Filming for the Netflix original drama Beauty in the Beast, starring Kim Minju, Lomon, and Moon Sang Min, has sparked backlash after a shoot along Busan’s Gaegum Culture Cherry Blossom Road allegedly caused major inconvenience to tourists and locals. With the blossoms at their peak, a key photo spot was reportedly cordoned off, prompting accusations that the production effectively took over the spring hotspot.
The dispute centers on the main deck path of the Gaegum Culture Cherry Blossom Road in Busanjin-gu. The crew reportedly restricted about a 20-meter stretch from evening to early morning on April 1 and 2 to film. The problem: the site has recently gone viral on social media as a cherry blossom must-visit, drawing many visitors. When the go-to photo zone was blocked, tourists and citizens who had traveled from afar had to turn back.
On-site confusion was also significant. Some night lights were turned off, and filming equipment and vehicles occupied the narrow path, hindering pedestrians. Above all, many complained there was not enough advance notice. Aside from a banner near the entrance, there was little detail about control hours or when it would end. In the meantime, incorrect information spread online claiming filming would continue through the 3rd, further fueling confusion.
Questions were also raised about the approval process. While the production and location support team sought cooperation from the district office and police, they reportedly did not obtain a separate road-occupation permit, citing that the area was a pedestrian lane rather than a roadway. Citizens are criticizing the shoot for effectively restricting a public walkway without clear standards or sufficient notice.
As a result, the project drew attention less for the show itself and more for alleged nuisance filming. If shooting at a local landmark was meant to create buzz, critics argue the team should have at least issued thorough advance notices and managed the site more carefully to minimize public inconvenience.