Camellia Blooms Filming Locations: Visiting Ongsan in Pohang

Discovering Ongsan in the Coastal City of Pohang

When the train pulls into Pohang Station, the salty sea breeze immediately lets you know you have left the fast-paced energy of Seoul behind. Most travelers head straight to the coast for fresh snow crab, but K-drama fans are usually looking for a tiny, nostalgic street lined with wooden buildings where Dong-baek ran her cozy pub. The fictional town of Ongsan, with its tight-knit community, quirky crab restaurant owners, and coastal countryside charm, came to life right here in the Guryeongpo neighborhood of Pohang.

Released in 2019, When the Camellia Blooms captured hearts worldwide thanks to its heartwarming blend of romance, neighborhood comedy, and small-town mystery. Watching Dong-baek (played by Gong Hyo-jin) build a life for herself alongside the relentlessly supportive police officer Hwang Yong-sik (played by Kang Ha-neul) made viewers fall in love not just with the characters, but with the setting itself. The good news for travelers is that Ongsan is not a studio backlot. You can walk down the exact same alleyways, sit on the very stairs featured in the poster, and look out over the East Sea.

Visiting these spots feels like walking straight into a frame of the drama. Because Pohang sits on the southeastern coast of South Korea, planning a trip requires a bit of transport knowledge, but the payoff is one of the most rewarding K-drama pilgrimage experiences in the country.

Plan Your Visit

Area & Nearest Transit	Rough Time Needed	Rough Budget Range
Guryeongpo Historic Area (Buses 9000 / 200)	2 – 3 hours	Free – 15,000 KRW (snacks/cafes)
Guryeongpo Port & Seafood Docks	1 – 2 hours	15,000 – 50,000 KRW (seafood meal)
Homigot Sunrise Plaza (Bus 9000 / Taxi)	1 – 2 hours	Free (transit fare only)

Note: Figures are estimates for budget planning; please verify hours and access before visiting.

Guryeongpo Modern History Street (Ongsan Alley)

This narrow street serves as the main spine of Ongsan in the show. It is where Dong-baek walks home after work, where Yong-sik trails behind her to keep her safe, and where the local neighborhood mothers run their bustling seafood eateries. Walking down the path, you instantly recognize the vintage wooden structures and retro shop signs that gave the show its warm, nostalgic aesthetic.

In real life, this street is known as Guryeongpo Modern History Street. Originally established during the early 1900s, the area preserves Japanese-style wooden architecture and has been designated as a historical conservation zone by the local government. Today, the buildings house small tea houses, museums, craft shops, and cafes instead of the drama’s fictional shops, but the architectural layout remains identical to what you see on screen.

How to Get There

From Pohang Station (KTX), take City Bus 9000 or Bus 200 heading toward Guryeongpo. Ride the bus for approximately 45 to 60 minutes and get off at the Guryeongpo Bus Terminal stop. From the bus terminal, walk straight for about three minutes toward the main harbor road; the entrance to Guryeongpo Modern History Street is clearly marked with a traditional archway across from the port.

The Camellia Pub Building

In the drama, Dong-baek’s small pub, named Camellia, acts as the emotional heart of the neighborhood. It is where she builds her independence, serves her signature dishes, and shares countless quiet conversations with Yong-sik under the soft outdoor lighting.

In reality, the building used as the exterior of Camellia is a community cultural space called Seolreum (formerly operated as a cultural cafe and local arts center). The exterior looks almost identical to how it appeared during filming, complete with its wooden facade, small courtyard entrance, and vintage glass windows. Local authorities have even maintained decorative touches inspired by the drama, making it one of the most photographed spots in the entire neighborhood.

How to Get There

The building is located directly inside Guryeongpo Modern History Street. After passing through the main entrance gate of the historic street, walk roughly 100 meters down the central alley. Look for the distinctive two-story wooden structure on your right with a small front yard.

Guryeongpo Park Staircase (The Poster Location)

This dramatic stone staircase is where the iconic promotional poster for When the Camellia Blooms was shot. In the show and marketing materials, Dong-baek and Yong-sik sit side by side on these steps, looking down at each other with the backdrop of the blue ocean and tiled rooftops framing the scene behind them.

The stairs lead up to Guryeongpo Park, a hilltop open area that overlooks the entire harbor and historical village. The staircase itself is flanked by historic stone pillars that add a sense of timelessness to the landscape. Standing at the top offers one of the best panoramic views in Pohang, stretching across the clustered roofs of Guryeongpo out to the fishing trawlers anchored in the bay.

