Sokcho K-Drama Filming Locations: Seaside Day Trip

Sokcho Seaside K-Drama Locations Day Trip

When the sea breeze hits Sokcho’s coast, you can almost hear the soft piano melodies from classic Korean television floating across the water. Located on the northeastern shore of Gangwon Province, Sokcho sits squeezed between the granite peaks of Seoraksan National Park and the turquoise waters of the East Sea. For decades, directors have flocked to this coastal city to capture scenes of bittersweet longing, quiet romance, and nostalgic childhood reunions.

While modern productions often film in sleek Seoul neighborhoods, Sokcho offers something timeless: retro ferry landings, dramatic coastal cliff walks, pine-fringed beaches, and cozy port neighborhoods. Whether you fell in love with K-dramas through early 2000s classics like Autumn in My Heart or modern romantic dramas like Encounter, Sokcho lets you step directly inside those frames. Here is your local-approved itinerary for exploring the most iconic Sokcho K-drama filming locations in a single, well-planned day trip.

1. Abai Village and the Gaetbae Ferry

In the beloved drama Autumn in My Heart, this historic neighborhood serves as the backdrop for Eun-seo’s humble childhood home and her family’s small stationery shop. The iconic manual ferry crossing is where the lead characters pass each other across the narrow canal, unaware of their tragic proximity.

In real life, Abai Village is a unique cultural enclave originally settled by North Korean refugees from Hamgyong Province who fled south during the Korean War. The village is famously connected to downtown Sokcho by the Gaetbae, a human-powered ferry pulled along submerged steel cables using wooden hand-hooks. Passengers are even encouraged to grab a hook and help pull the boat across the water!

How to get there

From the Sokcho Express Bus Terminal, take local bus 1, 7, or 9 heading northbound and get off at the Sokcho Tourism & Fish Market (Jungang Market) stop. Walk three minutes toward the riverfront dock to find the Gaetbae boarding area. Alternatively, a taxi from the bus terminal takes less than 10 minutes. Please note that ferry operations run continuously throughout the day but can pause during storm warnings; check weather forecasts before traveling.

2. Oeongchi Bada Hyanggi-ro Coastal Walk

In Encounter, Song Hye-kyo and Park Bo-gum share a poignant moment walking along a quiet wooden boardwalk built over crashing coastal waves, reflecting on their tender connection away from the pressures of Seoul.

This location is the Oeongchi Bada Hyanggi-ro (Sea Fragrance Road), a spectacular 890-meter boardwalk that winds along coastal rock formations. For over 60 years, this headland was completely closed to the public for military defense reasons, preserving its pristine shoreline and dense pine vegetation. It reopened to visitors in 2018, featuring designated observation decks, historic military guard posts left in place as cultural markers, and clear views of the East Sea horizon.

How to get there

From the Sokcho Express Bus Terminal, take local bus 9 or 9-1 heading south toward Daepo Port and alight at the Oeongchi Beach stop. The northern entrance to the walking path begins right at the edge of Oeongchi Beach near the Lotte Resort Sokcho. The path is open during daylight hours only and may close during heavy swell conditions, so always verify local trail access on arrival.

3. Sokcho Beach and the Pine Forest Promenade

This wide sandy stretch appears in multiple dramas and variety broadcasts, including memorable dates in Encounter and seaside sequences from regional romantic shows where characters walk under tall coastal pines before reaching the sea.

Sokcho Beach is the city’s main public beach, famous for its soft white sand, clear blue waters, and clean promenade lined with pine trees. In recent years, it has become even more famous for the Sokcho Eye, a massive waterfront Ferris wheel that offers panoramic views over the coastline and Seoraksan mountains. The beach features several photo-worthy art installations along the sand, making it a favorite spot for travelers taking commemorative photos.

How to get there

Sokcho Beach is exceptionally easy to reach on foot. From the Sokcho Express Bus Terminal, walk east down Haeoreum-ro for about 500 meters (a 5 to 7-minute flat walk), and you will arrive directly at the main entrance and pine promenade.

4. Yeonggeumjeong Pavilion

Featured in classic culinary drama Sikgaek (Gourmet) and numerous travel-themed drama sequences, this rocky outcrop provides dramatic cinematic shots of waves crashing against traditional Korean pavilion architecture.

Yeonggeumjeong refers to the rocky coastal area at the edge of Dongmyeong Port. Legend says the sound of waves hitting the granite rocks sounded like a traditional Korean string instrument (gayageum), giving the area its musical name. Today, visitors can walk along a long stone bridge extending out over the ocean to a wooden pavilion resting on a rock platform, as well as an elevated hillside pavilion offering elevated views over Dongmyeong Harbor.

How to get there

From the Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal, take local bus 1 or 7 northbound for 3 stops to Dongmyeong Port entrance, or simply take a 15-minute walk from the terminal toward the coast. The bridge and lower pavilion are freely accessible year-round.

Make a Day of It

Sokcho is as much a food lover’s paradise as it is a cinephile’s dream. Between location visits, fuel your trip with these famous regional dishes:

• Abai Sundae & Ojingeo Sundae: Located right inside Abai Village, local eateries serve squid-stuffed sausages filled with seasoned sticky rice, vegetables, and pork—a culinary tradition brought south by North Korean refugees.
• Sokcho Central Market Dakgangjeong: Head to Sokcho Tourism & Fish Market to try sweet and crunchy boneless glazed fried chicken topped with peanuts, the city’s most famous street food snack.
• Mulhoe (Cold Raw Fish Soup): Around Dongmyeong Port and Port Jangsa, taste fresh sliced catch served in a chilled, tangy, spicy broth with vegetables and thin noodles.

Spot	Main Drama Connection	Key Highlight
Abai Village	Autumn in My Heart	Manual Gaetbae Ferry
Oeongchi Trail	Encounter	Seaside Boardwalk
Sokcho Beach	Encounter / Local Shows	Pine Promenade & Views
Yeonggeumjeong	Sikgaek	Ocean Pavilion Bridge

Photo Tips

For the classic Autumn in My Heart shot, stand near the wooden boarding platform at Abai Village as the Gaetbae ferry approaches, keeping the red metal bridge in the upper corner of your frame. The best light hits the canal during late afternoon, creating a warm golden-hour glow across the water.

At the Oeongchi Bada Hyanggi-ro path, set your camera low on the wooden deck to capture the curving boardwalk stretching off toward the ocean cliffs behind you. Morning sunlight provides the clearest blue water background without heavy shadows cast by the cliffs.

FAQ

How long does it take to travel from Seoul to Sokcho?

Express buses from Seoul Express Bus Terminal or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours via the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway, making Sokcho an accessible day trip destination.

How much does the Gaetbae ferry cost in Abai Village?

The Gaetbae ferry costs 1,000 KRW per person each way for adults. Payment is made in cash or via local transportation cards at the ticket kiosk on the Abai Village side.

Are the coastal walking paths in Sokcho stroller or wheelchair accessible?

Sokcho Beach promenade is flat and fully paved. However, the Oeongchi Bada Hyanggi-ro coastal trail contains stair sections and elevated wooden steps, making full wheelchair navigation challenging on certain segments.

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