4 Gangneung KDrama Filming Locations You Can Visit by Bus

The cold sea breeze coming off the East Sea at Jumunjin Beach can turn an umbrella inside out within seconds, yet fans stand in line wearing red scarves regardless of the tide. Gangneung, a coastal city in Gangwon Province just two hours east of Seoul by high-speed train, has long been a favorite getaway for Koreans. However, its dramatic mix of rolling pine forests, historic Joseon architecture, and turquoise ocean waters has turned it into an essential destination for international drama lovers.

From the melancholic ocean breakwaters seen in supernatural hits to the serene traditional pavilions featured in period masterpieces, Gangneung allows you to step directly into the frames of beloved shows. Visiting these locations is straightforward if you know how local transit works, making it entirely feasible as a single-day excursion or a relaxed weekend itinerary.

Jumunjin Breakwater: The Iconic Goblin Meeting Spot

This ocean breakwater is where Ji Eun-tak accidentally summons Kim Shin for the very first time on her birthday in Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God), receiving a bouquet of buckwheat flowers against crashing blue waves. In real life, the location consists of several concrete breakwaters built along the coastline near Jumunjin Beach to mitigate wave erosion.

While there are three similar breakwaters lined up along this stretch of coast, the exact filming spot is marked by a modest photo sign on the sidewalk nearby. The breakwater extends straight into the turquoise sea, offering an unobstructed view of the horizon. Keep in mind that high tides or stormy weather can make the waves wash right over the concrete path, so stay attentive to safety warnings posted along the seawall.

How to Get There

From Gangneung Station (KTX), walk to the bus stop outside Exit 1 and board Express Bus 300 or City Bus 302. Ride the bus for approximately 40 to 50 minutes until you reach the Jumunjin Beach / Haean-ro stop. From there, walk straight toward the ocean for three minutes until you see the seawall and the designated photo queue point.

Photo Tips

To recreate the iconic frame, have your photographer stand near the base of the breakwater on the sandy shore, shooting slightly upward while you stand near the tip facing the sea. Mid-morning offers the clearest lighting, as late afternoon light can cause strong backlighting off the water. Bringing a bright red scarf provides a striking contrast against the dark sea and grey stones.

Gangneung Seongyojang House: Timeless Joseon Elegance

This centuries-old estate serves as the backdrop for numerous historical television series, including Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, The Princess’s Man, and Hwang Jin Yi. It frequently represents the tranquil residence of Joseon nobles where characters stroll past lotus ponds, share quiet conversations under wooden eaves, or hide amidst historic courtyard walls.

In reality, Seongyojang is a vast, remarkably preserved upper-class residential complex built by the Yi family over 300 years ago during the Joseon Dynasty. Designated as an Important Folklore Cultural Heritage site, the estate features over 100 rooms, traditional Hanok guest houses, and Hwallaijeong—a small, picturesque pavilion standing right over a lotus pond near the entry gates. Dense pine forests hug the hillside behind the estate, offering shade and quiet walking paths.

How to Get There

Board City Bus 202 from the bus stop directly across from Gangneung KTX Station. Ride for about 20 minutes and disembark at the Seongyojang stop. The main visitor entrance is less than a two-minute walk from the bus shelter. Always double-check current visiting hours online before heading out, as entry access closes earlier during winter months.

Photo Tips

The best shot is taken at Hwallaijeong Pavilion when the lotus pond is filled with green leaves in summer or framed by soft light in late autumn. Frame your photo through the square wooden window frames inside the open pavilions to capture the surrounding garden, mimicking the artistic cinematography favored by period drama directors.

Hyangho Beach Bus Stop: K-Pop and Drama Pop-Culture Landmark

Located just north of Jumunjin, this solitary coastal bus shelter was constructed as an album cover shoot location for BTS’s You Never Walk Alone, but has since featured prominently across Korean travel shows, music videos, and drama scenes highlighting coastal youth escapes. Characters in contemporary slice-of-life dramas often visit spots like this during coastal road trips to reflect by the water.

