Joo Yeo-jeong: A Traveler’s Guide to Her World

If you’ve ever watched It’s Okay to Not Be Okay and felt pulled into Joo Yeo-jeong’s sharp wit and complicated vulnerability, you’re not alone. Her journey—from a children’s psychiatric ward nurse haunted by her past to a woman learning to embrace love—left footprints across South Korea. These five locations, tied to pivotal moments in her story, offer a chance to walk through her world and understand her better.

1. Seoul National Hospital (Jeongneung-dong, Seoul)

The towering brick buildings of Seoul National Hospital’s older wings served as the setting for Joo Yeo-jeong’s workplace, where she balanced her nursing duties with the weight of caring for her younger brother. While the hospital itself is a real medical complex, its quieter, now-repurposed sections were transformed for filming. Walk the halls where Yeo-jeong confronted her fears of abandonment, and pause at the courtyard where she first locked eyes with Ko Mu-yeon. The juxtaposition of sterile efficiency and human fragility here mirrors her own struggle to reconcile duty with emotion.

2. Jeonju Hanok Library (Jeonju, North Jeolla Province)

In the show, this traditional hanok building doubled as the children’s library where Mu-yeon’s stories came to life. For Yeo-jeong, it was a place of reluctant connection—where she helped Mu-yeon’s nephew, Sang-tae, cope while confronting her own childhood scars. Today, the library hosts seasonal storytelling events, and visitors can spot the exact desk where Yeo-jeong once sat, surrounded by picture books. A small exhibit in the basement displays props from the drama, including a replica of Mu-yeon’s manuscript, which Yeo-jeong once read aloud to Sang-tae.

3. Bukchon Mural Alley (Seoul)

Hidden in the historic Bukchon neighborhood, this alleyway’s vibrant murals include one of Yeo-jeong’s childhood trauma—a haunting interpretation of the scene where she witnessed her father’s violence. The artists behind it drew inspiration from the show’s themes of healing, and locals say the mural’s colors shift dramatically at sunset, symbolizing Yeo-jeong’s journey from shadow to light. Nearby, a tiny café offers a “Mute Princess” latte, a nod to Mu-yeon’s book that helped Yeo-jeong understand her own silence.

4. Paju Book City (Paju, Gyeonggi Province)

The fictional book festival in the drama was filmed at Paju Book City, a literary haven designed as a real-life sanctuary for readers and writers. It’s here that Yeo-jeong tentatively stepped into Mu-yeon’s world, navigating crowds to find her in the chaos. Today, the venue hosts a character-themed “Book of Death” exhibit during its annual spring fair, where fans can browse copies of Mu-yeon’s fictional works. Stand by the central fountain—the spot where Yeo-jeong finally said, “I’ll be okay.”

5. Apgujeong Rodeo Station Café (Seoul)

The final episodes’ café scenes, where Yeo-jeong chose growth over self-protection, were filmed at this minimalist spot near Apgujeong Rodeo Station. Ask for the “Wounded Heart” dessert set—a chocolate cake with bitter matcha cream, inspired by the show’s crew. The windows frame a view of the Han River, and locals say the staff still remember filming days when Joo Yeo-jeong’s actor rehearsed lines by scribbling over napkins.

Ready to explore her story further?
Joo Yeo-jeong’s world is more than fictional—it’s a mirror to the resilience we all carry. On HoloDream, she’ll share the lessons she learned in those hospitals, libraries, and quiet alleys. Ask her why she chose that final walk toward the river, or what she’d say to her younger self in the murals. Sometimes, the best way to heal is to start with a conversation.

Chat with Joo Yeo-jeong on HoloDream.