Real Goblin K-Drama Filming Locations to Visit in Seoul

Whenever late autumn rolls into Seoul, the crisp chill in the air always makes me want to wrap up in a long trench coat, grab a warm coffee, and rewatch Goblin: The Lonely and Great God. Even years after its broadcast, the fantasy romance starring Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook, and Yoo In-na remains an absolute classic among local viewers and international travelers alike. What made the show so visually mesmerizing was how seamlessly it blended ancient Korean folklore with the quiet, everyday romance of modern Seoul.

While the dramatic ocean breakwater scene was filmed out in Gangneung on the east coast, Seoul itself holds many of the show’s most emotionally charged locations. From historic stone walls along royal palaces to hidden pedestrian bridges and retro street art alleys, you can easily walk in the footsteps of the Goblin and his bride during a simple afternoon trip. Here is a practical, local breakdown of the top Goblin drama locations to visit in Seoul, how to get to each spot, and how to enjoy them respectfully.

Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway (Jeongdong-gil)

This iconic stone-paved path is where Kim Shin and the Grim Reaper first make eye contact through a gap in the stone wall early in the series, setting up their legendary roomie dynamic. It is also the backdrop where the Goblin quietly watches Ji Eun-tak walk past under his umbrella in the rain.

In real life, this romantic walkway is known as Jeongdong-gil, hugging the outer stone wall of Deoksugung Palace in central Seoul. It is widely considered one of the most picturesque pedestrian streets in the entire city, especially during autumn when the golden ginkgo trees overhang the traditional stone structure. Local urban legend once claimed that couples who walk down this path together will eventually break up, but today it is simply loved as a serene escape from the surrounding skyscraper district.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 1 or Line 2 to City Hall Station. Head toward Exit 1 or Exit 12. As soon as you step outside, look for the stone wall directly adjacent to the entrance of Deoksugung Palace. Turn onto the pedestrian street running alongside the wall and walk slowly down Jeongdong-gil.

Central High School (Chungang High School)

This majestic, castle-like building serves as the high school attended by Ji Eun-tak in the drama. Multiple memorable scenes were filmed along its ivy-covered courtyard, including her everyday walks to class and quiet conversations outside the main gates.

In reality, this is Chungang High School, a functioning historic private school located at the top of the Bukchon Hanok Village neighborhood. Established in 1908, the campus features striking Gothic-style brick architecture that feels more like a European university than a typical Korean high school. Because this is an active educational institution, visitors are not allowed to wander freely inside the classrooms during school hours. However, fans can admire the dramatic main entrance from the public street outside, and the school sometimes opens its courtyard to the public on weekends, subject to campus policy.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 3 to Anguk Station and leave through Exit 3. Walk straight north through the main artery of Bukchon-ro for roughly 10 to 15 minutes, moving upward past the traditional hanok houses. You will find the grand brick entrance of Central High School situated right at the end of the road.

Yongdap Station Pedestrian Bridge

This elevated green pedestrian overpass is the exact spot where the Grim Reaper and Sunny meet for the very first time over an emerald ring sold by a street vendor. The bridge reappears multiple times throughout the drama whenever the pair cross paths or longingly pause while looking out over the train tracks.

This location is the Yongdap Station Pedestrian Bridge, an ordinary concrete overpass spanning the subway tracks near Cheonggyecheon Stream in eastern Seoul. Despite being a simple commuter bridge for neighborhood residents, the show’s soft cinematography transformed its metallic railings and arched covered walkways into a melancholy symbol of fate. Standing on the bridge gives you an open view of passing subway cars and the quiet residential district below.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 2 (the Seongsu branch line) to Yongdap Station and exit via Exit 2. The exit leads directly onto the elevated pedestrian bridge featured in the show. If coming from main Line 2, you can transfer at Seongsu Station or walk over from Sindap Station on Line 2/Ui LRT.

Seongsu-dong Wall Painting Alley

This vibrant wall is where Eun-tak accidentally summons Kim Shin while blowing out a fire she started in a small pile of trash behind a building. Kim Shin suddenly appears leaning coolly against a yellow painted mural while holding a book, caught entirely off guard by her summons.

Located in the trendy Seongsu-dong district, this spot was originally known for the iconic yellow wall painting associated with a famous Korean coffee mix brand. While mural art in Seongsu-dong frequently changes and updates as the neighborhood evolves into Seoul’s premier fashion and creative hub, the narrow alleyways around this block still preserve the gritty yet artistic industrial backdrop seen in the series. Visiting this spot puts you right in the heart of one of Seoul’s most exciting neighborhoods for cafe culture.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 2 to Seongsu Station and leave through Exit 4. Walk south down Seongsu-ui-ro for about 5 minutes, then turn left into the quiet alleyways near the main street behind the local shop fronts.

Make a Day of It

Because several of these locations sit near major tourist hubs, you can easily group them into a smooth full-day itinerary without spending hours on transit.

Start your morning around Anguk Station. Before walking up to Central High School, stop by a local bakery in Samcheong-dong for coffee and pastries. After snapping photos outside the high school gates, stroll downhill through Bukchon Hanok Village to admire traditional Korean architecture. From there, it is a short subway ride or a pleasant 20-minute walk down to Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway near City Hall.

For lunch or an afternoon break near Deoksugung, visit the Jeongdong Observatory located on the 13th floor of the Seoul Metropolitan Government Seosomun Building. It offers an incredible overhead view of Deoksugung Palace and the surrounding tree-lined walkway for the price of a cup of tea.

In the late afternoon, take Line 2 over to Seongsu-dong. Explore the street art alleyways, visit concept stores in converted shoe factories, and grab dinner at one of the neighborhood’s modern Korean eateries. Finish your evening by riding Line 2 to Yongdap Station to catch the sunset or nighttime cityscape from the pedestrian bridge.

Photo Tips

To recreate the exact mood of Goblin in your photos, framing and timing are everything:

• Deoksugung Walkway: Shoot at eye level parallel to the curve of the stone wall. For the softest lighting, visit during late morning or during late autumn when yellow ginkgo leaves blanket the pavement.
• Yongdap Station Bridge: Stand in the center of the covered pedestrian walkway facing down the length of the green railings. Late afternoon golden hour creates beautiful long shadows across the concrete floor just like in the drama.
• Central High School: Angle your camera upward from the main sidewalk outside the gates to capture the dramatic archway and gothic spires in the background. Please remain quiet and avoid blocking student pathways.

FAQ

Can you visit the Goblin’s mansion inside Duksung Women’s University?

The exterior of the Goblin’s grand residence was filmed at Unhyeongung Yanggwan (the French Renaissance-style Western Building) located inside the Jongno campus of Duksung Women’s University. However, because it sits on private university grounds, public access to the building exterior is frequently restricted or closed to tourists for safety and privacy reasons. Visitors should respect campus security signs and admire the gates only from public areas.

Is the famous breakwater scene located in Seoul?

No, the iconic scene where Eun-tak first summons Kim Shin while holding a bouquet of buckwheat flowers was not filmed in Seoul. It was shot at the Jumunjin Breakwater in Gangneung, Gangwon-do, located on the eastern coast of Korea. It takes roughly two to three hours to reach Jumunjin from Seoul by KTX train and local bus.

What is the best time of year to visit these Goblin locations in Seoul?

Late October through mid-November is the absolute best time to visit. The autumn foliage along Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway and around Bukchon match the rich, moody color palette of the series perfectly. Early spring (April) is also lovely when cherry blossoms bloom along the streams near Yongdap Bridge.

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