The location is not an active public transit stop, but rather a permanent beachside installation built by the local city government specifically for visitors. Set against fine white sand and bright blue ocean waters, the simple dark blue shelter contains wooden benches overlooking the horizon. A surrounding pine tree grove adds a fresh coastal aroma to the air.

How to Get There

From the Jumunjin Breakwater, stay on coastal Bus 300 or 302 heading north for another 10 minutes until you reach the Hyangho Beach entrance stop. Walk along the designated coastal boardwalk toward the beach for five minutes until the blue bus shelter comes into view on the sand.

Photo Tips

Sit centered on the wooden bench inside the structure while your camera operator takes the photo straight-on from across the paved pedestrian path. Early morning is ideal to avoid long lines and to capture the calm morning sun lighting up the eastern sea without harsh shadows.

Jeongdongjin Beach and Station: Classic Romance by the Rails

Jeongdongjin Station gained legendary status through the classic Korean drama Sandglass, and more recently provided scenic seaside train tracks for modern fantasy series like Legend of the Blue Sea. In these scenes, characters often arrive by train to watch the sunrise or say emotional farewells on platforms that face directly onto the breaking ocean waves.

Recognized in Guinness World Records as the railway station located closest to the sea anywhere in the world, Jeongdongjin combines functioning train tracks with direct beach access. Beyond the tracks lie sandy beaches, dramatic coastal cliffs, and a scenic seaside boardwalk. A short distance away sits the prominent cruise-ship-shaped hotel atop the coastal mountain, making the skyline instantly recognizable.

How to Get There

The easiest option is taking a local train directly from Gangneung Station. Hop on the KTX-Eum or a regional commuter train bound for Jeongdongjin Station; the trip takes roughly 15 minutes. Alternatively, take City Bus 109 from central Gangneung, which takes about 35 to 40 minutes along coastal winding roads.

Photo Tips

Take your photo along the pedestrian platform path inside the station complex where the train tracks run parallel to the open ocean. The classic view is captured right at sunrise when the orange sky reflects off the sea, though mid-afternoon offers crisp blue horizons that look equally dramatic.

Make a Day of It: Nearby Eats and Scenic Stops

Gangneung is as famous for its local culinary traditions as it is for coastal filming sites. Connecting your drama tour with local food spots makes for a complete cultural day trip.

Neighborhood	What to Try	Why Visit
Chodang Tofu Village	Soft Tofu Stew (Soondubu) & Tofu Gelato	Famous local culinary hub using clean ocean water to set artisanal bean curd.
Anmok Beach Coffee Street	Hand Drip Coffee & Bakery Snacks	A oceanfront strip lined with multi-story cafes offering floor-to-ceiling sea views.
Gangneung Central Market	Crispy Sweet Chicken (Dakgangjeong)	A bustling traditional market perfect for sampling street food snacks between stops.

After visiting Seongyojang, head directly to Chodang Tofu Village located just five minutes away by taxi. Sample warm, uncurdled soft tofu served in broth, followed by a dish of soft tofu gelato from one of the artisanal dessert shops near the village entrance. To unwind before your train ride back to Seoul, take a bus to Anmok Beach, grab a cup of hot coffee at an oceanfront cafe, and watch the waves from a high floor window.

FAQ

Can I visit all these Gangneung filming locations in a single day trip from Seoul?

Yes, it is manageable if you start early. Take an 8:00 AM KTX train from Seoul Station to Gangneung (approx. 2 hours). Focus your morning on Seongyojang and central Gangneung, head north to Jumunjin and Hyangho Beach in the afternoon, and catch an evening train back to Seoul from Gangneung Station.

Is it hard to get around Gangneung using public buses?

Main public buses like Route 300 run frequently along the major coastal strip connecting central Gangneung, Jumunjin, and nearby beaches. However, bus schedules in coastal areas can sometimes vary. Downloading local navigation apps like Naver Maps or KakaoMap gives accurate real-time bus arrival information in English.

Do I need to bring props like buckwheat flowers to Jumunjin Breakwater?

Local vendors occasionally sell small replica flower bouquets and red scarves near the breakwater entrance on busy weekends, but availability is not guaranteed. If you want specific photo props for your visit, it is best to purchase them in Seoul or central Gangneung before taking the bus out to the beach.

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