How to Get There

You cannot miss this location while exploring the historic street. Midway down Guryeongpo Modern History Street, look for the grand stone staircase rising up the hillside between two large dragon sculptures at the base. Ascend the stairs to reach the top landing where the photo was taken.

Guryeongpo Port and Fishing Docks

The busy harbor area serves as the backdrop for many outdoor scenes where Yong-sik goes on patrol, as well as the seaside spots where the neighborhood women gather to process seafood. The backdrop of tied-up fishing boats and drying nets gives Ongsan its authentic coastal identity throughout the series.

Guryeongpo Port is a major working fishing harbor, famous across Korea as a premier hub for catching red snow crab (*daege*) and processing *gwamegi* (partially dried Pacific saury or herring). The waterfront is lined with busy docks, seafood markets, and traditional ship repair shops, offering a genuine glimpse into Korean maritime life.

How to Get There

The port is situated directly across the main street from Guryeongpo Modern History Street. Simply cross the pedestrian signal at the harbor road to reach the docks and boardwalk area.

Homigot Sunrise Plaza

While slightly further down the coastline, the dramatic coastal landscapes surrounding Homigot were featured in driving sequences and wide atmospheric shots throughout the drama to showcase the raw natural beauty of the Ongsan region.

Homigot Sunrise Plaza is one of Korea’s most famous geographic landmarks, situated on the easternmost tip of the Korean peninsula. It is renowned for the giant bronze sculpture pair called the “Hands of Harmony”—with one hand rising from the ocean floor and the other standing on dry land. It is a popular spot for viewing the first sunrise of the new year.

How to Get There

From the Guryeongpo Bus Terminal, transfer to Bus 9000 (bound for Homigot) or take a local taxi. The drive along the scenic coastal road takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes.

Make a Day of It

Pohang is a vibrant coastal city with a rich culinary culture and striking ocean landscapes. Once you have explored all the When the Camellia Blooms filming locations in Guryeongpo, you can easily spend the rest of your day enjoying local delicacies and visiting nearby attractions.

When it comes to food, Pohang is legendary for its seafood. If you visit between late autumn and early spring, trying fresh snow crab (*daege*) at one of the dozens of harbor-front restaurants in Guryeongpo is essential. Another seasonal local specialty is *gwamegi*, served wrapped in seaweed with fresh garlic and wild chives. For a year-round meal, order a bowl of Pohang-style *mulhoe*—a refreshing cold raw fish soup served with a spicy, icy slush broth and fresh vegetables.

After lunch, consider taking a short trip back toward central Pohang to visit these popular spots:

• Space Walk at Hwanho Park: A massive walkable roller-coaster-style steel sculpture offering breathtaking views of the ocean and cityscape.
• Yeongildae Beach: A lively urban beach featuring a traditional wooden pavilion built over the water, perfect for an evening stroll.
• Igidae-style Coastal Walks: Scenic timber boardwalks hugging the rugged cliffs of the Pohang coastline.

Photo Tips

To recreate the famous poster shot at the Guryeongpo Park stairs, have your photographer stand 4 to 5 steps below you on the staircase. Angle the camera slightly upward while sitting near the top landing. This frames you against the open sky and the sea behind you while cutting out street level obstructions. Visit early in the morning around 9:00 AM; afternoon crowds can make it challenging to capture a clean shot without other travelers on the steps.

At the building used for the Camellia bar, capture your shot from across the narrow alley to frame the full wooden entrance and nostalgic courtyard features in the shot.

Fan Checklist & Etiquette

• Recommended Photo Route: Ongsan Alley Entrance → Camellia Pub Exterior → Guryeongpo Park Staircase → Guryeongpo Port → Homigot Sunrise Plaza.
• Respect Local Residents: Guryeongpo is a real living community; keep noise levels low in residential side alleys.
• Support Local Businesses: Stop for tea, seasonal seafood, or a local snack while visiting filming spots.
• Queue Etiquette: Wait patiently at the poster stairs during peak hours so everyone can capture clean photos.

Key Takeaways

• The fictional town of Ongsan is real and fully walkable in Pohang’s historic Guryeongpo neighborhood.
• Major show locations—including Ongsan Alley, the Camellia pub exterior, and the famous poster staircase—are closely grouped together near Guryeongpo Port.
• Direct city buses connect Pohang KTX Station to Guryeongpo, making it a simple day trip from Seoul or Busan.
• Visiting early in the morning helps avoid long photo queues at the staircase and offers the best lighting for coastal photos.

Keep Reading

• Gyeonggi-do K-Drama Day Trips: Crash Landing, Goblin
• K-Drama Hanok Village Tour in Seoul
• K-Drama Cafe Filming Locations in Seoul
• Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo Filming Locations