Visiting Gangwon Beaches Featured in Goblin and K-Dramas

The Cinematic Magic of Gangwon’s East Coast

Standing on the windswept Gangneung coastline during late autumn, watching rolling turquoise waves crash against dark stone breakwaters, you instantly realize why Korean drama directors keep returning to Gangwon Province. The coastline along Korea’s East Sea offers an intoxicating mix of crisp, wide-open marine horizons, stark pine forests, and soft golden sand. For decades, these shores have provided the visual canvas for iconic romance scenes, dramatic character breakthroughs, and nostalgic summer memories in Korean entertainment.

International travel enthusiasts planning a trip centered around a real-life gangwon beaches kdrama itinerary often wonder if these locations live up to their screen presence. The short answer is yes. From the melancholic breakwater where Ji Eun-tak summoned the immortal goblin to the vibrant surf spots where modern urban romances unfold, Gangwon’s coastal destinations are easily accessible, stunningly scenic, and rich with local food culture. Here is your local fan guide to visiting the exact seaside spots where your favorite screen moments took place.

Jumunjin Breakwater (Gangneung): The Immortal Goblin Scene

When Ji Eun-tak accidentally summons Kim Shin on her birthday in Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin), she sits alone at the tip of a narrow concrete ocean barrier, holding a red scarf while waves spray around her. That brief interaction set off one of the most beloved romantic arcs in K-drama history, making Jumunjin Breakwater an iconic pilgrimage destination for readers exploring gangwon beaches kdrama spots.

In reality, Jumunjin Breakwater consists of several concrete wave-breakers built along the coast of Hyangho-ri in northern Gangneung. The ocean here displays a deep blue tone that contrasts dramatically with the white sea foam. Local authorities have placed helpful signs pointing out the exact breakwater used in filming, so visitors do not have to guess which ledge matches the show. Because the area sits exposed to open sea swells, water occasionally washes over the structure during high tides or windy weather, so visitors should always watch their footing.

How to Get There

Take the KTX High-Speed Rail from Seoul Station or Cheongnyangni Station directly to Gangneung Station (about 2 hours). From the bus stop outside Gangneung Station, take local Bus 300 or 302 toward Jumunjin. Get off at the Jumunjin Beach or Hyangho-ri stop (approx. 40 to 50 minutes). From the bus stop, walk toward the coast for roughly five minutes to find the seaside promenade.

Ayajin Beach (Goseong): Healing Waters and Coastal Calm

In the mental health drama It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, the tranquil coastline of Goseong provides a dramatic backdrop for the characters’ emotional healing journey. Moon Gang-tae and Ko Moon-young walk along gentle sandy shores and colorful breakwater blocks near the coastal location used as the external setting for the psychiatric hospital in the show.

Ayajin Beach is situated in Goseong County, just north of Sokcho. Known among locals for its shallow, crystal-clear water and unique granite rock formations scattered near the shore, Ayajin offers a far quieter atmosphere than large urban beaches. A distinct row of rainbow-painted stone barriers stretches along the coastal road, giving the shoreline a charming, cheerful aesthetic that contrasts beautifully with the blue ocean backdrop.

How to Get There

Board an intercity bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal or Dong Seoul Terminal bound for Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal (approx. 2 hours and 20 minutes). From Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal, head to the nearby local bus stop and catch Bus 1 or 1-1 heading north toward Goseong. Alight at the Ayajin Beach stop (around 25 minutes) and walk two minutes straight toward the sea.

Surfyy Beach (Yangyang): Modern Romance and Tropical Vibes

If you have watched the trendy series Lovestruck in the City, you likely remember the vibrant, sun-soaked seaside enclave where Park Jae-won meets the free-spirited Lee Eun-o. Those dreamy coastal scenes, complete with beachside camper vans, surfboards leaning against wooden huts, and sunset bonfires, captured a completely different side of Korea’s coastal lifestyle.

In real life, this location is Surfyy Beach, a privately managed stretch along Hajodae Beach in Yangyang County. It was Korea’s first dedicated surfing beach zone, designed with a distinct tropical resort atmosphere featuring straw-roofed lounge bars, beanbags on the sand, and bright yellow letter signage standing directly in the tide line. While the beach grounds are open to the public during daytime hours, swimming is strictly restricted to designated safety zones, leaving the rest of the shoreline open for surfers and lounge guests.

How to Get There

Take an express intercity bus from Dong Seoul Terminal to Yangyang Bus Terminal (approx. 2 hours). From Yangyang Terminal, transfer to a local bus bound for Hajodae, or take a 15-minute taxi ride directly to Surfyy Beach. Note that public bus schedules in Yangyang run on longer intervals than in major cities, so checking real-time arrival apps or keeping local taxi phone numbers handy is recommended.

