Broker Movie Filming Locations: Busan to Incheon

Tracing the Coastline of Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Heartwarming Drama

When Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda set out to film Broker (2022), he turned South Korea’s southeastern coastline into a sprawling, quiet character of its own. Starring Song Kang-ho, Gang Dong-won, Lee Ji-eun (IU), and Bae Doona, the film tracks an unexpected makeshift family traveling in a beat-up van from the southern port city of Busan, through the windy shores of Pohang and Yeongdeok, all the way toward Incheon on the western coast. For long-time cinema lovers and IU fans, tracing these broker movie filming locations offers a rare glimpse into South Korea’s authentic coastal backdrops far removed from standard Seoul tourist itineraries.

Unlike high-budget fantasy K-dramas filmed on constructed sets, Broker relies heavily on tangible, everyday Korean spaces: windy breakwaters, vintage amusement parks, regional train hubs, and salt-scented fish markets. Visiting these real-world stops reveals a peaceful, atmospheric side of Korea where sea mist meets suburban nostalgia.

Wolmi Theme Park in Incheon

This seaside amusement park hosts one of the film’s most memorable scenes, where So-young (Lee Ji-eun) and Dong-soo (Gang Dong-won) share a poignant conversation aboard a Ferris wheel elevated high above the gray ocean mist.

In reality, Wolmi Theme Park is a beloved, retro entertainment dock located on Wolmi Island in Incheon. Operating for decades, it is famous among locals for its colorful Ferris wheel, classic carnival games, and the notoriously energetic Disco Pang Pang ride. Unlike polished modern theme parks, Wolmi carries a slightly faded, nostalgic charm that matched the movie’s quiet tone perfectly.

How to get there

Take Incheon Subway Line 1 to Incheon Station (Exit 1). From the station plaza, take Bus 45 or 2 to the Wolmi Theme Park stop. The bus ride takes roughly 10 minutes, dropping you right near the oceanfront boardwalk.

Wolpo Beach in Pohang

During their journey along National Route 7, the group pauses at a wide, quiet beach to breathe in the salty sea air, letting the baby experience the ocean breeze while the adults wander near the breaking waves.

Wolpo Beach is located in the northern reaches of Pohang city in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Known for its clear waters, pebble-mixed sands, and gentle surf, it is a favored weekend getaway for local families and surfers. It lacks the towering skyscraper backdrop of Busan’s Haeundae, giving it an open, wild feeling that feels grounded and peaceful.

How to get there

From Pohang Station (accessible via KTX from Seoul or Busan), take the Donghae Line local commuter train directly to Wolpo Station. From Wolpo Station, the beach is a simple 5-minute walk straight down the main road.

Igari Anchor Observatory in Pohang

As the makeshift family travels northbound, Detective Soo-jin (Bae Doona) quietly trails their van along a winding coastal highway, observing them against dramatic ocean vistas.

This scene highlights the striking Igari Anchor Observatory, a red-and-white pier shaped like a ship’s anchor that extends 102 meters into the East Sea. Nestled against a pine forest backdrop, the boardwalk offers panoramic views of the crashing waves beneath your feet. It is a scenic public park site open daily, though walkways can close temporarily during high waves or heavy winds.

How to get there

From Pohang Intercity Bus Terminal, take Bus 510 heading toward Cheongha. Alight at the Igari Beach stop and walk approximately 7 to 10 minutes along the coastal trail to reach the anchor structure.

Busan Jagalchi Market and Port District

The story originates in Busan’s rugged coastal neighborhoods, where Sang-hyun (Song Kang-ho) runs a struggling laundry shop amidst the salty alleys near the port docks.

Jagalchi Market is South Korea’s largest seafood market, stretching along the edge of Nampo-dong and Jung-gu in Busan. While the film’s laundry interior was set nearby in quiet residential lanes around Busan Port, the surrounding streetscapes capture the true pulse of Jagalchi: wooden fish crates, drying squid, steam rising from outdoor eateries, and fishermen tending to blue mooring ropes.

How to get there

Take Busan Subway Line 1 to Jagalchi Station (Exit 10) or Nampo Station (Exit 2). Walk one block toward the waterfront to enter the bustling market lanes.

Make a Day of It

Because these broker movie filming locations span across multiple provinces, planning your trip around regional clusters makes for an effortless coastal road trip.

Region	Local Culinary Highlight	Must-See Nearby Spot
Busan (Jung-gu)	Jagalchi Grilled Fish & Pork Rice Soup (Dwaeji Gukbap)	Yongdusan Park & Gamcheon Culture Village
Pohang (Northern Coast)	Pohang 물회 (Mulhoe / Cold Raw Fish Soup)	Space Walk at Hwanho Park
Incheon (Wolmido)	Incheon Seafood Calamari Noodle Soup & Jjajangmyeon	Incheon Chinatown & Open Port Area

When visiting Pohang, pair your trip to Wolpo Beach with a visit to the Hwanho Park Space Walk—a thrilling walkable roller-coaster art structure offering stunning views of the coast. Don’t leave without tasting local Mulhoe, a refreshing cold spicy raw fish soup served with ice broth.

When exploring Incheon’s Wolmido, walk 15 minutes inland to Incheon Chinatown for authentic Korean-style Jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles), then wander through the historic Open Port Quarter filled with preserved late-19th-century red-brick architecture.

Photo Tips

To capture the exact cinematic atmosphere seen on screen, keep these simple photography recommendations in mind:

• Wolmi Theme Park Ferris Wheel: Visit in the late afternoon just before sunset. Frame your photo looking up from the boardwalk toward the wheel so you catch both the retro passenger gondolas and the golden glow reflecting off the West Sea tide.
• Igari Anchor Observatory: Walk to the far end of the anchor pier looking back toward the mainland. Use a wide-angle lens or phone mode to capture the red-roofed observatory tower framing the lush green pine forest behind it.
• Wolpo Beach: Morning light yields the calmest, clearest blue tones over the East Sea, echoing the calm, reflective mood of the film’s shore break scenes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you travel from Busan to Incheon following the movie’s route?

Yes! You can drive along National Route 7, which hugs the scenic East Coast from Busan through Pohang and Gangneung, before cutting west toward Incheon. Public transit travelers can easily mirror this using KTX high-speed trains between Busan, Pohang, and Seoul/Incheon.

Are the amusement park rides at Wolmi Theme Park open year-round?

Wolmi Theme Park operates year-round, though operating hours vary depending on season and weather conditions. High winds or heavy rains may cause outdoor rides like the Ferris wheel to pause temporarily. Always check local weather before making the trip.

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

While a rental car offers the greatest flexibility along Pohang’s coastal highway, every major location listed in this guide—including Wolpo Beach, Wolmido, and Jagalchi Market—is accessible via public subways, KTX trains, and regional city buses.

Keep Reading

• Bong Joon-ho Locations: Parasite and Beyond
• The Host Movie Locations on the Han River, Seoul
• Korean Movie Set Tours & K-Drama History
• Timeless Journeys: Exploring Classic K-Drama & Film Locations in Korea