Promise of Zhangjiajie

On March 28, the hit South Korean drama When Life Gives You Tangerines aired its final episode. In this emotional conclusion, the female lead, Oh Ae-sun, tells her critically ill lover, Yang Gwan-sik, "Next year, let's go to Zhangjiajie to see the falling leaves."

This moment left viewers in tears and once again brought Zhangjiajie, the iconic tourist destination in Central China's Hunan province, into the spotlight.

The drama intricately weaves together the stories of three generations of women, exploring themes of love, family, and personal growth over the span of more than 50 years. With a remarkable 9.5 out of 10 rating on Douban, China's leading review platform, the series has become one of the highest-rated Korean dramas in China in recent years.

Following the airing of the final episode, the Zhangjiajie municipal bureau of culture, tourism, television, and sports extended an official invitation to the show's cast to visit the city.

"The heartfelt promise has created a cross-border connection through Zhangjiajie's breathtaking scenery," the invitation read.

"Zhangjiajie has long been a popular destination among senior citizens from South Korea," said Zhang Mingtao, a staff member of the Zhangjiajie municipal publicity department, in an interview with Jiupai News.

The department also reported that a growing number of South Koreans are now choosing to take their parents on trips to Zhangjiajie. In 2024 alone, 400,000 South Korean tourists visited Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — accounting for more than half of its international tourist market.