Sokcho Beach and Abai Village: Classic Melodrama Nostalgia

Long before modern hits dominated international streaming services, early Hallyu classics like Autumn in My Heart put Gangwon Province on the global map. The wide sandy expanses of Sokcho Beach and the neighboring historic Abai Village showcased the traditional hand-pulled water transport known as the Gaetbae ferry, establishing Sokcho as an original K-drama pilgrimage destination.

Sokcho Beach is a lively, well-maintained city beach located right in the heart of Sokcho. It features comfortable boardwalks, modern art sculptures, pine tree walking trails, and a towering ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the sea and nearby Seoraksan Mountain. A short ten-minute walk north along the coastline leads you to Abai Village, a historic neighborhood settled by refugees during the Korean War, where visitors can still ride the traditional manual cable ferry across the small waterway channel.

How to Get There

Board an express bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal directly to Sokcho Express Bus Terminal (approx. 2 hours and 10 minutes). Sokcho Beach is located directly behind the terminal building—less than a 5-minute stroll on foot. To reach Abai Village, walk north along the beach promenade for approximately 15 minutes or take a quick 3-minute taxi ride.

Make a Day of It: Regional Eats and Local Stops

Visiting a gangwon beaches kdrama site is only half the experience; Gangwon Province is equally famous among Koreans for its rich, regional culinary specialties. Combining location visits with local food stops makes for an unforgettable coastal road trip.

When visiting Gangneung and Jumunjin, head to the Chodang Tofu Village near Anmok Beach. This neighborhood specializes in soft, freshly made tofu curdled using clean seawater pulled directly from the East Sea. Follow up your meal by walking along Anmok Beach Coffee Street, a shoreline lined with multistory cafes offering floor-to-ceiling glass ocean views. In Sokcho and Goseong, treat yourself to Abai Sundae (squid stuffed with seasoned glass noodles, vegetables, and minced meat) or a bowl of spicy cold raw fish soup (Mulhoe).

Location	Featured Drama	Must-Try Local Food
Jumunjin (Gangneung)	Goblin	Chodang Soft Tofu & Gelato
Ayajin (Goseong)	It’s Okay to Not Be Okay	Cold Raw Fish Soup (Mulhoe)
Sokcho Beach	Autumn in My Heart / Encounter	Squid Abai Sundae

For visitors exploring the Goseong area near Ayajin Beach, consider stopping at local ocean-view cafes housed in renovated buildings. One nearby hillside property served as the primary hospital facade during filming for It’s Okay to Not Be Okay; today, it operates as a private commercial cafe called Secret Blue. When visiting cafes or commercial venues that served as drama sites, always purchase a drink or meal, follow posted visitor guidelines, and respect private property bounds.

Photo Tips for Drama Fans

Capturing that perfect cinematic photo requires a bit of timing and planning. Here are practical composition tips straight from local experience:

• Jumunjin Breakwater: Line up early in the morning (before 9:00 AM) to avoid long queues. Shoot from a low angle facing out toward the sea to isolate your subject against the horizon, eliminating background crowds.
• Ayajin Beach: The rainbow seawall blocks look best during mid-afternoon when sunlight strikes the bright paint directly. Position your subject sitting on one of the colored blocks with the blue ocean extending behind them.
• Surfyy Beach Yangyang: Golden hour (one hour before sunset) provides soft, warm lighting against the yellow giant text sign on the sand. Shoot angled slightly sideways to catch the warm sky reflected in the wet tide marks.
• Seasonal Lighting: Autumn and winter offer crisp, clear skies with minimal humidity, resulting in sharper background horizons for photography. Bring a heavy windbreaker jacket, as coastal ocean breezes can be quite cold even on sunny days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these Gangwon beaches accessible during winter?

Yes, all Gangwon coastal areas remain accessible year-round. While swimming is restricted during colder months, winter is actually a favored season for drama fans and photography enthusiasts because the ocean colors appear unusually vibrant and crowds are significantly smaller. Always pack warm winter outerwear, gloves, and windproof jackets, as coastal winds along the East Sea can be intense between November and March.

Do I need to rent a car to visit these filming locations?

While renting a car offers maximum flexibility when hopping between neighboring towns like Goseong, Sokcho, and Yangyang, it is entirely possible to complete this trip using public transport. The KTX train connects Seoul directly to Gangneung in two hours, and regional express buses link Seoul to Sokcho and Yangyang cleanly. Local city buses and inexpensive regional taxis easily cover the short distances between bus terminals and beach fronts.

Are props like red scarves available to rent at Jumunjin?

In the peak popularity years following the release of Goblin, local street vendors occasionally set up small stalls renting red scarves and fresh buckwheat flowers near Jumunjin Breakwater. Today, these pop-up rental vendors operate irregularly. If you want specific props for your photos, it is best to bring your own red scarf or floral props along with you from Seoul.

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