Young-ae: Hae-sook’s lifelong mentor and confidante.
• Chun Ho-jin (Reply 1994) as Center Director: The warmhearted head of Heaven’s Support Center.
• Ryu Deok-hwan (Crash Landing on You) as Pastor: A soul who died young, navigating the afterlife with humor.

Filming Locations of “Heavenly Ever After”

Orientation Garden Heaven Support Center

The Heaven Support Center scenes in Heavenly Ever After combine two distinct locations:

1. Exterior: Chuncheon Gangajisup Forest (춘천 강아지 숲)
2. Interior: Cheongrium (청리움) in Gapyeong

Chuncheon Gangajisup Forest (Exterior)

Details:

• Role: Serves as the exterior of the Heaven Support Center, where Lee Hae-sook undergoes orientation.
• Features: Presumed to be a serene forested area (exact details about “Gangajisup Forest” are unspecified in available records; the name may refer to a localized or lesser-known woodland near Chuncheon).
• Alternative Nearby Locations: If “Gangajisup” refers to a general forested area, it may align with Chuncheon’s Nami Island or Jaraseom Island-popular filming sites known for dense foliage and tranquil vibes.

How to Visit:

• Address: Specific coordinates for “Gangajisup Forest” are unconfirmed. For general Chuncheon forest areas, use public transport from Chuncheon Station (Gyeongchun Line).
• Transport: From Seoul’s Yongsan Station, take the ITX-Cheongchun train to Chuncheon (1hr). Taxis or local buses can then reach forested zones like Gangchon Rail Park or Soyanggang Sky Walk areas.

Cheongrium (Interior)

Details:

• Role: Provides the interior sets for the Heaven Support Center’s bureaucratic offices and counseling spaces.
• Features: A Hancom Group-owned complex in Gapyeong’s Borisan area, blending modern facilities with natural surroundings. Key spaces include:
  • Conference Hall: Used for orientation scenes, equipped with beam projectors and audio systems.
  • Cafeteria: Features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking gardens, likely doubling as heavenly lounge areas.
  • Seminar Rooms: Minimalist interiors with flexible seating arrangements.

How to Visit:

• Address: Gapyeong-gun, Nae-myeon, Ganghwa-seoro 254-3 (near Borisan Mountain).
• Transport:
  • By Car: From Seoul, take the Gyeongchun Expressway to Gapyeong IC (1hr 10min).
  • Public Transit: Take the Gyeongchun Line to Gapyeong Station → Local taxi (15min drive).
• Access: Primarily a corporate event space; confirm booking availability via Cheongrium’s website.

Why These Locations?
The contrast between Chuncheon’s natural exteriors and Cheongrium’s structured interiors visually reinforces the drama’s theme of bureaucratic heavens coexisting with earthly nostalgia. For exact filming coordinates, check JTBC’s official updates closer to the drama’s 2025 release.

Tip: Pair this visit with Chuncheon’s Soyanggang Dam or Gapyeong’s Petite France for a full K-drama tour.

Plot and Themes

After dying at 80, Hae-sook arrives in Heaven and reunites with Nak-joon, who appears decades younger. While Nak-joon built their heavenly home during his wait, Hae-sook’s choice to remain elderly challenges societal norms, exploring themes of aging, love, and identity. The story contrasts bureaucratic afterlife systems (reminiscent of The Good Place) with deeply personal reunions, blending whimsy and emotional depth.

Availability: Streaming on Netflix in 130 countries. For official updates, Netflix.

Why Watch “Heavenly Ever After”?

With Kim Hye-ja’s powerhouse performance and a mix of humor and heart, Heavenly Ever After redefines afterlife fantasies, making it a standout 2025 K-drama.