Drama locations in Gangneung and Gangwon

Long-loved spots include the breakwater at Jumunjin, Gangneung (Goblin), Jeongdongjin (Sandglass), Nami Island in Chuncheon (Winter Sonata) and Abai Village in Sokcho (Autumn in My Heart). With sea, mountains and snowy scenery, Gangwon suits many genres. Check the province's official tourism information for details.

The breakwater known from the tvN drama Goblin (2016 to 2017), where the leads have a memorable early encounter, is on the Jumunjin coast in Gangneung. Many visitors pose there with flowers to recreate the scene. On days with high waves, stay away from the end of the breakwater, and check Gangneung's tourism information for directions.

Jeongdongjin became famous after appearing in the SBS drama Sandglass (1995). Jeongdongjin Station, right by the sea, is also known as a sunrise spot. A pine tree there was even nicknamed the Sandglass pine after the drama. It gets very crowded at New Year sunrise.

Nami Island sits in the Bukhangang River and became hugely popular with overseas visitors after the KBS drama Winter Sonata (2002) was filmed there. Its metasequoia and ginkgo tree lanes are famous. Administratively it belongs to Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, but you reach it by ferry from a dock in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do.

Abai Village was founded by refugees from Hamgyeong Province who settled there during the Korean War. It became known as a filming location for the KBS drama Autumn in My Heart (2000). The rope-pulled ferry called gaetbae and dishes like Abai sundae, a stuffed squid or sausage, are famous.

A set used for scenes in the KBS drama Descendants of the Sun (2016) remained in a former mining area of Taebaek, Gangwon-do, and has been used as a tourist spot. It recreates the military base atmosphere of the drama's fictional country. Check Taebaek City's official information on whether it is maintained and open.

Yongpyong Resort in Pyeongchang is known as a location for some scenes of Winter Sonata. Its ski slopes and mountain views evoke the atmosphere of winter dramas. For facility use and operating details, check the resort's official information before visiting.

You can travel from Seoul to Gangneung by the KTX Gangneung Line or by express bus. From central Gangneung, buses, taxis or trains connect to Jumunjin and Jeongdongjin. Tickets sell out quickly in peak season, so book ahead. Buses run from Gangneung Station toward the coast.

Anmok Beach Coffee Street is a row of cafés along the sea that helped make Gangneung known as a coffee city. It is a great place to recall seaside café scenes from dramas and variety shows. Rather than seeking one specific café, simply choose one with a sea view.

Winter suits snowy scenes like Winter Sonata, summer is best for beaches, and autumn brings brilliant foliage in the mountains. Mountain roads can be icy in winter, so drive carefully or use public transport. Check weather forecasts before you go.

The Gangneung Danoje Festival is held around Dano, the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It was proclaimed a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005 and placed on the Representative List in 2008. It features shamanic rites, mask dances and ssireum wrestling. Dates change each year, so check official announcements.

From Gapyeong Station, take a bus or taxi to the Gapyeong ferry dock, then board a boat to the island. From Seoul, subway lines or ITX trains reach Gapyeong Station. Check Nami Island's official information for ferry and entry details.

The East Sea often has high waves, so climbing breakwaters or rocks can be dangerous. If swell risk information or weather warnings are issued, keep away from the shore. In an emergency, call 119. Always prioritise safety over getting the perfect drama photo, and take extra care with children.

Well-known dishes include Chodang soft tofu in Gangneung, Abai sundae and stuffed squid in Sokcho, and dakgalbi and makguksu buckwheat noodles in Chuncheon. Local markets offer a wide variety. Exploring neighbourhood restaurants rather than one famous shop is part of the fun.

As a popular spot, visitors often queue to take photos, so wait your turn. The breakwater can be slippery, so do not climb onto high or wet sections. Take any props, such as flowers, home with you so they do not end up as litter.

Cities like Gangneung, Sokcho and Chuncheon are accessible by bus and train, but mountain locations have infrequent buses. A rental car or tour can be easier if you plan to visit several spots. Check timetables in a map app ahead of time.

Winter Sonata (2002) is often cited as a drama that led the early Korean Wave, especially through its huge popularity in Japan. Overseas visitors to its locations, such as Nami Island and Chuncheon, increased dramatically. It is regarded as a textbook case of drama tourism.

Chuncheon has had sculptures and signs related to Winter Sonata at certain spots. Some have changed or disappeared over time, so check Chuncheon City's official tourism information. Nami Island also has drama-related statues that many fans enjoy photographing. Fans often take photos at the same spots as in the drama.

An East Coast route can link Sokcho, Jumunjin, Gangneung and Jeongdongjin, while an inland route covers Chuncheon and Nami Island. The two areas are far apart, so split them into separate days. Staying overnight near Jeongdongjin is an option if you want to catch the sunrise.

Official tourism information from Gangwon State and its cities and counties, as well as the Gangwon Film Commission, are good sources. Some sets have been removed or changed, so confirm the latest details before visiting any location you saw on screen.