Encounter is the first Korean drama to be filmed in Cuba, with the production spending approximately a month shooting in Havana locations such as Castillo de los Tres Reyes Del Morro, Hotel Nacional de Cuba, and Avenida Malecón.

The first episode was entirely shot on location in Cuba, a first for a South Korean drama.

The series was written by Yoo Young-ah and produced by Bon Factory, with the first script reading held on August 23, 2018, before principal photography began in September 2018.

Director Park Shin-woo said he only ever envisioned Song Hye-kyo and Park Bo-gum for the lead roles despite their 12-year age gap, stating he never considered any other actors and felt honored to work with them.

The drama became one of the highest-rated Korean dramas in cable television history, with its first episode recording an 8.7% nationwide viewership rating, the fourth-highest premiere rating for the network at the time.

Following the drama's success, Park Bo-gum was named the 'Most Buzzworthy Performer' for TV drama and entertainment for the entire eight-week run by Good Data Corporation and was dubbed the 'Nation's Boyfriend'.

Song Hye-kyo's on-screen wardrobe, bob haircut, and the Sulwhasoo lip serum stick used by her character all went viral, causing featured fashion brands to sell out of stock.

The series' broadcasting rights were sold to over 100 territories, streaming via Viki, Viu, iQIYI and Netflix, and it was later remade in the Philippines in 2021 starring Cristine Reyes and Diego Loyzaga.